Circle Time - The Early Years Podcast

It's an absolute pleasure to welcome Rachel Tapping, chair of Pikler UK, back to Circle Time. Rachel is picking up on a topic which will resonate with so many people working in the field of Early Childhood, that of our own Wellbeing. What do we do to ensure that we are cared for, rested and full able to give our time and energy to supporting our youngest learners.   For more information on the Pikler methodology and the Pikler UK Association, visit their website: https://pikler.co.uk/

In this episode, Glenn talks to Helen Guntrip, a Speech and Language Therapist who has created a programme of activities for children to help them develop their speech through active movement. Combining her skills as a Speech and Language Therapist and a Yoga Teacher, Helen created "Talk and Move", which is a unique approach that combines body movements with vocabulary, speech sound and phonological awareness development. Find out more here: https://talkandmove.co.uk/ 

In this episode of Circle Time The Early Years Podcast, Glenn has been talking to Marc Molloy, a keen cyclist who has been working on a project to get young children cycling through his balance bike scheme "Cyclings". Marc discusses the amazing physical and emotional benefits of cycling and how this could be highly beneficial to Early Years settings.

As a former primary school teacher, Clare Helen Welsh understands how powerful a good book can be in helping children understand their own feelings and support their mental wellbeing, so that is why she set up Books That Help. Find out more about this amazing project by visiting their website https://www.booksthathelp.co.uk/ 

For our third episode, Glenn chats with Sarah Brown (AKA The Dyslexic Leader) about how we can support children to become stronger at self-regulation. Why not follow Sarah on Instagram @thedyslexicleader  

The outdoors is just there to be explored and it's an amazing place for young children to grow and develop. In this episode of Circle Time The Early Years Podcast, Glenn catches up with former colleague, Cameron Sprague (Head of Nurseries for Stramash Social Enterprise) and explores why the outdoors is simply the best place for children to be free and able to learn in their own unique way.

A brand new season for Circle Time The Early Years Podcast, and it's great to have not one, but two amazing guests on our first edition. Returning to Circle Time is Dr Lala Manners, alongside her great friend and colleague, Dr June O'Sullivan OBE (making her Circle Time debut), who have been working on a new book exploring the common misconceptions of School Readiness. What does it actually mean, and how can nursery and school work together to make this a transition that puts the child at the heart.

We've made it to the end of our third season of Circle Time, and we have a special episode for you. Glenn joined the brilliant Early Years coach and mentor, Laura Hodges, from HQ Early Years as they shared a joint podcast recording, focusing on what could be a tricky subject- finding joy in early years. If you want to know more about what other services Laura can offer, (including her amazing podcast Lead and Learn) why not visit her website: https://www.hqearlyyears.com/   And don't forget, you can hear selected episodes, and so much more, on Circle Time The Early Years Radio - our spin-off station. Just visit https://circletimeradio.co.uk/ or ask Alexa to "open Circle Time Radio". If you have an Android mobile, why not download out free app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.circletime.radio 

In our penultimate episode for Season 3, Glenn welcomes Professor Sam Wass, Director of the Institute of Science of Early Years (ISEY) at the University of East London. Sam talks about stress in young children and how, by being outside more with the children, we can reduce the potential triggers of stressful behaviours and reactions. You can find out more about Sam by visiting his website: https://www.profsamwass.com/ Or find out more about ISEY: https://www.isey.org/ 

You may (or may not) know about baby wearing and the benefits for both the baby and the adult. Glenn talks to baby wearing consultant and educator (and all-round lovely person) Lauran Hislop from Coorie in with Love about why nurseries should consider this as an option for their baby rooms. You can get in touch with Laurna through her website and social media, details below: https://www.coorieinwithlove.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/coorieinwithlove/ https://www.facebook.com/coorieinwithlove/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxP9vE87s7QmaXOMKcXUWg  

In this episode of Circle Time The Early Years Podcast, Glenn talks to highly experienced Nursery Manager, Jade Candy, about why she believes that a quality environment is essential for every child's holistic growth and development. Andy by environment, she's not just talking about the physical environment, but also the adults surrounding the child and why they need to feel inquisitive and excited about their learning environment oo.

