Astrea Academy Trust embarked on the Brain-SET project looking at classroom design through the lens of children's brain development. This year-long project focused on enabling children to feel emotionally secure and ready for learning, by looking at classroom design in terms of lighting, noise, the use of colour, furniture layout and more. The overall aim was to really bring calm into children's lives, which is particularly important for areas of disadvantage which Astrea Academy Trust...

In this episode Carla Ward and Angelica Celinska unpick what are ‘yes spaces’, and in doing so they address children’s agency, risky play, knowing your limits, leadership and workplace culture, teaching children to respect boundaries, feeling control over your life, giving children the autonomy to know and feel who they are and so much more… Find Carla Ward at: https://elfoundations.com/ Listen to more: If you enjoyed this episode you might also like – Life skills over academic...

Peer exclusion is a major concern for preschool children. In this episode we explore research findings on the regular instances of both exclusion and inclusion in a nursery setting. We discuss children’s natural, biological need for belonging and dependence on the adult, how resourceful children can be, children not merely accepting exclusionary situations, adult guidance rather than teaching, the adult not having 100% control and much more… To read and listen to the whole research series...

Early years is a key priority for Astrea Academy Trust, who strive to give each child the best start in life, focusing on developmental needs of the children and not just their academic achievement. Which is why Astrea Academy Trust embarked on the Brain-SET project looking at classroom design through the lens of children's brain development. This year-long project addressed classroom design in terms of lighting, noise, the use of colour, furniture layout and more. The aim was to really...

This episode shares research findings around children's nuanced understanding of fairness, extending beyond material possessions and entering the complexities of equality vs equity. We discuss how to embed sustainability within the curriculum, the production, consumption and distribution of resources, sociocultural and economic influences on sharing, a multi-disciplinary approach to sustainability and much more. To read and listen to the whole research series...

Professor Julie Fisher tells us all about her seminal text; Starting from the child? This episode marks an exciting time as Julie publishes the 5th edition of her book.  Julie explains how Starting from the child? began in the 1990's, and how it responds to policy and practice, and follows the history of early childhood education in England.  To find out about Julie Fisher's book launch visit: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/starting-from-the-child/ Episode break down: 00:00 - How...

There are 3 main skills for social sustainability... Do you know what these could be? Researcher Carmela Garcia Manas identified these skills through her research which are vital for children to develop for their understanding of social sustainability, and to be able to engage as active citizens as part of society.  In this episode we pose the reflective question of:  Does your curriculum allow for the development of these vital skills?  We also ponder on the fact that there is more...

Researcher Carmela Garcia Manas explains that children are followers, enforcers and creators of social norms. Carmela talks about an important finding from her research of just how highly influenced children are by the presence of the adult. To read and listen to the whole research series visit: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/articles/sustainability/ Tune into next week's episode on: The essential skills for social sustainability  If you enjoyed this episode you might also like to...

Children's understanding of power dynamics are explored through the concept of 'possession as a form of power', in the context of social sustainability. Researcher Carmela Garcia Manas shares her findings in this third episode in a research series around education for social sustainability. To read and listen to the whole research series visit: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/articles/sustainability/ Tune into next week's episode on the impact and power of the adult on children’s ...

Here Carmela shares the first theme uncovered from her findings, centred around children’s perceptions of poverty and race. This is the second episode in a research series around education for social sustainability by Carmela Garcia Manas. Carmela is the Headmistress of Miss Daisy’s Chelsea and PhD researcher at University of Dundee.  To read and listen to the whole research series visit: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/childrens-perceptions-of-race-and-poverty/ Tune into next week's...

This is the first episode in a research series around education for social sustainability by Carmela Garcia Manas. Carmela is the Headmistress of Miss Daisy’s Chelsea and PhD researcher at University of Dundee, she introduces her PhD research in this episode, and breaks down the findings into several themes in the follow up episodes.  To read Carmela's article visit: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/education-for-social-sustainability-through-sociodramatic-play/  Tune into next week's...

This podcast episode is the first in a series focused around men in early years.  An honest, reflective account of what it is like for a man to work in early years. Kevin Nelson shares his personal journey, including the honest truths in the podcast episode. Kevin also poses ideas of how we can encourage more men to choose the early years as a career, or even a stepping stone.  To read Kevin's article visit: ...

Do we focus too much on academic success over life skills? This is certainly the case in many prep schools. Zanna Clarke, Principal of Miss Daisy’s Nursery Schools, and Carmela Garcia Manas, Headmistress of Miss Daisy’s Chelsea and PhD researcher at University of Dundee, discuss the challenges they navigate around societal and parental expectations when working in the more privileged areas of London. To read Carmela's and Zanna's article visit: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com  If...

