Early Excellence Podcast

In this, our 200th Episode, we’re joined by Nancy Stewart. We explore Nancy’s career at the forefront of early years education and also the new updated version of Birth to 5 Matters.

Episode Links

1. Explore the Birth to 5 Matters Guidance
2. Read the Survey Responses
3. Invest in the Continuous Provision Guides
4. Discover the EExREC Baseline Assessment Tool

What happens when you take early years learning outside the classroom — and into the woods?

Re-release: Originally aired on 24 Oct 2025

Claire Underwood shares her journey in early years education, from teaching in affluent areas to leading outdoor learning at Hopping Hill School. She introduces Wonderwood, a nature-based space that inspires creativity and connection, and reflects on the importance of adult engagement, teacher wellbeing, and belonging in early education.

Episode Links

1. Join the New Outdoor Roadshow at a Location Near You
2. Explore our Complete Outdoor Learning Solutions

Emma Weston is our guest for this week’s episode of the podcast. Emma is a Learning Designer at Verso International School in Bangkok. As part of the conversation, Emma takes us on a tour of their inspirational learning environments and we also explore how Emma and her team follow children’s interests, and plan fascinating projects.

Episode Links

1. Discover our support for International Schools & Settings
2. Read how San Silvestre School in Lima transformed their Early Years and Key Stage One provision through international EYFS consultancy.

This week, we’re joined by Eugene Minogue, Interim Executive Director at Play England. We discuss the vital importance of play and the barriers to it within society. We also explore what needs to happen to create a positive cultural shift around play.

Episode Links

1. Explore Play England's Official Website
2. Listen to our Episode with Ruth Lue-Quee

In this episode, Anne Brass and Kate Gingles join us to discuss mixed-age classes and the complexities schools face when change is driven by necessity rather than vision. The conversation explores the difficulty of establishing a clear guiding purpose, the pressures that can lead to structural change, and the limited guidance available for schools navigating transformation in mixed-age classrooms.

Episode Links

1. Order our New Guide to Mixed-Aged Classes
2. Discover more from Education Durham
3. Download the Free School Leader Reflection Tool on Mixed-Aged Classes
4. Find out more about the Education Durham Mixed Phase Magic guidance books

Practical guidance for planning, resourcing, and delivering high-quality outdoor learning in the EYFS.

Re-release: Originally aired on 15 Nov 2024

In this episode, Evan McCormick explores the key principles of effective outdoor learning in the early years. We discuss the importance of thoughtful organisation, purposeful resourcing, and careful planning, alongside the vital role of the adult in supporting learning outdoors. The conversation focuses on creating outdoor environments that are engaging, well-structured, and responsive to children’s needs.

Episode Links

1. Join The Outdoor Roadshow
2. Is Outdoor Learning a key area for development at your school or setting? Find Out About our Training
3. Our Team of Curriculum Consultants are available to support you in developing your outdoor space. Find Out About our Outdoor Planning Service
4. Listen To Evan's First Podcast Episode

This week, we’re joined by Leanne Foster as we discuss her experience of a pilot Ofsted inspection at her school. We discuss the focus on the EYFS and the conversations that Leanne and her team had with the inspectors as part of the process.

Episode Links

1. Explore more from Ofsted at our Senior Leader Briefing
2. Stay up to date with our Early Years Update Blogs

In this week’s episode we meet with Charlotte Knight- Benjafield and Rob Spillane from Wellington College in Shanghai. We discuss their bilingual and immersive curriculum and how they use project based learning to fully embed effective learning characteristics.

Episode Links

1. Discover our support for International Schools and Settings
2. Explore more about Wellington College

In this episode, we explore the key features of effective practice outdoors with the inspirational Kathryn Solly. As part of the conversation, we discuss the importance of creating a positive culture towards outdoor learning and explore a broad range of rich outdoor experiences.

Episode Links

1. Discover our brand new Outdoor Range
2. Watch the Outdoor Range launch video
3. Explore the Outdoor Roadshow
4. Order Kathryn's Book "Leading Learning Outdoors from Birth to Seven"

In this episode, Lana Webster shares her experience of Forest School and outdoor learning, exploring how child-led experiences in nature support wellbeing, skill development, and meaningful learning. Lana reflects on creating safe, magical outdoor environments, working with families, and the positive impact outdoor provision has on both children and staff.

Episode Links

1. Discover our brand new Outdoor Range
2. Watch the Outdoor Range launch video
3. Explore the Outdoor Roadshow
4. Learn more about Lana’s Forest School approach