Many of you will have heard of a Pikler Triangle, but where does it come from and how does it fit into our Early Years world? The latest episode of Circle Time is where Glenn talks to Rachel Tapping, Chair of Pikler UK, about Dr Emmi Pikler and her groundbreaking research and methods that show love and respect to children, from the youngest to the oldest - surely something we need in today's society?   To find out more about Rachel, and the work of Pikler UK, click these links: pikler.co.uk/pikler-training https://vimeo.com/piklerstudio balanced-beings.co.uk     

Emotions, particularly in our youngest children, can be unnerving or even alarming. But should we let them happen rather than just comfort the child? In this edition of Circle Time, Glenn talks to Sarah Emerson, a specialist in early childhood behaviour and emotions, about this very devisive subject.   You can find out more about Sarah from her website https://childhoodunderstood.com/ 

We talk a lot about children's emotional wellbeing, but what about the wellbeing of the adults? In this episode of Circle Time, Glenn talks to Early Years consultant Melanie Shepherd about strategies, hints and tips we can sue to support the wellbeing of our teams.

Talking about toilet or potty training is such a minefield, with so much information out there it can be tricky to advise parents on this highly important milestone in development. Glenn talks to Early Years Consultant, Alison Featherbe about how staff should all be "singing from the same hymn sheet" when it comes to giving advice.

Lee Connelly is a passionate advocate for children being immersed in the wonderful and rich world of gardening. He talks to Glenn about how childcare settings can add value to their offerings by including gardening in the daily offering, and how you don't need to be a garden expert to grow. Catch up with Lee on his website: https://skinnyjeangardener.co.uk/ 

Recruitment is sucha  critical issue for all Early Years settings right now, we're at crisis point, and it can be so easy to let the Safer Recruitment process slip to get staff in place. However, Early Years HR expert, Becky Phillips talks to Glenn about why this cannot happen.   For more information, why not visit her website and book a discover call: https://harrogatehr.co.uk/

Glenn and Sarah are back again with another episode of Two Nursery Managers Talking. In this episode, Sarah and Glenn discuss how the manager's role isn't just about managing children, families and people, it's also about managing budgets and getting your head around balance sheets and P&L's!

This spisode is all about how music and movement can really engage the child's whole brain and stimulate all sorts of learning. Tasha Bretton from Boogie Mites talks to Glenn about the neuroscience research done by Boogie Mites (The ABCD of Doh, Re, Mi) which shows the huge benefits music and movement programmes can have on a child's development. For more information, visit their website at: https://www.boogiemites.co.uk/ 

It's a brand new year and in this episode of Circle Time, Glenn taljks to Vanessa Dooley from Jigsaw Early Years Consultancy about the updates to Safeguarding in Early Years which come into effect from September 1st. Vanessa talks about why it is essential that we act on this now and really embed safeguarding through our settings and practices now.

It's always a pleasure to speak with Neil Leitch, Chief Executive of the Early Years Alliance. This conversation, however, focused on their report addressing the recruitment crisis in the Early Years sector. The report, Turning Point, makes for sobering reading, highlighting the critical state of affairs when it comes to recruiting qualified staff. You can access the report by clicking here HERE

Episode for of this new season continues and Glenn talks to Simon Airey, a teacher with over 25 years of teaching experience, many of it in Early Years, who is passionate about ensuring all children have a curriculum that works for them.

Sarah and Glenn, Two Nursery Managers, are back again. In this episode, they are talking about Curriculum. What does the word actually mean, and how does it relate in practice? Most importantly, how do you get the team on board with it?

It was brilliant to welcome Josh Candy back to Circle Time The Early Years Podcast. Since we last spoke, Josh has set up his own company specialising in delivering meaningful, relevant and exciting PE sessions for nurseries in the South London area (with plans to expand across the UK). If you want to find out more about Josh and what Early Years PE can do for your setting, then get in touch via his website www.earlyyearspe.co.uk 

Season 3 of Circle Time The Early Years Podcast continues, and what a guest we have this week. Nursery Manager Lorraine Kara speaks to Glenn about the importance of being seen, heard, and supported by others in Early Years management, particularly as a woman of colour.

I this first episode of Season 3, Glenn is learning more about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) from the brilliant Sandra Beale. Just how early and age can you do STEM activities with children?

Continuing their chats about life as Nursery Managers, Sarah and Glenn touch on the subject of Wellbeing in the Early Years. This very broad subject touches on the lives of managers, practitioners, children and families and why it's important we look after our health as members of the Early Years Workforce.

