TTS Educators' Podcast

In this episode, Ruth Lue-Quee and Andre Imich discuss whether the Early Years sector is adequately equipped to support children with SEN. They highlight that the volume of children needing attention often surpasses the available support, particularly in areas like speech and language therapy. While there is strong ambition to improve, the sector still faces challenges with providing the right level of support and ensuring consistency, especially with the increasing use of agency staff. 

Ruth and Andre outline key areas for improvement, including having a robust Early Years curriculum, sufficient staffing, effective communication with parents, and strong liaison with specialists. Despite these challenges, they also discuss the positives and the potential for a flexible, supportive future for SEN in the Early Years sector.  

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(The views expressed throughout this podcast are the speakers' own, and TTS does not take responsibility for the views and guidance highlighted as part of this recording.)  

Please note: When referencing the speakers views, theory and work for development of your own materials, please ensure academic reference of the speaker is cited. 

In this episode, Ruth Lue-Quee and Andre Imich delve into the complexities of supporting children with multiple types of SEN in the early years. They explain that most children with SEN have more than one need, such as a child with hearing impairment also facing speech and language challenges. Understanding these co-occurring needs is essential, as conditions like autism can involve a range of issues that require specific interventions. 

Ruth and Andre offer practical strategies for practitioners, noting that many approaches benefit all children, not just those with SEN. They suggest creating orderly, predictable environments and providing consistent responses to support learning. They also emphasise the importance of keeping thorough records, using multi-sensory teaching methods, and adapting to different learning styles. Their key takeaway is to focus on play and utilise basic strategies like repetition and varied learning opportunities to aid all children’s development. 

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(The views expressed throughout this podcast are the speakers' own, and TTS does not take responsibility for the views and guidance highlighted as part of this recording.)  

Please note: When referencing the speakers views, theory and work for development of your own materials, please ensure academic reference of the speaker is cited. 

Host Ruth Lue-Quee is joined again by SEN expert Andre Imich as they discuss identifying SEN needs in Early Years. In this episode, they explore how to balance developmental expectations with a child’s individual needs, and the benefits of adapting the curriculum to support them better.  

Ruth and Andre share practical tips for identifying SEN, such as paying attention to how children communicate non-verbally, how they play, and their behaviour. They stress the importance of working closely with parents and using a clear process to address concerns. They also encourage practitioners to seek help from specialists when needed, and keep communication open with parents and support services.  

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(The views expressed throughout this podcast are the speakers' own, and TTS does not take responsibility for the views and guidance highlighted as part of this recording.)  

Ruth Lue-Quee kicks off this new series with expert guest André Imich, as they dive into the complexities of Special Education Needs in the Early Years. With over a decade of experience as the SEN and Disability Professional Adviser for the DfE, Andre brings a wealth of knowledge on identifying and supporting children with SEN. 

Ruth and Andre discuss what SEN truly means in an Early Years context, address common misconceptions, and the challenges settings face with the rise in SEN needs over the past few years. They also explore the resources available to practitioners, and whether a formal diagnosis is needed to access help.

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(The views expressed throughout this podcast are the speakers' own, and TTS does not take responsibility for the views and guidance highlighted as part of this recording.)  

Please note: When referencing the speakers views, theory and work for development of your own materials, please ensure academic reference of the speaker is cited. 

In this episode, Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by Ruth Swailes, award-winning Early Years specialist, to discuss the transition from Early Years education. They emphasise the importance of maintaining familiarity for children, suggesting that Year 1 should retain elements of the foundation stage, such as having an art area for children who enjoyed art in foundation. 

Ruth and Alistair advocate for viewing transitions as a process rather than a one-time event, recognising that abrupt changes can affect children differently. They stress the need to make transitions as seamless as possible and encourage educators to continually ask, "What is it like to be a child in this transition process?" 

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(The views expressed throughout this podcast are the speakers' own, and TTS does not take responsibility for the views and guidance highlighted as part of this recording.)  

