Early Excellence Podcast

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 LinksStorytelling in the Blocks and Small World AreaDownload our free Blocks Area Planning Guide

Stephen Kilgour joins us as we discuss the key principles of effective assessment in the EYFS.Episode LinksFind Out About our Early Excellence Assessment SuiteJoin Us for Training as we Explore Effective Practice in the Reception YearExplore 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 2025Rhianne 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 LinksDiscover 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 2023Alison 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 LinksWatch the Slow Pedagogy: Making Time for Children's Learning and Development video clipOrder 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 2025Dr 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 LinksWatch 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 2024Judith 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 LinksWatch Judith Ish-Horowicz presenting a TEDx Talk about her workFind 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 2026Leanne 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 LinksExplore more from Ofsted at our Senior Leader BriefingStay 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 2026Anne 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 LinksOrder our New Guide to Mixed-Age ClassesDiscover more from Education DurhamDownload the Free School Leader Reflection Tool on Mixed-Age ClassesFind 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 2026Dr 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 LinksExplore Dr Gai Lindsay's websiteOrder a copy of her book on AmazonDiscover Early Excellence resources to facilitate creativity