Do you want to know how to build a sustainable and successful early years brand to underpin your early years business? From sector insights to interesting case studies and practical advice – this article and podcast episode are a great point of reference for those who are starting out as well as those long-established providers who are looking to stand the test of time. Read Harry’s article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/building-a-lasting-early-years-brand/ This episode is in partne...
Jun 23, 2025•38 min•Ep. 121
Words hold a lot of power for children, they shape who they are and who they become. Yet 41% of children experience verbal abuse by adults, which can lead to lasting damage. Jessica Bondy, founder of Words Matter, discusses how by using positive, encouraging language we can build a child’s confidence and help them flourish. Let’s build children up with our words, not knock them down. Words matter. Read Jessica’s article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-power-of-words-how-adult-lang...
Jun 16, 2025•42 min•Ep. 120
We do not need a 'free from' diet when it comes to providing young children with emotional wellbeing and support. In the early years children need a safe space to experience, articulate, and process emotions – there is no such thing as a 'bad emotion'; they all have their role to play. Behaviour and emotional regulation coach Samantha Dholakia talks us through why children need the full ‘emotional diet’. Read Samantha’s article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-full-emotional-diet-f...
Jun 09, 2025•52 min•Ep. 119
Ryan Bradshaw emphasises the importance of fostering a sense of belonging in early childhood education. He shares his personal journey and experiences, highlighting the impact of belonging for both children and educators. Ryan advocates for greater male representation in the early years sector and discusses ways in which professionals can cultivate connection, belonging and promote diversity. Read Ryan’s article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/cultivating-a-sense-of-belonging/ This ep...
Jun 02, 2025•38 min•Ep. 118
In this episode… Mandy Richardson, owner of Naturally Learning nurseries in Cornwall, talks to us about how she created the Cornish Curriculum with her team. Mandy shares with us the details of her curriculum and some challenges along the way, including challenging Ofsted, practicalities of an outdoor nursery, defining what school readiness means to you, the ‘Cornish Connection’, teaching diversity in a ‘non-diverse’ area, authentic cultural representation and more… Read Mandy’s article here: ht...
May 26, 2025•39 min•Ep. 117
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionise various sectors, including early childhood education. This podcast episode and article explore how AI can positively impact nurseries, schools and wider early education. Key discussion points include: · The role of AI in its current form and the future of AI. · AI guiding us and informing our practice, rather than doing all the work for us. · Both educators and children becoming more digitally attuned. · Understanding how AI can sup...
May 19, 2025•40 min•Ep. 116
This episode is in partnership with Nursery Management Show: Nursery Management Show is the largest show dedicated to nursery management and leadership . Join us on the 27th June 2025 for one day of insightful content, discussion and networking for the early years sector, plus access to industry leaders, suppliers and providers. Find out more here: https://nurserymanagementshow.co.uk/tickets?utm_campaign=56071396-Nursery%20Management%20Show%20Birmingham%202025&utm_source=voice-of-early-child...
May 12, 2025•56 min•Ep. 116
More school-based nursery provision has been initiated within schools as part of the UK Government’s focus on early years. In this podcast episode we discuss concerns around school-based nurseries, mindful care, respectful sleep spaces, ethical pedagogy, Schoolification, knowledgeable adults, nurturing and collaborative approaches… We also ask the pertinent questions: - Are schools ready for two-year-olds? - How can we collaborate to best support two-year-olds in any setting? - Are we aware of o...
May 05, 2025•43 min•Ep. 114
This episode is sponsored by Mimic Motion. Introducing Mimic Motion: The Ultimate Baby Sleep Solution For generations, parents have relied on car rides to lull their babies to sleep. The gentle hum of the engine, the rhythmic motion of the road, and the soothing vibrations create the perfect environment for a peaceful nap. But what if you could recreate that magic at home? Enter Mimic Motion , the baby sleep aid designed to bring the car ride experience directly to your nursery. To find out more...
Apr 28, 2025•42 min•Ep. 113
Reusing materials in early childhood education fosters creativity, problem-solving, and environmental awareness. This article and podcast episode explore the benefits of incorporating loose parts and open-ended materials into play, particularly in the construction corners of the classroom – highlighting real classroom experiences where children repurpose materials to build meaningful projects. Read Dylan’s article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-value-of-loose-parts-and-open-ended...
