
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


When was the last time you truly learned something new with a child rather than teaching it to them?
Many early years practitioners unintentionally slip into leading every step of a child's learning journey—yet some of the most powerful moments happen when you step back and explore alongside them. In a world where tick-box activities and laminated resources can dominate, co-research offers a richer, more meaningful way to inspire curiosity and critical thinking.
By listening to this episode, you'll discover how to:
Shift your mindset so children become active partners in exploring ideas.
Use co-research to spark deeper engagement, motivation, and problem-solving skills.
Turn everyday questions, like "What do worms eat?", into powerful learning journeys for both you and the children.
Press play now and start transforming your practice with simple, inspiring ways to make children your co-researchers from today. For more information, please visit https://www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com
Do you know how music can rewire a child's brain for learning, and why your setting might be missing out?
In this episode, we explore how daily music-making in early years settings doesn't just entertain, it transforms. If you're striving to boost children's attention, regulation, and learning readiness (especially before phonics!), this is the powerful, research-backed insight you've been waiting for.
Within this episode, you will...
Discover how music strengthens neural connections and lays the groundwork for future learning.
Learn why even the most reluctant practitioners feel confident delivering Boogie Mites sessions.
Hear how music is used to support regulation, SEND, and community cohesion — with proven impact in real settings.
Press play now to find out how music can become your most impactful tool this term, no musical talent required. For more information, visit https://www.boogiemites.co.uk
Have you ever wondered what truly lies behind the behaviours of children in your setting, and how much of it could stem from trauma they've already experienced?
If you're working in early years and increasingly encountering children with challenging behaviour, emotional withdrawal, or signs you can't quite explain, this episode is essential listening. It explores how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), domestic abuse, and neglect manifest in the earliest years, and why early years professionals are uniquely placed to spot them long before formal schooling begins.
Within this episode, you will... 1. Learn how trauma-informed practice and understanding ACEs can empower you to better support the children in your care. 2. Hear directly from Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones about the real-life impact early years professionals have when safeguarding concerns are raised early. 3. Discover why Operation Encompass currently excludes early years—and what you can do to push for much-needed change in the system.
👉 Start listening now to gain practical insights and powerful inspiration that could help you safeguard a child's future starting today. For more information from Donna or the Hampshire Police, follow them here...
Facebook: @HantsPCC @DonnaJonesPCC
LinkedIn: Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Instagram: @hantspcc @donnajonespcc
Do you really know who the vulnerable children are in your setting, or could some be hiding in plain sight?
In today's Early Years landscape, vulnerability isn't always obvious. With increasing family pressures, developmental delays, and environmental challenges, it's more important than ever to truly understand what makes a child vulnerable, and how to spot the signs before they escalate into serious concerns.
Within this episode, you will...
You'll discover the four key categories that help define vulnerability in children.
You'll learn how to use professional curiosity to better support those who may not present with obvious needs.
You'll gain practical insights into strengthening your record-keeping and monitoring so no child slips through the cracks.
Hit play now to gain clarity, confidence, and a simple framework for identifying and supporting vulnerable children in your setting. For more resources, visit: www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com
When Ofsted calls, do you become a bouncing Tigger, a panicked Piglet, or a calming Pooh Bear?
We all react differently under pressure, but how you personally respond during an inspection can make or break the atmosphere in your setting. This episode uses a playful Hundred Acre Wood lens to help you reflect on your behaviour and support your team in doing the same.
Within this episode, you will...
Discover which Winnie the Pooh character you channel when the inspector arrives
Understand the strengths and blind spots that show up in each personality under pressure
Gain insight into how self-awareness can make your team stronger, calmer, and more inspection-ready
Press play now to find out who you really are when Ofsted comes calling, and how that self-knowledge can help you lead with confidence. For more resources, visit: www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com
Are your staff supervisions getting squeezed out of the schedule, rushed, overlooked, or treated like a tick-box exercise?
In a sector where time is tight and expectations are high, effective supervisions can often be sidelined. But when done right, they're a powerful tool to support wellbeing, boost professional growth, and strengthen safeguarding practice, all of the things Ofsted will be looking for.
Within this episode, you will...
Learn how to shift supervision conversations from problem-based to potential-focused.
Discover how to use supervisions to spot safeguarding concerns before they escalate.
Gain practical tips on making supervisions regular, meaningful, and impactful without creating more paperwork.
Hit play now to discover how meaningful supervisions can transform your setting, one conversation at a time. For more resources, visit: www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com
Are you constantly firefighting in your setting instead of confidently leading with intention?
If your days are filled with reacting to problems instead of preventing them, you're not alone. Many early years professionals are stuck in survival mode, this episode explores why that happens and how to shift out of it for good.
Within this episode, you will...
Learn the subtle signs that you're stuck in a reactive cycle and how to spot them in your team.
Discover simple mindset shifts and practices that support a proactive approach to leadership.
Gain practical ideas you can bring to staff meetings to build a proactive culture together.
Tune in now to take back control of your day and start leading with purpose, not panic. Proactive Vs Reactive Questionnaire, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Aq-R_GbHPMxN5UoolDelOo7w2yYXu5CM/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=113337575743005898760&rtpof=true&sd=true
Do your team members ever freeze when asked safeguarding questions during inspections, even though they know the answer?
In the heat of an Ofsted inspection, even confident practitioners can go blank under pressure. This episode offers simple, memorable strategies to help you and your team recall key safeguarding, British values, and inspection knowledge exactly when you need it most.
Within this episode, you will...
Discover clever memory hacks for whom to report safeguarding concerns to—no more confusion between children and staff procedures.
Learn a fun, rhyming way to recall fundamental British values and what they mean in practice.
Gain ready-to-use prompts for remembering types of abuse, the three I's, and how to explain characteristics of effective learning with confidence.
Press play now to arm yourself with easy-to-remember phrases your whole team can use to feel inspection-ready every day.
What if you could ditch your filing cabinet, reclaim 20% of your time, and still stay completely compliant?
If you're drowning in paperwork, juggling staff supervisions, audits, and safeguarding logs across multiple platforms, this episode speaks directly to your chaos, and offers a streamlined solution.
Within this episode, you will...
Discover how one all-in-one platform is transforming operations for preschools, nurseries, and after-school clubs.
Hear real-life feedback from early adopters already ditching their paperwork and loving the change.
Understand how even the least tech-savvy users are navigating the system with ease, and thriving.
Tune in now to hear how Impact Early Years is revolutionising admin in early years settings, and why nearly every setting shown on the platform has signed up immediately. Book a 'Show and Tell' today, https://calendly.com/jigsaweyc-support/show-and-tell
How much time do you waste each week rummaging through filing cabinets trying to find that one crucial document when an inspector walks through the door?
Managing compliance across multiple Early Years settings can feel overwhelming, with scattered paperwork, missed deadlines, and the constant fear of something slipping through the cracks. Discover how a new sector-led platform is transforming how leaders and managers stay inspection-ready, freeing them to focus more on what really matters: high-quality interactions with children.
Within this episode, you will...
Learn how to simplify compliance tracking and reduce the need for endless paper trails and manual follow-ups.
Find out how managers can instantly see what's up to date, what's overdue, and where to focus their time, across all their settings.
Discover how having one central system can dramatically improve readiness for inspections and reduce day-to-day stress for leaders and their teams.
Press play now to hear real-life insights from leaders who are already using this game-changing tool to streamline compliance and reclaim valuable time. Want to find out more? Book a Discovery Call today, https://impactearlyyears.com
From the publisher's feed