Early Excellence Podcast

Nova Robinson catches up with the team at Quinton Primary School in Birmingham for this week’s episode. They discuss the implementation of an effective approach to Key Stage One practice based on an enabling learning environment, strong adult-child learning relationships and smoother transitions from the EYFS.Watch our Free Plan Your Learning Environment KS1 webinarLast Chance to attend the KS1 Roadshow in Doncaster or KentPurchase our KS1 Continuous Provision GuidesDownload Free KS1 Planning Guides and Audit Tools

This week, we’re joined by Natalie Bignell from Kidstart Nursery in Manchester. We discuss the key transition procedures in place at the nursery and the positive impact for children, the families and staff team. Listen to our recent episode "Effective Transition with Phil Armstrong"Read our Blog on "Exploring Powerful Learning Through Domestic Role Play"Watch our Free Room Planning WebinarExplore EYFS CPD for You and Your Team

Matthew Sayer, an expert in outdoor storage, discusses the importance of high levels of outdoor organization, including tips on storage sheds and labeling. The podcast explores the role of adults in maintaining tidy outdoor spaces and modeling organization behaviors. It emphasizes the benefits of engaging children in labeling and organizing outdoor resources to promote autonomy and empowerment.

This week, Nova Robinson interviews Jude Arkwright and Jane Godfrey from St Michael's School in Wiltshire. They discuss the school's approach to continuous provision in Key Stage 1 and the impact it has on children's learning and well-being.Explore our FREE KS1 Room Planning WebinarVisit St Michaels Website to find out more

Matthew Sayer, Early Excellence Curriculum Consultant, explores the wonders of muddy play, discussing the benefits for childhood development, evolution of muddy play areas, importance of transitional spaces, setting up a muddy play area with practical advice, and creating a mud kitchen with diverse resources for imaginative play.

This week, we’re joined by Phil Armstrong from the Early Excellence Curriculum Team as we explore effective transition processes within the EYFS. Read our Blog all About Effective Transition to Year 1Listen to The Podcast Episode "5 Things to Remember in September"Access our EYFS Training

Experienced educators Gillian Jones and Jayne Richardson discuss implementing continuous provision in schools, emphasizing the positive impact on children and staff. They highlight challenges faced, evolution of writing opportunities, and the shift towards child-led learning. The podcast explores fostering effective learning, student engagement, and the importance of creating conducive environments for Key Stage 1 education.

Gillian Hewitt, the Deputy Headteacher at Dyce Primary School, joins us this week to discuss the fantastic possibilities of baking in the EYFS.Explore our CPD Opportunities for EYFSListen to our Gardening and Growing Episode

Catherine Laing, Senior Lecturer in Developmental Linguistics, discusses infant language development, child interactions in educational settings, interconnected child development and language skills, impact of puppets on speech development, use of Onomatopoeia in children's speech, and significance of speech, language, and communication in education.

We catch up with our very own Clare King for this week’s episode of the podcast. As part of our chat, we explore the powerful impact of building on children’s interests and Clare tells us all about a very successful bee project.Explore our CPD ProgrammeRead our Blog on Building on Children's interests in the EYFSJoin a KS1 Roadshow Event, Coming to a School Near You