Apr 21, 2025•37 min•Ep. 112
This special episode addresses some deep topics, including the power of the decision maker, impartiality, belonging vs inclusion, the true opportunity for voice and representation, active participation and critical consumption of knowledge…as well as a Q&A from the early childhood community where Adam and Angelica unpick the show ‘Adolescence’ and implications for safeguarding, including the new EYFS changes. Get in touch with your thoughts, comments and topic/guest suggestions here: https:/...
Apr 14, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 111
This episode is sponsored by Funding Loop: Funding Loop automates the process for nurseries of collecting funding forms from parents and typing that information into council portals. Funding Loop is used by over 2000 nurseries including over 80% of the top 25 nursery chains in the UK including Busy Bees. To find out more visit: https://www.fundingloop.co.uk/home In this episode: This podcast episode is for leaders in any industry, with valuable reflections to take away around your own and the le...
Apr 07, 2025•50 min•Ep. 110
What if children’s attention isn’t a skill to train, but a response to their environment, emotions and engagement? Dr Gemma Goldenberg and Professor Sam Wass encourage us to think about attention in this newer, different way. In the article and podcast episode they discuss shifting our understanding of attention from a ‘mental muscle’ to a holistic, responsive process—one that educators can meaningfully support through informed, inclusive and practical adjustments to practice. Read Gemma’s and S...
Mar 31, 2025•51 min•Ep. 109
Exploring how physical development, physical activity, physical education, and physical literacy contribute to a child's holistic development. This article and podcast episode highlight the importance of creating engaging, inclusive environments, empowering practitioners, and fostering a lifelong love of movement through early exposure and meaningful physical experiences. Read Josh Candy’s article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/fostering-a-love-of-movement-for-life/ This episode is i...
Mar 24, 2025•40 min•Ep. 108
This episode is sponsored by Mini Minds Matter. Find out more here: https://www.minimindsmatter.org.uk/ Neuroscience plays such a crucial role in understanding child development, principally in regard to brain growth, mental health, and emotional wellbeing. As children navigate their formative years, knowledge of brain function and neuroplasticity can inform practices that promote healthy development. In the article and podcast episode we explore these aspects, including the roles of key brain a...
Mar 17, 2025•38 min•Ep. 107
This episode is sponsored by Funding Loop: Funding Loop automates the process for nurseries of collecting funding forms from parents and typing that information into council portals. Funding Loop is used by over 2000 nurseries including over 80% of the top 25 nursery chains in the UK including Busy Bees. To find out more visit: https://www.fundingloop.co.uk/home There is no ‘bad’ behaviour. Behaviour is only useful or not useful…Setting children up for success starts with understanding behaviour...
Mar 10, 2025•52 min•Ep. 106
This episode is in partnership with T150 Energy. To submit an enquiry on your energy savings and receiving a donation visit: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-payback-scheme/ With rising costs impacting education settings, the Payback Scheme offers a practical solution to ease financial pressures. By negotiating competitive contracts for gas, electricity, and water, the Payback Scheme helps providers save money while donating a portion of earnings back to them. This initiative, born from ...
Mar 03, 2025•39 min•Ep. 104
This episode is sponsored by Funding Loop: Funding Loop automates the process for nurseries of collecting funding forms from parents and typing that information into council portals. Funding Loop is used by over 2000 nurseries including over 80% of the top 25 nursery chains in the UK including Busy Bees. To find out more visit: https://www.fundingloop.co.uk/home Incorporating STEAM into the provision of quality early childhood education is vitally important for today’s 21st century children. Man...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 104
A warning for all viewers and listeners: This episode can be distressing as the topic is around domestic abuse. This episode is sponsored by Funding Loop: Funding Loop automates the process for nurseries of collecting funding forms from parents and typing that information into council portals. Funding Loop is used by over 2000 nurseries including over 80% of the top 25 nursery chains in the UK including Busy Bees. To find out more visit: https://www.fundingloop.co.uk/home Tina Pokuaah, safeguard...
Feb 17, 2025•33 min•Ep. 103
This episode is sponsored by Funding Loop: Funding Loop automates the process for nurseries of collecting funding forms from parents and typing that information into council portals. Funding Loop is used by over 2000 nurseries including over 80% of the top 25 nursery chains in the UK including Busy Bees. To find out more visit: https://www.fundingloop.co.uk/home Rachael Webster problematises the English Government’s campaign for early childhood professionals, namely the advert: Do something big,...