Please note: When referencing the speakers views, theory and work for development of your own materials, please ensure academic reference of the speaker is cited. 

In this episode, Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined again by Ruth Swailes, award-winning Early Years specialist, to discuss school readiness and its implications in Early Years education. They shift the focus from children being ready for school to schools being ready for children, emphasising the unique needs of each child.  

Ruth and Alistair challenge the conventional notion of readiness, which often ties it to compliance and discipline rather than effective learning, especially for neurodiverse children. They highlight that behaviours like 'good listening' vary among children and discuss the critical role of physical development in acquiring skills such as reading and writing. 

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(The views expressed throughout this podcast are the speakers' own, and TTS does not take responsibility for the views and guidance highlighted as part of this recording.)  

Please note: When referencing the speakers views, theory and work for development of your own materials, please ensure academic reference of the speaker is cited. 

In this episode, Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined once again by Ruth Swailes, award-winning Early Years specialist, to discuss building skills in the Early Years curriculum. They emphasise that skill development stems from quality continuous provision and offer tips for crafting a curriculum tailored to specific school settings.  

Ruth and Alistair delve into the essential areas for practitioners to consider when building curriculum, from questions about your individual staff and children, to the impact of furniture and timetables. They stress that everything done in the classroom should benefit the children and highlight the role of adults as facilitators of learning rather than rigid enforcers of curriculum. The conversation also underscores the importance of child-led learning in fostering development.  

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(The views expressed throughout this podcast are the speakers' own, and TTS does not take responsibility for the views and guidance highlighted as part of this recording.)  

Please note: When referencing the speakers views, theory and work for development of your own materials, please ensure academic reference of the speaker is cited. 

In this episode, Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by Ruth Swailes, award-winning Early Years specialist, to discuss the current landscape of the Early Years curriculum. They explore what an Early Years curriculum entails, a term that often intimidates practitioners.  

Ruth and Alistair address the pressures of top-down mandates and emphasise the importance of creating curriculums tailored to the individual needs of children. They highlight the flexibility required to adapt to various settings and advocate for challenging the idea that a more formal curriculum is superior. The discussion finally underscores the value of play and where the best learning experiences truly happen. 

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(The views expressed throughout this podcast are the speakers' own, and TTS does not take responsibility for the views and guidance highlighted as part of this recording.)  

Please note: When referencing the speakers views, theory and work for development of your own materials, please ensure academic reference of the speaker is cited. 

In this episode, Alistair Bryce-Clegg and Ben Kingston-Hughes discuss the transformative power of play for vulnerable children. They highlight how play genuinely changes lives, and is essential for children’s growth and development into resilient adults.  

They focus on strategies for engaging vulnerable children in play, suggesting providing half-built play materials to spark creativity and help children feel more comfortable and supported. The role of adults is emphasised in giving children the freedom to explore, and how dedicating extra time to play can enhance the mental health of an entire family. This episode offers valuable insights and advice for practitioners on how to incorporate play, and creating an environment that benefits everyone involved.  

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(The views expressed throughout this podcast are the speakers' own, and TTS does not take responsibility for the views and guidance highlighted as part of this recording.)  

Please note: When referencing the speakers views, theory and work for development of your own materials, please ensure academic reference of the speaker is cited. 

In this episode, Alistair Bryce-Clegg and Ben Kingston-Hughes dive into the importance of humour in play and its vital social function. They discuss how humour requires a lot of imagination and creativity, making it a powerful tool for engaging children and enhancing learning.  

Alistair and Ben highlight how humour in play encourages pro-social behaviour, even if what children find funny seems silly to adults. With a more creative and relaxed environment created by humour, children’s wellbeing and openness to learning is boosted. This episode offers valuable insights and practical advice on incorporating humour into play, helping children become creative and socially adept.   

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(The views expressed throughout this podcast are the speakers' own, and TTS does not take responsibility for the views and guidance highlighted as part of this recording.)  

Please note: When referencing the speakers views, theory and work for development of your own materials, please ensure academic reference of the speaker is cited.