The Voice of Early Childhood

Apprenticeships are often viewed as an entry route for young people, but they can also provide a valuable pathway for developing and retaining existing early years staff. This article and podcast episode explore how apprenticeships can support career progression, strengthen workforce skills and help settings invest in the practitioners they already have.
 
Read the article here:
https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/more-than-a-school-leavers-route-why-apprenticeships-are-becoming-a-retention-strategy-in-early-years/
 
This episode is in partnership with The Childcare Company
 
The Childcare Company has delivered early years and childcare training since 2008 and is rated Good by Ofsted. It delivers apprenticeships, diplomas, skill builders and academies from Level 2 to Level 5, working alongside nurseries, early years settings, schools and residential childcare providers to build resilient, qualified teams. Training is delivered by its own delivery coaches, backed by funding, enrolment and free recruitment support. The Childcare Company is an Impact Futures Group brand. Building skills, impacting futures.
Find out more here: https://thechildcarecompany.com/
 
Our 2027 conference info & tickets:
https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2027/
 
Listen to more:
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:
·       What does good quality CPD look like? With Dr Julian Grenier: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/what-does-good-quality-cpd-look-like/
·       Early years leadership stories with Jenny Weidner: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-leadership-stories/
·       Professional curiosity: Creating cultures of reflection, safety and growth with Jack Edwards and Kelly Hill: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/professional-curiosity-creating-cultures-of-reflection-safety-and-growth/
 
Get in touch and share your voice:
Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/
 
Episode break down:
00:00 – Introducing Amanda and the episode's focus on apprenticeships
02:48 – Apprenticeships are not just for school leavers
04:28 – What settings lose when an experienced practitioner leaves
06:13 – Supporting staff retention through career progression
09:30 – Early years apprenticeship pathways: Level 2 to Level 6
10:47 – Different starting points and entering early years at any age
12:33 – Connecting theory, practical experience and reflective learning
14:57 – Addressing concerns about pay cuts and starting again as an apprentice
17:01 – Recognising prior learning and choosing the right apprenticeship level
19:59 – Making time for training alongside staffing pressures
23:22 – Flexible learning sessions and arranging workplace observations
26:04 – Understanding apprenticeship funding and the levy
27:49 – Funding for settings that do not pay the apprenticeship levy
29:14 – Discussing hiring incentives for new apprentices
30:23 – National Insurance relief for apprentices
31:07 – Employer support grants for the early years teacher degree apprenticeship
32:13 – Weighing training costs against the long-term value of retaining staff
33:40 – Why workplace culture, workload and pay still matter
34:34 – A practical first step for leaders exploring staff apprenticeships
35:30 – Contacting The Childcare Company and closing reflections
For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

What does it really mean for a child to be 'school ready', and are the expectations we place on children actually informed by evidence? Adam Marycz explores how policy, accountability and long-held assumptions can shape early childhood practice, questioning the push towards formal learning and considering how educators can keep children's development, individuality and play at the centre.
 
Read the article here:
https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/are-our-expectations-of-children-in-early-childhood-evidence-informed/
 
This episode is in partnership with BookedIn
 
BookedIn is the CPD booking platform that connects organisations with verified speakers, trainers and consultants – so you can find the right fit faster, based on your brief, audience and outcomes.
 
To find out more visit: https://waitlist.bookedin.online/
 
Our 2027 conference info & tickets:
https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2027/
 
Listen to more:
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:
·       Starting school: Supporting transitions to reception and key stage 1, with Delyth Linacre: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/starting-school-supporting-transitions-to-reception-and-key-stage-1/
·       Life skills over academic achievement, with Carmela Garcia Manas and Zanna Clarke: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/life-skills-over-academic-achievement/
 
Get in touch and share your voice:
Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/
 
