Early Excellence Podcast

In this episode of the Early Excellence podcast, Andy Burt interviews Janette Quinn, Director of Education and Professional Learning at COBIS (Council of British International Schools). They explore her global education experience, passion for early years education, and COBIS's role in accreditation and professional development. Highlighting effective practices and the importance of planning and relationships, they emphasise seizing opportunities and nurturing a conducive learning environment. Come Visit us a the COBIS Conference - Stand 76Explore our International Services

How do you meet the needs of all of your children? In this week’s episode, we talk to Alex Sutcliffe from Ravenshead Church of England School in Nottinghamshire as we reflect on meeting the needs of children with SEND. As part of this, we focus on the importance of effective learning environments indoors and outdoors and discuss how physical challenge is crucial to meeting children’s needs. Find out more about our FREE Room Planning ServiceWatch our FREE Room Planning Training VideoPurchase our Continuous Provision Guides for your EYFS team

Join us for this week’s podcast as we explore the link between EYFS practice and research and find out how teachers and practitioners can get involved in their own research projects. Discover more about Dr. Frances GiampapaExplore our CPD Training

This week, we’re joined by Clare King, one of our Curriculum Consultants at early Excellence, as we talk about the importance of gardening and growing with young children. We offer practical advice on getting started, what you’ll need, and how to successfully grow vegetables with young children. Shop our Outdoor ResourcesWatch our Free "Get Set for Outdoor Learning" WebinarOrder our Guide to Continuous Provision Outdoors

With 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

This week, we visit Whitefield Primary School in Liverpool and take a tour of their inspirational EYFS learning environments Watch our Free Planning your Environment WebinarShop our Inspirational ResourcesDownload our free Audits and Planning Guides

Are the Characteristics of Effective Learning central to your EYFS practice? Are you confident in supporting children’s learning skills and attributes? In this episode of the podcast, we chat to Sayeh Mariner from the Co-Op Academies Trust about developing inspirational practice to nurture young learners. Discover our series of webinars focusing on the EYFS & KS1Read our Blog "Exploring the importance of the Characteristics of Effective Learning”

For the podcast this week, we’re joined by Rachel Yeung from Hawkshead Primary School in Cumbria, as we discuss the benefits and challenges of teaching in a mixed-age class. Rachel highlights the importance of understanding each child's needs and planning accordingly. She also emphasizes the role of the learning environment in facilitating learning and the positive impact it has on children's development.

This week, we’re joined by Sara Adams as we discuss her experiences and reflections as an early career teacher. As part of the conversation, we explore the importance of an effective learning environment, building meaningful relationships with children and peer learning. Watch our free ECT WebinarExplore our free Audits and GuidesDiscover all our CPD courses and Webinars

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 the impact of the redesigned EYFS environment on children and staff. She highlights the importance of stripping back and refining provision to focus on core continuous provision and interactions. Emma also shares the school's approach to peer coaching and the ongoing process of skill progression within each area of provision. Discover our Free Room Planning ServiceExplore our Free Audit for your Indoor AreasWatch the Free Planning your Environment Webinar

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

Jess Gosling joins us as our guest for this week’s episode. As an experienced early years teacher working in settings across the world, Jess has lots of key advice and experiences to share. Explore our International Support ServicesFind out more about Jess' work on her website https://jessgoslingearlyyearsteacher.com/

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 2023 Find 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, 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

Hayley Coupe, from Holmgate Primary School in Derbyshire, joins us for this week’s podcast episode. As part of our conversation, Hayley shares her recent experience of the inspection process. Stay up to date with our Senior Leader Termly BriefingJoin us at one our our Early Excellence Roadshow eventsListen to The Early Excellence Head-to-Head Podcast