Early Excellence Podcast

Evan McCormick joins us this week as we explore the key principles of effective practice outdoors. As part of the episode, we discuss the high level of organisation needed outdoors as well as resourcing, planning and the role of the adult.Episode LinksIs Outdoor Learning a key area for development at your school or setting? Find Out About our TrainingOur Team of Curriculum Consultants are available to support you in developing your outdoor space. Find Out About our Outdoor Planning ServiceListen To Evan's First Podcast Episode

Charlotte Kelly joins us for this week's podcast episode as we reflect on a period of curriculum development at the school. As part of our chat, we explore the changes to the learning environment , well-planned resourcing and a focus on progression in the EYFS. We're proud to say that Oldfield Brow are now one of our Early Excellence Partner Schools, find out more about your nearest partner school events by following the link below29/01/2025 - Let's Step Outside in the EYFS - Oldfield BrowEpisode LinksDiscover More Events Near YouJoin our Touring EYFS Roadshow

Louise Herbert and Gareth Shaw join us this week as we offer valuable SEND advice and answer key questions to support practice.Episode LinksAccess our Free SEND Framework MaterialsJoin us for our New Course on Strengthening SEND Practice

This week we're joined by Nova Robinson as we explore what we mean by effective enhancements and reflect on how we make this work within a key stage one context.Episode LinksListen to our Podcast Episode - Getting Started with Continuous Provision in Key Stage 1Access Early Excellence Key Stage 1 trainingDownload our Free Key Stage 1 Audits and Planning Guides

Author and illustrator Pippa Pixley joins us for this week’s episode as we discuss the importance of creative experiences, interactive storytelling and nurturing a love of nature.Episode LinksFind Out More about Pippa’s WorkBook Your Place on one of our Early Excellence Roadshow Events

Dr Natalie Canning joins us for this week’s episode of the podcast as we discuss her key research on empowering young learners in the EYFS.Episode LinksFind out More on Dr Natalie Canning’s Research on Empowering Young LearnersRead our Blog on Nurturing Children’s Self-Confidence and Security in the EYFSBook your Place on an Early Excellence Roadshow Event

We’re joined by Nova Robinson this week as we discuss the challenges but also the benefits of age classes. We explore the importance of a clear understanding of child development and offer key advice for meeting the needs of all of the children.Episode LinksBook your place on our Support for Teachers with Mixed Age Classes Webinar Series

The first few weeks are such a busy yet crucial time in the EYFS year. Llewella Ivins joins us this week as we put together a checklist to make sure we haven’t missed anything!Episode LinksDownload our EYFS checklist for ECTsAccess our Indoor Provision Audit Tool

This week, we’re joined by Anna-Marie Bevan, the Head of Ely and Caerau Integrated Children’s Centre in Cardiff. We discuss the journey of development at the setting, the rich experiences provided and the importance of striking the right balance between child initiated and adult-guided learning.Episode LinksExplore our upcoming CPDJoin our EYFS Roadshow

Judith Ish-Horowicz, the co-founder and director of the UK’s first intergenerational nursery, joins us for our first episode of the new school year. As part of our chat, Judith tells us all about the inspirational multi-generational work at Apples and Honey Nightingale and the benefits for all involved.Episode LinksWatch Judith Ish-Horowicz presenting a TEDx Talk about her workFind out more about Apples and Honey Nightingale CIC

2024 Summer Break Re-Release - Episode 85This week we’re joined by Clare King, one of our Curriculum Consultants at Early Excellence. We discuss the key principles of effective continuous provision and how to put these principles into practice.Take a virtual classroom tour of the Early Excellence learning environmentsFind out more about our Inside Out suite of support materialsDownload our free continuous provision audit tool

2024 Summer Break Re-Release - Episode 52In this week’s episode, Andy and Llewella explore the increasing popularity of tuff spot trays in early years settings. They discuss how Tuff Spot trays are used, look closely at some of the potential drawbacks of being over reliant on tray based activities and ask the question: Is it time to move away from the Tuff Spot tray?Watch our free Guide to Continuous Provision webinarRead our Blog Building on Children’s Interests in the EYFSExplore our EYFS Training Programme

2024 Summer Break Re-Release - Episode 90Does your practice reflect the value of self-regulation? In this week’s episode, we’re joined by members of the senior team from Rawmarsh Nursery School in Rotherham as we explore the vital importance of nurturing self-regulation skills. Access training on Child Development including Self-RegulationBecome an Early Excellence Partner SchoolExplore Continuous Provision Inside Out

2024 Summer Break Re-Release - Episode 112Catherine Laing, Senior Lecturer in Developmental Linguistics, rejoins us this week for a close look at speech and language research. Book your Place on our Let’s Get Talking Training CourseListen to our Earlier Episode with Catherine Laing "Exploring Early Speech and Language Development"Explore our Free Continuous Provision Guides and Audits

2024 Summer Break Re-Release - Episode 92Nicky Turner, from the Astrea Multi-Academy Trust, joins us in our new Early Excellence studio as we explore the vital importance of supporting early literacy and phonics skills effectively.Book your Place on Early Excellence TrainingVisit our New Early Excellence StudioListen to our Podcast Episode on Brilliant Books and Poems to Inspire Young Writers

2024 Summer Break Re-Release - Episode 105This week, we visit Whitefield Primary School in Liverpool and take a tour of their inspirational EYFS learning environmentsWatch our Free Planning your Environment WebinarShop our Inspirational ResourcesDownload our free Audits and Planning Guides

2024 Summer Break Re-Release - Episode 106With more schools recognising the growing interest in continuous provision for Key Stage 1 education, Andy Burt and Nova Robinson delve into its implementation. From understanding the needs of Key Stage 1 children to navigating transitions from early years, this conversation offers invaluable insights into initiating this transformative approach. Join us as we uncover the practical steps, challenges, and resources needed to embark on the continuous provision journey, drawing upon the expertise shared in this enlightening discussion.Join us on one of our KS1 Roadshow eventsOrder our KS1 Guide to Continuous ProvisionExplore the Ideas and Inspirations section of our website

In our last new episode of the school year, we find out about a great project! The 50 Things to Do Before You’re 5 Project aims to provide a list of experiences for young children which are not to be missed. Christian Bunting and Frank Norris join us as we explore the beginnings of the project, the range of experiences and the impact on young children.Explore our CPD Training for you and your TeamFind out more about our FREE Room Planning ServicePurchase our Continuous Provision Guides

Dora Rackham from City Academy, Whitehawk, near Brighton joins us for this week’s episode as we explore the progression of writing skills. Dora has developed a tool to track the small steps involved in developing writing skills and joins us to share how it is used and the impact on the practice.Explore our Mark Making to Writing Course Listen to our Podcast "Exploring Early Literacy and Phonics Skills"Book a Place on our Strengthening Early Literacy in the EYFS Course

We welcome Evan McCormick to the studio for this week’s podcast as we explore key strategies to support children’s communication and language skills. As part of the conversation, we discuss our use of routines, plan-do-review cycles and effective adult interactions. We also consider the specific needs of some children including those with English as an additional language and also children who have developmental delays.Find out More About our Training on Effective Adult Interactions and Communication and Language DevelopmentRead our Blog on Navigating the Sea of Talk Listen to our Podcast Episode with Catherine Laing - Exploring Early Speech and Language Development