Episode break down:
00:00 – Hear Adam at the 2027 Voice of Early Childhood Conference 01:35 – Welcome to the live podcast recording 02:49 – Introducing Adam Marycz 04:04 – What do we really mean by 'school readiness'? 07:01 – Confidence and independence versus academic expectations 09:27 – Developmental milestones: should we lower expectations? 10:55 – Good level of development: evidence or accountability pressures? 14:11 – Using interventions without reducing children to data points 16:42 – International approaches, school starting ages and protecting play 19:47 – Are we mistaking sitting still for learning? 21:14 – Educator training and becoming critical consumers of content 23:08 – Physical development, movement and realistic expectations 25:55 – Gaps in educator training and the importance of ongoing professional development 28:01 – What can we learn from Finland and China? 30:44 – Questioning everyday practice: why are we doing this? 32:41 – What do you want children to be able to do when they leave your setting? 34:57 – Audience Q&A: school readiness, SEND and inclusion 40:15 – Audience reflections: family pressures, screen time and wellbeing 43:57 – Moving beyond discussion: evidence, advocacy and meaningful change 46:09 – Closing thanks
For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

This podcast episode and article are a research-informed exploration of how outdoor environments, adult language and risk narratives shape children's agency. Drawing on the Reimagining Outdoor Learning Toolkit, we examine how educators can move beyond checklists, embrace managed risk, and create outdoor spaces where children's autonomy, confidence and curiosity can genuinely flourish.
 
Read the article here:
https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/reimagining-outdoor-learning-understanding-agency-from-risk-to-resilience/    
 
This episode is in partnership with BookedIn
 
BookedIn is the CPD booking platform that connects organisations with verified speakers, trainers and consultants – so you can find the right fit faster, based on your brief, audience and outcomes.
 
To find out more visit: https://waitlist.bookedin.online/
 
Our 2027 conference info & tickets:
https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2027/
 
Listen to more:
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:
·       Impacts of outdoors on children's behaviour and attention: The science behind outdoor play series, with Dr Gemma Goldenberg: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/impacts-of-outdoors-on-childrens-behaviour-and-attention/
·       The therapeutic nature of outdoor play, with Jenny Smillie: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-therapeutic-nature-of-outdoor-play/
 
Get in touch and share your voice:
Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/
 
Episode break down:
00:00 – Welcome and guest introduction 01:35 – How the outdoor agency research began 03:06 – Children's agency in policy and practice 05:17 – What makes outdoor learning unique? 08:41 – How weather and adult perceptions shape risk 10:21 – The dry robe dilemma: when protection restricts play 12:10 – How home experiences and family attitudes shape outdoor play 16:10 – The Outdoor Agency Model: environment, adults and community 20:47 – Outdoor learning beyond the early years and PE 23:53 – Exploring the Reimagining Outdoor Learning Toolkit 27:00 – Using action research to develop your own practice 28:38 – Photo tours: putting children's voices at the heart of research 30:02 – Supporting children to understand and manage risk 31:26 – What changed? Revisiting children's outdoor experiences 32:23 – Building stronger partnerships between home and settings 36:47 – Understanding and responding to parents' worries 39:26 – Final takeaways: trust, agency and ownership of childhood 40:59 – Closing reflections, further resources and thanks
For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

This article and podcast episode explore why marketing should be viewed as an investment rather than a cost, why profitability matters for sustainability, the role a setting's website plays in both occupancy and recruitment, and why social media needs a clear purpose. They also consider the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and why, useful as it can be, it should support rather than replace human judgement, creativity and responsibility.
 
Read the article here:
https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/marketing-your-early-childhood-setting-is-an-investment-not-a-cost/  
 
This episode is sponsored by Childcare Marketing Group
Childcare Marketing Group is a specialist marketing partner dedicated to supporting nurseries, preschools and early years providers.
Built by people who understand the childcare sector, CMG helps nursery owners and managers attract more children, recruit great staff and build stronger, more sustainable businesses. From websites, SEO and social media to advertising, video, reputation management and enquiry conversion, the group brings everything together under one joined-up approach.
At its heart, Childcare Marketing Group is about helping childcare providers stand out, tell their story with confidence and connect with the families and teams who are right for them.
To find out more and sign up to the wait list visit: https://childcare.marketing/uk
 
Our 2027 conference info & tickets:
https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2027/
 
Listen to more:
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:
·       Sustainable business growth in early childhood, with Jordan Tully: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/sustainable-business-growth-in-early-childhood/
·       Building a lasting early years brand, with Harry Mills: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/building-a-lasting-early-years-brand/
 
 
Get in touch and share your voice:
Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/
 