This is a very special episode which marks 1 year of The Voice of Early Childhood (TVOEC) since launching in April 2023. Which is why things are flipped and our usual host is the guest this time! Adam Marycz speaks to the Founder of TVOEC: Angelica Celinska. They begin with the values and vision of TVOEC, where it all began and why, as well as the challenges along the way. This episode is a very open and honest discussion, with an inside look at TVOEC - Adam asks Angelica unexpected...

Enya Last talks to Angelica about educator and employee wellbeing. Enya is the co-owner of Enya's Childcare which she started with her husband. She shares with us her personal journey as a business owner and leader, and provides us with tips on how to support your team's wellbeing.  This episode is in partnership with Edufeel - Edufeel is committed to increasing the mental health literacy of our workforce and creating zero stigma to safeguard the wellbeing of educators for the present and...

Anne Brass and Jan Dubiel introduce the Durham Early Years Curriculum Project. This project involves 26 schools across Durham, focusing on strengthening purposeful curriculum design and implementation, and empowering leaders and educators in creating meaningful contexts for progressive teaching and learning.  This episode is the first in a series on Education Durham, an ongoing project with Durham Education and Coram Hempsall's. Upcoming episodes and articles will include project progress...

Greshma Momaya and Angelica Celinska discuss gender equality in early childhood classrooms and settings. Greshma shares practice from her school in India, providing examples and tips on how to ensure we not only promote gender equality, but also notice when we unknowingly might place or communicate gender bias. They discuss a gender neutral curriculum, challenging your own deep rooted, subconscious gender biases and much more.  Episode break down: 00:00 - Greshma's 'why' 02:37 - Children's...

Dr Stella Louis provides an overview around the grounding elements of the Froebelian approach. This includes unity and connectedness, observations and the role of the adult. The key messages are: starting from the child by observing what they already know and can do, having a good understanding of children's development and focusing on how children learn rather than what children learn.  To learn more about Friedrich Froebel and the Froebelian approach visit: ...

Adam Marycz and Angelica Celinska discuss the divisive narrative between the early years sector and the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofsted. They discuss the challenging, unpleasant and damaging recent events around the education sector and Ofsted, including the case around Ruth Perry, the headteacher who took her own life, as well as the silencing of influential voices in the early years sector by the DfE.  This is a podcast episode which is a challenging discussion, but it is highly...

Dr Kathryn Murray talks us through the Brain-SET Environments Formula, which is all about creating a calm learning environment through a skills based pedagogy. Dr Murray explains that it is much more than where you put the furniture; she shares with us a deeper look at creating learning environments with brain development at the centre. Some of the thought-provoking points discussed are:  00:30 - Dr Kathryn Murray's background 02:25 - The beginnings of Brain-SET 05:58 - Aesthetics of the...

For 10% off our conference tickets visit: www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2024/ If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like -  PE in early years with Josh Candy - www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/pe-in-early-years/  Physical Development Early Learning Goals: What are they for? With Dr Lala Manners - www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/physical-development-goals-eyfs/  Dr Nalda Wainwright, Associate professor and Director of applied research academy for physical...

For 10% off our conference tickets visit: www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2024/ In this episode Jordan Tully, an experienced Head of Operations in early childhood, discusses business and profit in education, specifically focusing in on what growth and sustainability looks like, seeking out investment, staff recruitment, retention, working with your local community and marketing your setting. Some highlights include: Retention reducing unnecessary spend on...

Book onto Prerna Richards' Online Webinar and Q+A on The Voice of Early Childhood www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-brain-behaviour-and-learning-connecting-the-dots  For 10% off our conference tickets visit: www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2024/ Prerna Richards is an early childhood education consultant who helps educators and parents/carers to understand children's behaviour and support their development of new skills required to change challenging behaviour....

Ben Kingston-Hughes will be presenting a keynote session at The Voice of Early Childhood Conference on 16th March 2024. Be sure not to miss out!  For 10% off our conference tickets visit: www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2024/ Ben Kingston-Hughes talks about giving children the chance to be children through experiencing more moments of joy in their lives. Ben gives us insight into the work he does with vulnerable children and the knowledge he has from neuroscience as...

Kinderly Learn proudly sponsors this podcast with Dr Valerie Daniel - one of Kinderly Learn’s regular expert speakers and authors. To find out more about Kinderly Learn, visit www.kinderly.co.uk/cpd-training For 10% off our conference tickets visit: www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2024/.  Dr Valerie Daniel discusses creative pedagogical practices - From being responsive to children's needs and constructing the curriculum to leadership and the pressures of school...