Early Excellence Podcast

Early Excellence

Join us as we discuss a diverse range of EYFS and KS1 best practice and provision, resourcing your Early Years environment and keep you up to date news and reviews from Ofsted & the DfE

Play

Open in

28 episodes
weekly
Avg 47 min
English

Episodes 28

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

S5 · E227
Friday · 46 min
The New Birth to 5 Matters Document with Nancy Stewart
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
S5 · E226
September 18 · 49 min
The Power of Storytelling with Jules Pottle
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
S5 · E225
September 11 · 48 min
Effective Assessment in the EYFS with Stephen Kilgour
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
S5 · E224
September 4 · 25 min
Beach Schools with Rhianne Stephens
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
S5 · E223
August 28 · 45 min
Slow Knowledge and the Unhurried Child with Alison Clark
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
S5 · E222
August 21 · 1 hr
Professional Love in the EYFS with Dr Jools Page
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
S5 · E221
August 14 · 43 min
Young and Old Together: Exploring Intergenerational Practice with Judith Ish-Horowicz
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
S5 · E220
August 7 · 36 min
Navigating Ofsted Inspections: Insights from a Pilot School with Leanne Foster
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
S5 · E219
July 31 · 49 min
Navigating Change in Mixed-Age Classes: Challenges for Schools and Leaders with Anne Brass and Kate Gingles
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
S5 · E218
July 24 · 1 hr 9 min
Visual Arts in Early Childhood Settings with Dr Gai Lindsay
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
S5 · E217
July 10 · 49 min
Going Screen Free in the EYFS with Lucy Fox
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
S5 · E216
July 3 · 48 min
Closing the Communication Gap: Early Talk for York with Rachel Shearer and Martin Cumming
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
S5 · E215
June 26 · 42 min
The Power of Role Play with Becky Hoare
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
S5 · E214
June 19 · 44 min
The Wonder of Storytelling with Ed Finch
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"
S5 · E213
June 12 · 42 min
Making Space for Play - A Conversation with Eugene Minogue
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
S5 · E212
June 5 · 48 min
Exploring Transition and Pace with Dixie-Louise Dexter
Dixie-Louise Dexter joins us for this week’s episode as we explore effective transition processes and the value of slowing down the pace. Episode Links Explore our Transition to Year 1 Blog Discover our EYFS CPD & Training Programme Transform your Learning Environment
S5 · E211
May 29 · 43 min
Premature Birth, Development and Early Support with Caroline Woodman
What do educators really need to know about supporting children born prematurely? Re-release: Originally aired on 7 Mar 2025 Caroline Woodman joins us this week as we explore the impact of premature birth on children's development. Caroline shares her own story and that of her son, Reuben, who was born prematurely. She emphasises the importance of early intervention, understanding developmental challenges, and the need for educational professionals to be aware of the unique needs of premature children. Caroline also highlights the resources available for families and educators to support children like Reuben, advocating for greater awareness and understanding of the long-term effects of prematurity. Episode Links Explore The Smallest Things Charity website Access Free Online Training from PRISM (Premature Infants’ Skills in Mathematics) Discover the Prem Aware Award and its Free Resources
S5 · E210
May 22 · 41 min
Anji Inspired Play with Patana School in Bangkok
Gemma Wales and Sarah Gaughan from Patana School in Bangkok join us for this week’s episode. We discuss how their early years practice has been inspired by Anji Play and discuss key aspects such as the theory, resources, the practice and the impact on the young learners. Episode Links Discover our support for International Schools and Settings Explore more on Anji Play
S5 · E209
May 15 · 53 min
Creativity, Culture and the Child with Gemma Shadid
What does child-centred creative practice really look like in the early years? Re-release: Originally aired on 9 May 2025 In this episode, Gemma Shadid joins us to explore the power of child-centred creative practice in the EYFS. We discuss the Reggio Emilia approach, the role of quality materials in art, and how sensory experiences and cultural diversity shape children's learning and identity. Episode Links Transform your Learning Environment with our Room Planning Service. Shop our Range of Sensory Resources Explore the EYFS Framework and its Guidance for Early Years Practice.
S5 · E208
May 8 · 42 min
The Can Do Approach to Supporting Speech, Language and Communication Skills with Joanne Jones
Speech Therapist and online educator Joanne Jones joins us on the podcast this week. We discuss positive approaches to supporting speech, language and communication skills in young children. Episode Links Explore language-rich environment resources on the Inspiration Hub App Develop your understanding of language and communication with Let's Get Talking in the EYFS Read the Blog Navigating the Sea of Talk – why language-rich environments go beyond labels and key words Invest in The EExREC Assessment Suite

Showing 1–20 of 28 episodes