Early Excellence Podcast

We’re joined by Sam Caseley and Ruby Thompson from the Herd Theatre for this week’s episode as we hear all about their transformative Replay Project. We discuss the vital importance of nurturing creative thinking and the wonderful impact of immersive open-ended environments on young children.Explore more about the Herd TheatreWatch a trailer about the Replay projectFind out more about the Replay project

Emma Hudson, Early Years Lead at Willerby Carr Lane Primary School, discusses redesigning EYFS environments to focus on core provision and interactions. She covers peer coaching, skill progression, and effective classroom displays. The podcast delves into revamping EYFS spaces post-COVID, fostering creative projects, guiding children in skill development, and enhancing teaching practices.

This week, we’re joined by Sarah Carey, School Improvement Lead at Early Excellence, as we explore the impactful Early Excellence Roadshow, a full-day training event for school leaders, EYFS leads and early years teams. Discover key insights on effective practices, learning environments, and the roadshow's focus on professional dialogue.  Find Out More and Book Your Place on an Early Excellence Roadshow EventExplore our CPD and Webinar ProgrammeWatch one of our Free Training Videos

Nigel Plaskitt discusses his career in film and television, including his work on Labyrinth and Muppet Christmas Carol. He also talks about the magic of puppets and their use with young children, highlighting the educational and emotional benefits. Nigel tells us all about his recent work on the children's show Monty and Co., which aims to teach children about differences and resolving conflicts in a gentle and humorous way.  Find out more about Monty and Co.Explore our Books and Puppets Resource Collections

In our last episode before Christmas, we’re joined by Sarah Watkins as we celebrate the fantastic learning possibilities of the outdoors. Order your copy of our Early Excellence Guide to Outdoor ProvisionRead our Early Excellence Blog - The Fantastic Possibilities of Learning Outdoors in Cold, Wet and Windy WeatherConnect with Sarah Watkins on LinkedIn 

Experienced early years teacher Jess Gosling shares key advice and experiences teaching in the UIFS across different countries, discussing the challenges and benefits of moving abroad, experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the international approach to education.

This week, we visit Willerby Carr Lane Primary School in Hull to hear about the Early Excellence room planning process and the impact that their new learning environment has had on the children’s learning.Find out more about our Free Room Planning ServiceWatch our Free Planning Your Environment WebinarShop our Complete Classroom solutions

We leave the Early Excellence Studio and head to the beautiful setting of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park for this week’s episode. As part of our visit, we meet Emma Spencer and Kathryn Brame, two of the learning managers at the park. In a wide ranging discussion, Emma and Kathryn discuss their roles in working with young children on the site and also the importance of creative and playful experiences. Interview was recorded in July 2023Find out more about Trap of the Truth, the Erwin Wurm exhibition at Yorkshire Sculpture ParkBook a place on our Early Excellence Structures and Spaces trainingListen to our podcast episode with Emma Bairstow as we take a close look at expressive art and designExplore YSP's School Staff CPD: Light, Sleep and Wellbeing ConnectionDiscover YSP'd Teacher CPD: Patterns in Poetry with Poet Keisha Thompson

This week, we visit Quinton Church Primary School in Birmingham to hear how their work with Early Excellence has helped the team to put continuous provision at the heart of their practice.Find out more about our Free Room Planning ServiceTake a Virtual Classroom Tour of our Early Excellence Learning EnvironmentsWatch our Free Planning Your Environment Webinar

Nicky Turner, an educational professional, discusses the importance of early literacy and phonics skills, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach. They highlight the significance of storytelling in early education, the power of repetition in storytelling, and the connection between physical development and literacy progress. The importance of incorporating music, rhyme, and broad experiences is also emphasized.