Early Excellence Podcast

Emma Yiend joins us this week as we discuss the positive impact of child-centred practice and learning environments which inspire thoughts and challenge thinking. Episode Links Join the Early Excellence Early Years Leaders Conference 2026/27 Transform Your Classroom with an Expertly Designed Room Plan Discover our Block Area Collections Mentioned in this episode: Join our Conference for Early Years Leaders https://earlyexcellence.com/early-years-leaders-conference/ Join us for an inspiring Early Excellence national conference centred on developing Curriculum and Foundational Knowledge in the Early Years.

Angela Thorogood joins us from St Mary's Primary School in Whitstable as we discuss how visits to the local area can provide rich learning experiences. Episode Links Explore more about St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Whitstable Read our blog "The Outdoor Curriculum in all its Glory" Discover our Outdoor Learning Provision & Practice for 3-7yrs Mentioned in this episode: Join our Conference for Early Years Leaders https://earlyexcellence.com/early-years-leaders-conference/ Join us for an inspiring Early Excellence national conference centred on developing Curriculum and Foundational Knowledge in the Early Years.

Emma Boor from Wild Boor Ideas joins us this week as we discuss the use of puppets and drama with young children.

Occupational Therapist Helen Buteux joins us this week on the podcast. She shares insights on physical development in the EYFS, the importance of foundational skills, and how occupational therapy can support children and families. This conversation highlights practical advice for parents and educators to foster healthy development from pregnancy through preschool. Episode Links Read our Blog on The Importance of Fine Motor Skills in the EYFS Download our Free Outdoor Provision Audit Tool Explore our Upcoming Conference for Early Years Leaders Mentioned in this episode: Join our Conference for Early Years Leaders https://earlyexcellence.com/early-years-leaders-conference/ Join us for an inspiring Early Excellence national conference centred on developing Curriculum and Foundational Knowledge in the Early Years.

Becky Lindsay joins us this week on the podcast as we discuss child-centred, research informed SEND practice. Episode Links Meet the Needs of Children with SEND in the Early Years

Nancy Stewart joins us for this week’s episode of the podcast as we explore the new Birth to 5 Matters document following its official launch in July. We explore the new features included in the materials and also revisit the key principles which remain so central. Episode Links Find out more about Birth to 5 Matters and download the materials

Join us as Jules Pottle, an expert in storytelling and education, shares innovative methods to integrate storytelling into teaching science, drama, and literacy. Discover how engaging narratives can transform learning experiences for children from early years to primary school. Episode Links Storytelling in the Blocks and Small World Area Download our free Blocks Area Planning Guide

Stephen Kilgour joins us as we discuss the key principles of effective assessment in the EYFS. Episode Links Find Out About our Early Excellence Assessment Suite Join Us for Training as we Explore Effective Practice in the Reception Year Explore Effective Continuous Provision Planning

Could regular trips to the beach be one of the most powerful things a setting can offer young children? Re-release: Originally aired on 14 Feb 2025 Rhianne Stephens from Ely and Caerau Integrated Children's Centre in Cardiff joins us to talk about their year-round beach visits and the impact connecting with nature has had on the children in their care. Episode Links Discover our Range of Outdoor Resources

In a world that keeps speeding up, what does it mean to slow down — and why might that be exactly what young children need? Re-release: Originally aired on 5 May 2023 Alison Clark joins us to discuss her book Slow Knowledge and the Unhurried Child, making the case for slow pedagogies in early childhood education and exploring the pressures that work against them. Episode Links Watch the Slow Pedagogy: Making Time for Children's Learning and Development video clip Order a copy of Slow Knowledge and the Unhurried Child

What does it really mean to love the children in your care — and why does it matter so much in early years settings? Re-release: Originally aired on 31 Jan 2025 Dr Jools Page joins us to explore her research on professional love in EYFS settings, and what it looks like when practitioners get this right. Episode Links Watch the Video "Professional Love: The Dance of Reciprocity" Read the Blog "What is Professional Love?" Explore EYFS CPD Training

