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What if our word for 2026, Belong, was only possible because of the courage we built in 2025?

In this studio conversation, we reflect on why Belong became our word of the year and how last year's focus on Courage gave us the confidence to step outside our comfort zones, challenge old thinking, and truly own our space. It's an honest look at how growth, emotions, and reflection have shaped who we are, together.

In this episode, you will...

• Understand why courage had to come before belonging

• Hear how our reflections, risks, and experiences led us to choose Belong

• Gain insight into how intentional words can shape direction, mindset, and identity

Press play to join us in the studio as we reflect on courage, step into belonging, and set the tone for everything that 2026 holds. For more resources, visit www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com

What does a full year of choosing courage actually look like behind the scenes? In this episode, we reflect honestly on the risks we took, the fears we pushed through, and the moments we nearly talked ourselves out of big decisions, the kind of courage that doesn't look flashy, but quietly changes everything.

Within this episode, you will...

• Get a real, unfiltered look at the decisions that shaped our year

• A powerful insight into how courage shows up in everyday leadership, not just big moments

• A perspective that helps you reflect on your own year with kindness and clarity

Hit play to join us in looking back on a year of courage, and take a moment to recognise just how far you've come too. For more resources, visit https://www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com

Are you fully prepared for what really happens during the new Ofsted planning call?

With the inspection framework shifting towards a more collaborative, observation-focused process, many providers are unsure what information to share, how to structure that initial call, and how to confidently shine rather than panic. This episode breaks down exactly what you need to know so you can step into your next inspection with clarity instead of overwhelm.

Within this episode, you will... - Learn the key questions inspectors now ask on the planning call and how to answer them with confidence. - Understand how to showcase your curriculum's intent clearly and connect it to your ethos and vision - Gain practical insights into safeguarding expectations, staff roles, and how to demonstrate strengths and improvements effectively.

Hit play now to get the essential guidance you need to approach your next Ofsted planning call feeling prepared, confident and inspection-ready. For more resources, visit www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com

Do you ever feel like miscommunication or a lack of teamwork is holding your nursery team back from being at its best?

In busy Early Years settings, where everyone's juggling endless tasks, it's easy for teamwork to break down and for communication to feel like a game of Chinese whispers. This episode explores how to strengthen your team dynamic, whether you manage a large nursery or a small, close-knit group, so that everyone feels heard, valued, and motivated.

Within this episode, you will...

• Discover how understanding your team's "love languages" can transform morale and motivation.

• Learn simple communication routines that create clarity, connection, and consistency.

• Gain practical tips to ensure every member of your team, no matter their role, feels visible, supported, and part of something bigger.

Listen now and uncover simple ways to open new channels of communication and find out all about the world of Love Languages. The Love Languages Quiz, https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language

Are you sure every child in your setting truly feels like they belong, or could some be getting unintentionally overlooked?

With inclusion now forming one of the seven evaluation areas in the updated inspection toolkit, inspectors will no longer take your word for it; they'll want to see how you're identifying needs, adapting practice, and ensuring every child is actively involved and thriving.

Within this episode, you will...

1. Explore what genuine inclusion looks like in everyday practice, far beyond policies and paperwork.
2. Take away realistic ways to adapt your routines, environment, and interactions so that every child feels seen, supported, and celebrated.
3. Learn how strong inclusion strengthens leadership, builds family trust, and helps your setting shine during inspection.

Tune in now to discover how to turn inclusion from a box-ticking task into a daily reality that proves every child truly matters. For more support, visit www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com

Are you ready to celebrate Jigsaw's 9th birthday and discover the brand-new Get Inspection Ready book that's set to transform how you approach inspections?

In this episode, we're marking nine incredible years of Jigsaw and unveiling the brand-new Get Inspection Ready book, your complete step-by-step guide to navigating the new Early Years inspection toolkit. From understanding grading changes to preparing with confidence, this episode explores how the book can support you and your team every step of the way.

Within this episode, you will...

• Gain clarity on how to apply the new inspection principles in your everyday practice.

• Hear Vanessa share real-life experiences from her own Early Years management journey, packed with insight and encouragement.

• Celebrate the positivity and passion behind a recent successful webinar that inspired so many in the sector.

Tune in now to join the celebration, hear more about the special launch prices, and find out how to grab your copy of Get Inspection Ready today! Pick up your copy today, https://amzn.eu/d/97lS65U

Are you confident your team truly understands the difference between safeguarding and children's welfare and wellbeing, or could confusion be putting your inspection rating at risk?

In this episode, we break down the latest updates in the inspection toolkit, helping you avoid a common pitfall many early years settings face: blurring the line between safeguarding and welfare responsibilities. If you've ever wondered why your risk assessments or hygiene practices aren't being recognised under safeguarding, this episode will give you the clarity you need.

Within this episode, you will...

• Gain a clear understanding of how safeguarding and children's welfare and wellbeing are now evaluated separately under the new toolkit.

• Discover how to evidence proactive and reactive safeguarding practices confidently during inspection.

• Learn practical ways to support your team in embedding these updates into daily routines and staff meetings.

Start listening now to get ahead of your next inspection and make sure your safeguarding practices shine for all the right reasons. For more resources, visit www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com

Are you spending hours rifling through paperwork and still feeling unprepared for inspections in your early years setting?

In this episode, we dive into how the Impact Early Years platform has evolved to save time, streamline compliance, and give managers real clarity—solving the daily frustrations of managing staffing, safeguarding, and operations.

By listening, you'll discover how to:

1. Quickly identify and address safeguarding, staffing, and operational concerns with intuitive RAG dashboards.

2. Streamline your staff supervisions, peer observations, and return-to-work processes—all digitally tracked in one place.

3. Save time and stay organised with automated calendars, audits, and developmental learning notes that keep your setting inspection-ready.

Tune in to explore the platform's newest features and learn practical ways to make your setting fully inspection-ready. Book a Show and Tell to find out more about Impact, https://calendly.com/jigsaweyc-support/show-and-tell

Have you ever wondered how the very layout, lighting, and feel of your nursery could directly influence children's speech and language development?

With growing concerns about communication delays in early years, this episode explores groundbreaking research that could transform how practitioners design learning spaces. If you've ever felt stretched for time or wished your environment could "do more of the talking," you'll want to hear what this study discovered.

Within this episode, you will...

• Gain insight into a brand-new, research-backed tool that helps audit environments to support children's speech and language.

• Learn how small adjustments to layout, acoustics, and resources can significantly enhance communication development.

• Discover how one nursery group transformed research findings into practical improvements that boosted children's language outcomes.

Press play now to uncover how your setting's environment could be the secret ingredient to unlocking every child's voice. For more resources, visit www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com

With the new Early Years inspection framework changing how safeguarding is judged, shifting to a simple 'met' or 'not met' outcome, it's never been more crucial to ensure your whole team understands what safeguarding looks like in practice every single day. This episode helps you avoid the small oversights that could lead to a big impact on your inspection result.

Within this episode, you will...

• Learn exactly what inspectors will look for when assessing safeguarding under the new framework.

• Discover common pitfalls that cause settings to fall short and how to avoid them.

• Gain practical steps to build your team's confidence so safeguarding becomes a natural, daily habit rather than a tick-box task.

Start listening now to make sure your setting is inspection-ready, and confident that safeguarding will always be a solid 'met'. For more resources, visit, https://www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com