Welcome to the first episode of Two Nursery Managers Talking, brought to you by the people behind the highly successful Circle Time The Early Years Podcast. In this series, nursery managers Glenn and Sarah discuss various topics that affect managers daily and delve into how they manage them. If you would like to get in touch, please email [email protected] 

In this final episode of the season, Glenn has been talking to Mark Stewart. A search for left-handed scissors for his son has led to a remarkable career supporting left handed people inculding producing a variety of resources to help left-handed children, as  well as for their parents and teachers, such as the activity book" So You Think They're Left Handed?", the handwriting books series "Left Hand Writing Skills", the Writewell Mat,  Handwriting Sticker set and Table Guide. Mark has been instrumental in setting up training courses for teachers and early years practitioners, to support them in supporting an often forgotten need for some children. Marks current CPD offering, "Left Handed Children - A Guide for Teachers and Parents" is available online at: http://www.leftshoponline.co.uk 

Glenn was delighted to welcome back the Author, Trainer, Play Specialist and Managing Director of Inspired Children working with vulnerable children across the UK, Ben Kingston-Hughes. In this edition Ben was talking about his new book "Why Children Need Joy: the fundamental truth about childhood" and how we all need the magical joy of play in our lives. www.inspiredchildren.org.uk  www.facebook.com/inspiredchildrentraining   instagram: inspiredchildrenltd

Lynnette Brock is the director and co-founder of SchemaPlay Community Interest Company. Her early years journey began in maintained and Montessori nursery schools in London, where their passion for nurturing young minds was ignited.  In 2016, they embarked on a collaborative research project, alongside Professor John Siraj-Blatchford. This work led to the birth of SchemaPlay, an initiative born out of their research and the transformative impact SchemaPlay was having in enhancing outcomes for young children. With a shared vision of fostering free-flow play and empowering young learners, Lynnette and Professor Siraj-Blatchford created an awe-inspiring training program for early years' educators.   Find out more on their website: www.schemaplay.com 

Using a holistic approach and a deep understanding of child development, Teresa Robinson was able to devise an approach to children's learning that truly puts the child at the heart of everything we do. You can find out more about the approach on Teresa's website: https://nopencilrequired.co.uk/ 

Rachel Buckler has worked in the safeguarding and children protection arena for 30 years Her book 'Developing Child-Centred Practice for Safeguarding and Child Protection. Strategies for every early years setting' was published by Routledge as part of their Little Mind Matters series, in February 2023. She's a regular writer and contributor for Nursery World, co-founder of the Early Years Hub and founder of the Early Years Hub, Safeguarding Hub which is a dynamic online resource and learning community for designated safeguarding leads. She chats to Glenn about how developing a setting-based view and approach to child protection is so important. https://rachelbuckler.co.uk/ 

Glenn's guest, for this edition, is Cheryl Warren, she has 30 years of experience within the early years sector and is now a consultant and award-winning trainer, working with nurseries and schools across the UK. Her passion and specialism for understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity within early years is impactful and comes from the heart, as a professional and also as a parent of two neurodivergent children. She is an advocate for true inclusive practice, enabling ALL children to be heard, to be given the tools and connections to thrive and to be celebrated and accepted for their uniqueness. Cheryl delivers in-house training sessions for teams, webinars, sensory-aware environmental audits, support visits, SEN policy reviews and webinars and has just launched her own podcast. Cheryl is currently writing a book for Routledge Education and will be a guest speaker at the 2024 Nursery World Show, Childcare and Education Expo and the Community Playthings Day of Play.   You can get in touch with Cheryl in the following ways: Website: www.aperiontraining.co.uk FB/Instagram: @aperiontraining LinkedIn: @cherylwarren

In our latest episode of the second season, Glenn is joined by Clare Stead, who is the creator and founder of the Oliiki app, an evidence-based app for parents and educators who spend time with babies in the first 1000 days of life. She is a primary teacher, education researcher and e-Learning specialist, now focused on working with parents to help them spark adventures in their baby's learning journey through tiny playful moments from conception to two.   Find out more about the Oliiki app via the website: https://www.oliikiapp.com/  

Dan McFarland (AKA Mr Mc) is from the glorious seaside town of Ballycastle, Northern Ireland, although they currently live in Leicester. He has been a prominent figure on social media for a while, particularly with their "flying with phonics scheme" and has worked hard to develop continuous provision that not only inspires children but makes them feel valued, successful and happy. They feel that school should be a place where children bounce through the door, feel like they can take a risk, not be afraid of 'making a mistake' and learn to believe that if they give things a go they will be "on their way". They've worked in EYFS, year 1 and have been a Leicester City Inspirational Teacher nominee. They now focus their time on developing their skills to be an effective EYFS Leader, by ensuring that positive self-care and well-being is a priority. Check out his socials: www.OntrackwithMrMc.com  Mr Mc Early Years - on Facebook On track with mr Mc - on Instagram and TikTok @MrMcOfficial1986 on Twitter /X

In this edition of the podcast, Glenn is delighted to discuss the amazing work of Dr Sarah Goldsmith and her PhD entitled "Girls' toys and 'boys' toys: learning through play" and how we still have work to do to make our settings inclusive to all.