Episode break down:
00:00 – Introduction
04:12 – Why early childhood settings need to prioritise marketing 05:31 – Marketing as an investment rather than a cost 07:56 – Why profit matters for sustainable early childhood provision 10:15 – Perception, leadership and valuing educators 12:15 – Marketing your setting as an employer 15:24 – What makes an effective careers page? 18:26 – Making enquiries and applications simple 20:15 – Social media: moving beyond likes to meaningful objectives 22:11 – Aligning marketing across different platforms 23:57 – Sharing educators' achievements on social media 26:25 – Using AI as a marketing tool 28:35 – Knowing your audience and using accessible language 30:20 – Building a clear and recognisable brand 31:18 – Why human creativity still matters when using AI 33:43 – Where should settings start when improving their marketing? 34:50 – Why your website should be the anchor of your marketing 35:42 – Organic website traffic versus paid advertising 36:50 – Marketing as an expression of your values and ethos 38:07 – Building a sustainable business and planning ahead 39:04 – Why successful settings still need to keep investing
For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

Receiving a SEND diagnosis is a transformative moment for families. This podcast episode and article explore how practitioners bridge the gap between statutory requirements and empathetic support, empowering parents as "experts" on their children. We examine the graduated approach, the SENDCo's pivotal role in transitions, and the necessity of inclusive, multi-agency collaboration.
 
Read the article here:
https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/beyond-the-diagnosis-navigating-the-send-journey-with-families/
 
 
This episode is sponsored by Shaping Lives
 
Shaping Lives is a national, Ofsted 'Good' training provider, partnering with employers across England to build stronger, more resilient workforces. With specialist expertise in the Early Years sector, we deliver high-quality apprenticeship and commercial training that supports staff development, performance, and retention.
 
Our approach has earned us the trust of over 1,000 businesses and supported more than 2,500 learners annually. Our 4.8 Trustpilot rating reflects our commitment to quality and results. Our tailored programmes are built around your business needs, with 80% of employer partners reporting improved staff retention.
 
Every learner benefits from a dedicated Personal Tutor with sector experience, one-to-one support, and structured learning aligned to industry standards. 93% of learners report better work performance after completing our training, driving real value for your nursery. Partner with us to develop confident, skilled teams ready for the future.
 
To find out more visit: shapinglives.co.uk
 
Our 2027 conference info & tickets:
https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2027/
 
Listen to more:
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:
·       Integrating evidence-based practice into the early years curriculum: How ABA principles align with the EYFS, with Mikaela Green: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/integrating-evidence-based-practice-into-the-early-years-curriculum-how-aba-principles-align-with-the-eyfs/
·       What is sound-based emotional regulation? With Nicola Maria Rose: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/what-is-sound-based-emotional-regulation/
 
Get in touch and share your voice:
Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/
 
Episode break down:
00:00 –Welcome to the podcast and introduction to Andy Hogg 03:40 – Andy's work and bridging the gap between policy and practice 04:41 – Academic and life skills curricula 05:23 – Understanding the graduated approach 05:55 – Assess: establishing a baseline and gathering evidence 06:13 – Plan: setting targets and involving families and children 07:17 – Do: putting provision in place and gathering evidence 07:48 – Review: adapting targets and monitoring progress 09:09 – Why support needs to continually evolve with the child 10:10 – The SENCO as a 'transition architect' 11:25 – Supporting children through everyday transitions 11:58 – Visual timetables and first-and-next boards 12:42 – Key person support and communication strategies 13:16 – Universal approaches to communication and inclusion 13:51 – Using PECS and creating a total communication environment 14:56 – Recognising smaller steps of progress 15:35 – High-incidence and low-incidence needs 16:41 – Making high-incidence support part of universal provision 17:15 – Specialist provision for low-incidence needs 17:56 – Multi-agency working and the team around the child 18:46 – The setting as a hub for multi-agency support 20:30 – The SENCO's role in coordinating professionals 21:05 – Supporting parents through joined-up meetings 22:15 – Recognising the emotional impact on families 22:55 – Why supporting parents supports the child 23:08 – Final reflections: bridging policy and practice 23:25 – Closing thanks and further TVOEC resources
For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com