What happens when young children and older generations share the same space — and the same daily life? Re-release: Originally aired on 13 Sep 2024 Judith Ish-Horowicz, co-founder and director of the UK's first intergenerational nursery, talks us through the inspiring work at Apples and Honey Nightingale and the benefits it brings for everyone involved. Episode Links Watch Judith Ish-Horowicz presenting a TEDx Talk about her work Find out more about Apples and Honey Nightingale CIC

What's it actually like to go through a pilot Ofsted inspection — and what did the focus on EYFS look like in practice? Re-release: Originally aired on 30 Jan 2026 Leanne Foster shares her first-hand experience of a pilot Ofsted inspection, including the conversations her team had with inspectors and what schools can take from the process. Episode Links Explore more from Ofsted at our Senior Leader Briefing Stay up to date with our Early Years Update Blogs

Mixed-age classes can work brilliantly — but what happens when change is driven by necessity rather than vision? Re-release: Originally aired on 13 Feb 2026 Anne Brass and Kate Gingles join us to discuss the complexities schools face with mixed-age classes, from establishing a clear guiding purpose to navigating structural change with limited guidance available. Episode Links Order our New Guide to Mixed-Age Classes Discover more from Education Durham Download the Free School Leader Reflection Tool on Mixed-Age Classes Find out more about the Education Durham Mixed Phase Magic guidance books

What can visual art experiences really unlock for young children — and how do you make the most of them in practice? Re-release: Originally aired on 27 Mar 2026 Dr Gai Lindsay joins us to explore the rich learning opportunities that visual art experiences offer young children, with practical guidance for teachers and practitioners on bringing creativity to life in their settings. Episode Links Explore Dr Gai Lindsay's website Order a copy of her book on Amazon Discover Early Excellence resources to facilitate creativity

Lucy Fox from Stoke Primary School in Coventry joins us for this week’s episode, as we explore the impact of screen-free practice in the EYFS. Episode Links Read the Blog: Block Play Alongside Small World Resources Read the Blog: Navigating the Sea of Talk - why language-rich environments go beyond labels and key words Explore language-rich environment resources on the Inspiration Hub App

What does it look like when a whole city gets behind children's communication and language? Re-release: Originally aired on 17 Apr 2026 Rachel Shearer and Martin Cumming join us to explore Early Talk for York — a citywide initiative aimed at closing the communication and language gap in young children, and what it takes to make that kind of joined-up approach work. Episode Links Explore the Early Talk for York Initiative Read about Developing Language in the Early Years Discover our Communication and Language CPD

Role play is our focus this week as we welcome Becky Hoare to the podcast. Becky is a Primary Teacher and the Founder of Pop Up Play Village Ltd. We discuss children’s natural desire to role play what they see in the world around them. There is lots of key advice here too for developing effective and inspiring domestic role play in your setting. Episode Links Read the Blog "Exploring Powerful Learning Through Home Corner Role Play" Explore Complete Home Corner Role Play Area Resources Find out more about Pop Up Play Village Ltd

We’re joined on the podcast this week by Ed Finch, a Headteacher with a passion for storytelling. We have a great chat about our natural desire to tell stories and the impact of this on our lives. We also explore how storytelling provides wonderfully engaging learning opportunities for our youngest children. Episode Links Read the Blog - Unlocking the Power of Block Play in the EYFS Listen to this Episode "Why Children Need Joy with Ben Kingston-Hughes"

Play isn't a luxury — so why does it keep getting pushed to the margins? Re-release: Originally aired on 20 Feb 2026 Eugene Minogue, Interim Executive Director at Play England, joins us to discuss why play matters so much for children's development, the barriers standing in its way, and what a genuine cultural shift around play would look like. Episode Links Explore Play England's Official Website Listen to our Episode with Ruth Lue-Quee