Glenn's guest for this week, Michelle Hague, is an accomplished and inspirational school leader with a track record of developing high-performing cultures, systems, and strategies to enhance academic standards. With experience as a Rapid School Improvement Partner, Head of School Development, Head of an Outstanding School and an Early Years Ofsted Inspector. They've partnered with educational institutions and businesses to create and implement tailored visions for excellence, underpinned by effective strategies that foster team cultures focused on defining and achieving success. The HEYD Approach, driven by their passion for excellence, enables organisations to unlock their full potential and achieve success consistently. www.euhu.co.uk/heyd  www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-hague-1b8341278/ 

Having met at the IPA Conference in Glasgow, Glenn was delighted to have Dr Pete King as a guest for this edition. Together they talk about his work extending the use and knowledge of Play Cycles in identifying and observing children's play.

This week's guest is the brilliant Ryan Bradshaw, a preschool room leader with over 7 years of experience in Early Years. Ryan recently completed his BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies with a dissertation entitled 'Exploring the challenges and barriers on recruiting men in nursery settings in the UK' as he believes passionately in a diverse workforce.

In this second edition of season 2, Glenn has been chatting with the head of operations for Ashbourne Day Nurseries, Jordan Tully about the meaning of quality and quality interactions. What does quality mean to him and how does he implement that through the nurseries he looks after.

In this edition, Glenn talks to Vince Macleod, an Early Years lecturer with the prestigious Norland College in Bath. They talk about self-regulation and co-regulation and their importance in understanding and supporting behaviour in children.

In the final edition for this season of circle time - the early years podcast, we're talking about children's language and building parents' confidence to support language development. Glenn has been talking to Jordan Stewart, Scotland Development Manager for the Peep project, who train an army of Peep Practitioners to deliver parent friendly sessions.  More information can be found on the website: https://www.peeple.org.uk/ 

In this edition, Glenn talks about "Slow Pedagogy with Professor Alison Clark, who is an honorary research fellow at UCL London and a lecturer with the University of South-Eastern Norway. Her book "Slow knowledge and the unhurried child" is out now.   Professor Clark can be found on Twitter: @westrayalison   The link to the Froebel project and video: https://www.froebel.org.uk/research-library/slow-knowledge-and-the-unhurried-child-time-for-slow-pedagogies-in-early-childhood-education 

On this edition of the podcast, Glenn is speaking to Debbie Garvey, an established early years writer, trainer, and speaker. She's passionately committed to Inclusion, Diversity in Early Childhood and her latest book, Little Brains Matter, a practical guide to Brain Development and Neuroscience in Early Childhood, is out now.

In this episode, Glenn talks to award-winning author and trainer Ben Kingston-Hughes about the power of play, how it should be redefined and how we as practitioners need to encourage parents to join in the play. Ben's book, "An unusual journey through play" is available to purchase now. You can find out more about Ben through his website: http://www.iinspired.org.uk/  He's also on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inspiredchildrentraining/ 

In this edition, Glenn talks to Early Years trainer, author and consultant Dr Sue Allingham (Teddy Edward may also have been there) about how the importance of the child seems to be forgotten in our confusion over what an early years curriculum should look like.   Find out more about Dr Sue Allingham on her website: https://eyoutofthebox.com/  And her very active twitter feed too: https://twitter.com/DrSue22 

In this episode, Glenn talks to Dr Tanya Richardson, a Senior lecturer at the University of Northampton, about her PhD istudy on the imapact of the environment on children's speech and language.

Glenn was excited about this opportunity to talk about the holistic learning benefits of using woodwork in the Early Years setting with renowned expert, Pete Moorhouse. To find out more about Pete's work, or access his online woodwork training course, visit his website: https://irresistible-learning.co.uk/  Woodwork online CPD course: https://irresistible-learning.co.uk/woodwork-cpd-online-course/ Woodwork training and resources https://irresistible-learning.co.uk/woodwork/  Big Bang Research Project https://irresistible-learning.co.uk/woodwork/the-big-bang-research-project/ 

Glenn was privilleged to be joined by Neil Leitch, Chief Executive of England's largest Early Years membership organistation, to talk about the deep crisis the sector is in.   For more information about the Early Years Alliance, please visit their website: https://www.eyalliance.org.uk/