Occupational Therapist Helen Buteux joins us this week on the podcast. She shares insights on physical development in the EYFS, the importance of foundational skills, and how occupational therapy can support children and families. This conversation highlights practical advice for parents and educators to foster healthy development from pregnancy through preschool.Episode Links<ul><li><a href="https://earlyexcellence.com/practice-and-pedagogy/fine-motor-skills/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read our Blog on The Importance of Fine Motor Skills in the EYFS</a></li><li><a href="https://earlyexcellence.com/outdoor-provision-audit-tool-3-7yrs/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Download our Free Outdoor Provision Audit Tool</a></li><li><a href="https://earlyexcellence.com/early-years-leaders-conference/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Explore our Upcoming Conference for Early Years Leaders</a></li></ul> Mentioned in this episode:Join our Conference for Early Years Leadershttps://earlyexcellence.com/early-years-leaders-conference/

Join us for an inspiring Early Excellence national conference centred on developing Curriculum and Foundational Knowledge in the Early Years.

Occupational Therapist Helen Buteux joins us this week on the podcast. She shares insights on physical development in the EYFS, the importance of foundational skills, and how occupational therapy can support children and families. This conversation highlights practical advice for parents and educators to foster healthy development from pregnancy through preschool. Episode LinksRead our Blog on The Importance of Fine Motor Skills in the EYFSDownload our Free Outdoor Provision Audit ToolExplore our Upcoming Conference for Early Years Leaders Mentioned in this episode: Join our Conference for Early Years Leaders https://earlyexcellence.com/early-years-leaders-conference/ Join us for an inspiring Early Excellence national conference centred on developing Curriculum and Foundational Knowledge in the Early Years.

Occupational Therapist Helen Buteux joins us this week on the podcast. She shares insights on physical development in the EYFS, the importance of foundational skills, and how occupational therapy can support children and families. This conversation highlights practical advice for parents and educators to foster healthy development from pregnancy through preschool.Episode Links<ul><li><a href="https://earlyexcellence.com/practice-and-pedagogy/fine-motor-skills/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read our Blog on The Importance of Fine Motor Skills in the EYFS</a></li><li><a href="https://earlyexcellence.com/outdoor-provision-audit-tool-3-7yrs/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Download our Free Outdoor Provision Audit Tool</a></li><li><a href="https://earlyexcellence.com/early-years-leaders-conference/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Explore our Upcoming Conference for Early Years Leaders</a></li></ul> Mentioned in this episode:Join our Conference for Early Years Leadershttps://earlyexcellence.com/early-years-leaders-conference/

Join us for an inspiring Early Excellence national conference centred on developing Curriculum and Foundational Knowledge in the Early Years.

A Close Look at Physical development in the EYFS with Helen Buteux

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 2026Leanne 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<ul><li><a href="https://earlyexcellence.com/online-cpd-webinar-programme/national-briefing/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Explore more from Ofsted at our Senior Leader Briefing</a></li><li><a href="https://earlyexcellence.com/early-years-updates/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stay up to date with our Early Years Update Blogs</a></li></ul>

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 LinksExplore more from Ofsted at our Senior Leader BriefingStay up to date with our Early Years Update Blogs

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 2026Leanne 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<ul><li><a href="https://earlyexcellence.com/online-cpd-webinar-programme/national-briefing/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Explore more from Ofsted at our Senior Leader Briefing</a></li><li><a href="https://earlyexcellence.com/early-years-updates/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Stay up to date with our Early Years Update Blogs</a></li></ul>

Navigating Ofsted Inspections: Insights from a Pilot School with Leanne Foster

Learning outdoors is different to learning indoors. Outdoor spaces generally provide more space for physical activity and children will naturally want to explore outdoors using large physical movements. From the outset then, the materials that we provide need to be bigger and more physically challenging than indoors. Children will develop cognitively alongside the development of gross motor skills if we provide opportunities for this.
<a href="https://earlyexcellence.com/">https://earlyexcellence.com</a>

Learning outdoors is different to learning indoors. Outdoor spaces generally provide more space for physical activity and children will naturally want to explore outdoors using large physical movements. From the outset then, the materials that we provide need to be bigger and more physically challenging than indoors. Children will develop cognitively alongside the development of gross motor skills if we provide opportunities for this. https://earlyexcellence.com

Learning outdoors is different to learning indoors. Outdoor spaces generally provide more space for physical activity and children will naturally want to explore outdoors using large physical movements. From the outset then, the materials that we provide need to be bigger and more physically challenging than indoors. Children will develop cognitively alongside the development of gross motor skills if we provide opportunities for this.
<a href="https://earlyexcellence.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://earlyexcellence.com</a>

Exploring the Fantastic Possibilities of Maths Outdoors

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

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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 &amp; the DfE

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