Why are so few men working in early years settings—and how can we change that?

The early years sector is facing staffing shortages, and the lack of male practitioners is more noticeable than ever. But is it just about pay, or is there a deeper issue at play? In this episode, we explore the barriers preventing more men from entering early years education and why their presence can make a real difference.

Within this episode, you will...

• Understand why men are underrepresented in early years and what’s stopping them from joining the profession.
• Discover the unique benefits male practitioners bring to children’s development and learning.
• Learn practical ways to encourage more male role models in early years settings, even if you don’t have male staff.

Tune in now to hear real experiences, insights, and strategies for making early years a more inclusive and diverse profession.

For resources to support you on your Early Years journey, visit, www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com Follow us on Facebook, @JigsawEYC Follow us on Instagram @jigsaw.earlyyears Follow us on Tiktok @JigsawEYC 

Today, I'd like to delve into a topic we haven't explored on this podcast before, Display Boards. These boards can have a huge impact on the children's learning and development, making it essential that we engage them in the process and tailor the displays to their interests.

Display boards can be such a helpful tool to use within a setting, providing visual aids to reinforce learning concepts and showcasing the children's work. We must ensure we are getting them right to ensure they effectively support learning.

Within this episode, you will learn about: - The Importance of Child-Led Display Boards. - Why We Need To Keep Display Boards at a Child's Level. - How To Link Display Boards to The Interest of The Children. Show Notes, The Inspection Hub, https://www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com/the-early-years-inspection-hub/  6 Top Tips for Display Boards Freebie, https://www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com/product/top-tips-for-display-boards/ For resources to support you on your Early Years journey, visit, www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com Follow us on Facebook, @JigsawEYC Follow us on Instagram @jigsaw.earlyyears Follow us on Tiktok @JigsawEYC 

Are you ready to master the perfect learning walk and showcase your setting like a pro?

If you're an early years practitioner, you know how nerve-wracking inspections can be. This episode dives deep into strategies that can help you confidently lead a learning walk, making sure both you and your team shine in front of inspectors.

Within this episode, you will... 1. Learn how to simplify your learning walk and highlight your key points effectively. 2. Discover how to empower your team to take ownership and impress the inspector. 3. Gain practical tips on using real-life examples to demonstrate impact during the inspection.

Play this episode now and get ready to transform your next inspection with expert advice that will boost your confidence and wow your inspector. Show notes: Learning Walk Audit, https://www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com/product/learning-walk-audit/

JigsawEYC App, https://www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com/the-jigsaw-membership-app/  For resources to support you on your Early Years journey, visit, www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com

Are your activities helping children truly learn and grow, or are they just tick-box exercises for your inspection?

If you're preparing for an inspection or aiming to improve your everyday practice, this episode explores how to transform simple activities into powerful learning experiences that inspectors—and children—will love. Within this episode, you will...

• Discover how to turn mundane, adult-led tasks into rich, child-centred learning.
• Learn how to incorporate sustained shared thinking to stretch and challenge every child.
• Understand how thoughtful, purposeful activities can naturally showcase your setting’s strengths during an inspection.

Find out how to unlock practical tips for creating impactful activities that leave a lasting impression—on children and inspectors alike!

For resources to support you on your Early Years journey, visit, www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com Follow us on Facebook, @JigsawEYC Follow us on Instagram @jigsaw.earlyyears Follow us on Tiktok @JigsawEYC 

In this lively podcast episode, Faye and Sian, co-owners of Polka Dot Farm Nursery in Essex, share their journey of creating a unique vibrant nursery with authenticity and innovation.

They emphasise the importance of being true to oneself in business, highlighting that success doesn't necessarily depend on having a massive following but on connecting deeply with your audience. They discuss the power of creating a buzz around their nursery by being authentically themselves and fostering a supportive and fun environment for staff and families.

Within this episode, you will learn about: - The Importance of Being Authentic with Your Marketing. - Embracing Innovation To Help You Stand Out From The Crowd. - Why We Need To Value Our Team.

Show notes:

Owners and Managers IMPACT Conference, https://www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com/owners-managers-impact-conference-2024/ 

JigsawEYC App, https://www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com/the-jigsaw-membership-app/

For resources to support you on your Early Years journey, visit, www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com Follow us on Facebook, @JigsawEYC Follow us on Instagram @jigsaw.earlyyears Follow us on Tiktok @JigsawEYC 

Did you know that understanding your team’s love languages could be the key to boosting morale and productivity at work?

