TTS Educators' Podcast

Alistair Bryce-Clegg and Neil Leitch return for a final episode to summarise their discussion so far on funding in Early Years, and how we can improve the language and communication gap in the sector.  

Neil and Alistair emphasise how children are not developing the social skills they need due to a variety of factors, including not having time to develop a 1-2-1 relationship with educators. They also discuss how language is developed through engaging and sharing, which was impacted by the pandemic, and how the parental role is changing through no fault of parents themselves.  

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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 of the TTS Talking Early Years podcast, Alistair Bryce-Clegg continues the conversation around funding in the Early Years with Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance. 

Neil and Alistair delve into the topic of SEN specifically, emphasising the concerning situation of SEN children being rejected by schools who don’t have the staff levels to cope. The current recruitment retention crisis is affecting both staff and children, with essential 1-2-1 support needed that isn’t being funded.  

The episode also expresses the catch-up culture children are now part of as a result of covid, and the difficulties parents faced during this time juggling work and parenting, as well as the parental guilt that came with this.  

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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. 

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined once again by Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance. In this episode, Alistair and Neil cover some of the perceptions around working in Early Years, and how we can improve this.  

They emphasise the challenges of getting the right training and understanding around child development for staff, and the need for community among workers.  

The episode also discusses the critical idea of the rounded child, and the Early Years educator role in raising kind, empathetic children who will be future leaders.  

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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. 

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by Neil Leitch, CEO of the Early Years Alliance. In this episode, they discuss the topic of Early Years funded hours.

The conversation underscores the need for re-focus on what children need and their wellbeing, particularly as Early Years are the critical years for development. They also cover the 3 main reasons people are leaving the Early Years sector, and what can be done to mitigate this. 

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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. 

Alistair Bryce-Clegg and Ann-Marie Christian return for the Series 4 finale of the TTS Talking Early Years Podcast to summarise their discussion so far on the importance of safeguarding in early years education. 

 Alistair and Ann-Marie emphasise the need for a proactive approach to safeguarding, raising awareness among young children and creating a culture of vigilance. Ann-Marie also highlights the significance of using appropriate terminology when discussing private body parts, as well as the importance of understanding the signs and indicators of child abuse, even in cases of child-on-child harm.  

The episode offers practical tips for practitioners, such as laminated posters, regular staff training, and multi-agency working practices. Ann-Marie stresses the need for a collective responsibility in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children, emphasising the reality of hidden abuse that must be addressed. She encourages educators to provide children with a safe and trusting environment to share their stories. 

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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 of the TTS Talking Early Years podcast, Alistair Bryce-Clegg continues the conversation around safeguarding in the Early Years with Ann-Marie Christian, a safeguarding consultant, speaker, and author. 

Ann-Marie and Alistair delve into the importance of safeguarding policies, emphasising the need for practitioners to be aware of national and local legislation, guidance, and procedures. Ann-Marie highlights the significance of the document "Keeping Children Safe in Education", as it provides a legal framework for safeguarding practices. She stresses the importance of clear and transparent safeguarding policies that should be regularly reviewed and updated. 

The episode also explores the role of designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) and the responsibilities they carry, such as managing referrals, attending meetings, and ensuring that safeguarding remains a top priority within the setting.  

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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. 

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined once again by Ann-Marie Christian, a safeguarding consultant, speaker, and author. In this episode, Alistair and Ann-Marie cover some of the challenges to safeguarding and how to overcome them. 

They emphasise the challenges of safeguarding young children who often can't communicate their concerns verbally. They stress the importance of recognising changes in behaviour, not making assumptions about children's wellbeing, and being culturally competent when working with families from diverse backgrounds.  

The episode encourages educational settings to adopt a proactive approach to safeguarding by providing support and resources for parents, such as signposting to food banks and assistance for various issues. They also stress the need for a "golden thread" of safeguarding running through daily practice rather than treating it as an annual formality. 

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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. 

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined by Ann-Marie Christian, a safeguarding consultant, speaker, and author. In this episode, they delve into the crucial topic of safeguarding in the early years. 

The conversation underscores the challenges of recognising safeguarding issues and the role of early years practitioners as vigilant observers. Information sharing within the team is crucial, as child abuse can occur in various settings, even affluent ones. They also stress that cultural beliefs and practices may sometimes clash with safeguarding principles. 

Ann-Marie and Alistair emphasize the complexity of safeguarding and the necessity of training and support for practitioners to make informed decisions that prioritise children's wellbeing.  

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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. 

Alistair Bryce-Clegg and Debs Davies return for the final episode of the topic to discuss practical strategies for supporting the development of neurodivergent children.  

They emphasise the importance of not making assumptions about a child's behaviour and suggest that practitioners should try to understand the reasons behind a child's actions, such as sensory needs. They also highlight the potential harm of punitive measures, like missing break times or public shaming, and how these can negatively impact neurodivergent children. 

Debs and Alistair stress the significance of acceptance and the need for individualised support that respects each child's unique learning style. They believe that creating an inclusive environment for neurodivergent children benefits all children and helps instil valuable life lessons about diversity and acceptance.  

They encourage early years practitioners to expand their understanding and challenge preconceived notions to create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. Debs also underscores the importance of early diagnosis, helping individuals understand their neurodiversity, and fostering a sense of agency.  

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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. 

Alistair Bryce-Clegg is joined again by Debs Davies, a coach and consultant, to discuss how to support children with ADHD and neurodiversity.  

Debs and Alistair emphasise that ADHD affects children differently, highlighting the need for a more flexible and inclusive approach in the early years. Transition periods can be challenging for neurodivergent children due to their struggles with attention, working memory, and starting new tasks. Debs stresses the importance of understanding these challenges rather than assuming defiance or non-compliance.  

They also touch on the long-term impact of negative reinforcement on neurodivergent children's mental health and self-esteem. The episode concludes with a call to create more inclusive educational spaces and empower practitioners to embrace neurodiversity in their teaching. It emphasises the significance of accommodating children's needs without detrimental assumptions about their behaviour. 

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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.