Feb 10, 2025•44 min
Let’s discuss the challenges around speech, language and communication, and how these can be overcome. Julie Kent and Dr Tanya Richardson discuss their professional and academic insights, including aspects explored in their new book. They unpick why language development is currently considered a public health problem and suggest approaches educators and parents/carers can take to reduce this concern. To read Julie’s and Tanya’s article and find a link to their new book visit: https://thevoiceofe...
Feb 03, 2025•39 min•Ep. 101
To celebrate 100 episodes of The Voice of Early Childhood podcast we have a very special guest with us...the pioneering Professor Alison Clark . Best known for advocating for the voice of the child through her pioneering research with Professor Peter Moss on the Mosaic Approach: A participatory, multimethod approach of listening to young children’s voices within qualitative research. Professor Alison Clark shares with us decades of important work and research that has resulted in the pioneering ...
Jan 27, 2025•52 min•Ep. 100
This episode is sponsored by Mini Minds Matter. Find out more here: https://www.minimindsmatter.org.uk/ In recent years, there has been a shift in how we approach children's emotional development, moving away from measures such as "time out" towards a more holistic, supportive approach that helps children navigate and manage their emotions. This podcast episode and article explores the importance of emotional intelligence for both children and adults, emphasising the roles of self-regulation and...
Jan 20, 2025•45 min•Ep. 99
This episode is sponsored by The Little Coach House and Jane Todd Nursery Business Support. Find out more here: The Little Coach House: http://www.littlecoachhouse.co.uk/ Jane Todd Nursery Business Support: http://www.janetodd.co.uk/ Working in early years is incredibly rewarding, but is it always viable? Jane Todd, an experienced early years business owner has had 5 early years related businesses; early years music classes, two nurseries, training & consultancy and an early years resources ...
Jan 13, 2025•45 min•Ep. 98
A reflective piece on experiencing burnout as a Black nursery manager; recognising its signs, overcoming challenges, and fostering inclusivity and equity while prioritising mental health and sharing strategies for recovery, inclusivity, and equitable leadership practices. Read Lorraine’s article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/ my-experience-with-burnout-as-a-black-manager/ If you enjoyed this episode you might also want to listen to and read: Leaving Teaching: Dear Teaching…It’s you,...
Jan 06, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 97
As more children need some form of augmentative and alternative communication, the use of Makaton is increasing. Rachel Makepeace, a Makaton tutor and Special Educational Needs (SEN) teacher, shares her experience of using Makaton to support children with speech, language and communication needs, as well as how Makaton has the potential to aid language development for all children. Read Rachel’s article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/what-is-makaton/ If you enjoyed this episode, you ...
Dec 30, 2024•27 min•Ep. 96
In this episode and article, Olivia Corbin-Phillip encourages us to see all conversations as stories, as we are all storytellers…Olivia explains that giving children the gift of becoming storytellers is incredibly valuable; from exploring emotions in the safe space of stories, to giving children agency, choice and voice through, there is so much incredible value in building a lifelong love of stories. Read Olivia’s article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-value-of-storytelling/ Att...
Dec 23, 2024•41 min•Ep. 95
Mattie talks about transitioning from one career to another and the challenges of working in both a male dominated as well as a female dominated workplace. The ups and downs are discussed, including prejudices and stereotypes, as well as making a positive impact through valuing differences, and Mattie’s current work around supporting his setting in becoming a centre of excellence. Read Mattie’s article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/exploring-career-challenges-for-male-educators-in-e...
Dec 16, 2024•54 min•Ep. 94
Yinka Ogunnusi encourages us to be critical educators and view our practice through an anti-racist lens. From code switching, tackling the feeling of guilt and the politics of early childhood, to ‘I don’t see colour’…Olayinka shares both the practical and reflective ways in which we can create racially just spaces. Read Yinka’s article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/promoting-racially-just-spaces-in-early-childhood-education/ Attend Yinka’s workshop: Yinka will be speaking at The Voi...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 93
Dr Mona Sakr shares insight into ongoing research around baby room provision, aiming to bring together evidence on what quality provision looks like for 0-2-year-olds. The article introduces a small-scale study which sparked the current wider research, and the podcast episode expands on the current research. Read Mona’s article here: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/experiences-of-baby-room-leaders/ Mona and her team are presenting further insight into their research at The Voice of Early Ch...
Dec 02, 2024•51 min•Ep. 92