In today's episode, we explore how the concept of love languages can transform your team's dynamics and even enhance children's emotional and social development in early years settings.

Within this episode, you will...

1. Discover practical ways to identify and apply love languages in your professional environment.
2. Learn how to create a more supportive and nurturing atmosphere for both adults and children.
3. Gain insights into fostering stronger connections and appreciation among team members.

Tune in now to uncover how love languages can revolutionise your leadership and childcare strategies—play the episode and start making a difference today!

Show notes:

Love Languages Quiz, https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language 

Love Languages Freebie, https://www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com/product/love-languages-poster/

Leadership Programme, https://www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com/training/virtual-training-via-zoom/impact-leadership-programme/ 

What would you do if an Ofsted inspection was announced tomorrow? Would your team be ready to shine?

In this episode, we dive into the story of Munchkins Nursery’s latest inspection experience, where a newly appointed manager, just three weeks into her role, led her team through a successful inspection. If you're feeling uncertain about your own readiness, this is a must-listen for you! Within this episode, you will...

- Discover how Munchkins Nursery prepared their entire team, from apprentices to managers, for a confident inspection day. - Learn practical tips to embed inspection readiness across all levels of staff in your setting. - Hear how Munchkins’ unique curriculum design helped them shine under the inspector's scrutiny.

Listen today to hear Munchkins Nursery’s inspiring journey and learn how you can take actionable steps to prepare your team for their best inspection day!

For resources to support you on your Early Years journey, visit, www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com Follow us on Facebook, @JigsawEYC Follow us on Instagram @jigsaw.earlyyears Follow us on Tiktok @JigsawEYC 

Have you recently faced the stress of an inadequate Ofsted inspection, leaving you overwhelmed and unsure of your next steps?

This episode dives into the immediate actions you should take after receiving an inadequate grading, helping you understand how to turn the situation around and avoid common pitfalls that could be impacting your setting's success.

Within this episode, you will...

1. Learn how to create a robust action plan that satisfies Ofsted’s requirements.
2. Discover essential steps to improve safeguarding practices and protect children in your care.
3. Understand how to effectively manage staff-to-child ratios during crucial times of the day.

Don’t let an inadequate inspection define your future—tune in now to gain practical strategies and expert advice to start improving your setting today.

For resources to support you on your Early Years journey, visit, www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com Follow us on Facebook, @JigsawEYC Follow us on Instagram @jigsaw.earlyyears Follow us on Tiktok @JigsawEYC 

Have you ever wondered how to truly prepare your preschool for an inspection and ensure the best outcomes?

In this episode, we explore the journey of a small preschool that turned its required improvement rating into a success story, a challenge that many early years practitioners face today.

Within this episode, you will...

1. Learn practical strategies for using tools like talking tins to support children with English as an additional language.
2. Discover how to boost staff confidence and preparedness for inspections through focused training and feedback.
3. Understand the importance of a robust operational checklist to spot patterns and make informed improvements.

Start listening to this episode now to uncover practical insights and tips that can improve your setting's next inspection.

Talking tins, https://www.talkingproducts.com/collections/talking-tins-learning-resources QIA's, https://www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com/services/quality-improvement-audits/ JigsawEYC App, https://www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com/the-jigsaw-membership-app/  For resources to support you on your Early Years journey, visit, www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com Follow us on Facebook, @JigsawEYC Follow us on Instagram @jigsaw.earlyyears Follow us on Tiktok @JigsawEYC 

Have you ever received a grade you weren’t expecting during an inspection? What if you knew exactly how to turn a Requires Improvement into a success story?

Many Early Years providers face the challenge of improving inspection outcomes, often feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. This episode provides clear steps to help you recover, regroup, and raise the quality of your setting.

Within this episode, you will...

1. Discover a proven 24-hour strategy to manage your emotions and move forward positively.
2. Learn how to identify and address key areas for improvement in your setting.
3. Gain practical tips on strengthening staff interactions, curriculum planning, and safeguarding compliance.

Have a listen and see how we can help you transform your setting from 'Requires Improvement' to something amazing! Devise Your Own Curriculum Training, https://www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com/product/devise-your-own-curriculum-impact-training/  For resources to support you on your Early Years journey, visit, www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com Follow us on Facebook, @JigsawEYC Follow us on Instagram @jigsaw.earlyyears Follow us on Tiktok @JigsawEYC