Early Excellence Podcast

Early Excellence

Early Childhood Education

Child Development

Early Years Education

Outdoor Learning

Continuous Provision

Education

EYFS

Self-Regulation

Physical Development

Key Stage 1

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

Professional Love

Ofsted

Characteristics Of Effective Learning

Forest Schools

Mathematics

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Language Development

Emotional Needs

Play-Based Learning

Join us as we discuss a diverse range of EYFS and KS1 best practice and provision, resourcing your Early Years environment and keep you up to date news and reviews from Ofsted & the DfE

54 ratings

Publishes	Weekly	Episodes	200	Founded	5 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	CoursesEducation

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Guests Host Reviews Charts Talking Points

Latest Episodes

The Power of a Great Room Plan with Holme Valley Primary School

What does a transformative learning environment actually look like when a room plan really comes together?

Re-release: Originally aired on 16 May 2025

In this episode, we chat with Rachel Stephenson and Sue Lonsdale from Holme Valley Primary Schoo... more

24 Apr 2026 • 40 min

Early Talk for York with Rachel Shearer and Martin Cumming

This week, we’re joined by Rachel Shearer and Martin Cumming as we discuss a citywide initiative in York aimed at closing the communication and language gap in young children.

Episode Links

• Explore the Early Talk for York Initiative

• Read about ... more

17 Apr 2026 • 48 min

Getting Two Year Old Practice Right with Dulwich College in Shanghai

What does truly high-quality education for two year olds actually look like in practice?

Re-release: Originally aired on 5 Sep 2025

In this episode, Andy Burt speaks with Gemma Stanton and Kate Kelly from Dulwich College Shanghai about their experi... more

10 Apr 2026 • 48 min

The Outdoor Classroom with Kathryn Solly

What does creating an inspiring outdoor space actually look like in early years settings?

Re-release: Originally aired on 16 Jan 2026

In this episode, we explore the key features of effective practice outdoors with the inspirational Kathryn Solly. ... more

3 Apr 2026 • 53 min

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Number of Listeners

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Rachel Shearer

Speech and language therapist

York, Early Talk for York

Episode: Early Talk for York with Rachel Shearer and Martin Cumming

Martin Cumming

Assistant head teacher, Ccomment specialist speech and language teacher

St Paul's Nursery School, York

Episode: Early Talk for York with Rachel Shearer and Martin Cumming

Dr. Gai Lindsay

Author and academic focusing on visual arts education in early childhood

University of Wollongong; co-author of Art Play and Enquiry

Episode: Visual Arts in Early Childhood Settings with Dr Gai Lindsay

Jess Denning

Assistant Producer, BBC Bitesize Primary Content

BBC Bitesize

Episode: Exploring BBC Bitesize

Nancy Stewart

Educator at the forefront of early years education

Early Excellence (guest)

Episode: Birth to 5 Matters with Nancy Stewart

Emma Weston

Learning designer at Verso International School, Bangkok

Verso International School

Episode: Designing Inspirational Learning Opportunities with Emma Weston

Eugene Minogue

Interim Executive Director at Play England

Play England

Episode: Exploring the Vital Importance of Play with Eugene Minogue, Interim Executive Director, Play England

Anne Brass

Specialist Early Years Advisor for Durham Local Authority with years of experience in early years education.

Durham Local Authority

Episode: Navigating Change in Mixed-Age Classes: Challenges for Schools and Leaders

Kathryn Solly

Writer, consultant, and former head teacher with expertise in outdoor learning

Episode: Creating Inspiring Outdoor Spaces with Kathryn Solly

Host

Andy Burt

Host associated with Early Excellence Podcast; leads discussions on EYFS/KS1 practice, outdoor learning, and policy updates.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 54 ratings

So helpful
All of your podcasts are so helpful and informative. I actually look forward to listening to them and coming back to them. Thank you for the time you take to put these together. Amy Banks, East Haddon Primary School
Apple Podcasts
5
Mrs Banks EYFS KS1
United Kingdom3 years ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Consistently thoughtful about outdoor learning and policy shifts

Engaging hosts, credible guests, and clear guidance for schools

Great range of expert guests and actionable takeaways

Informative and practical for practitioners

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#20	United Kingdom/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#140	New Zealand/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#143	Switzerland/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#160	Ireland/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#166	United Arab Emirates/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#174	Singapore/Education/Courses

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Early Talk for York with Rachel Shearer and Martin Cumming

Q: What impact has this approach had on children and staff, especially post-pandemic?

There has been a substantial turnaround in language development and related outcomes, with staff becoming empowered through training, leading to better identification, earlier interventions, reduced need for specialist services, and lasting positive effects on children's learning and life chances.

Early Talk for York with Rachel Shearer and Martin Cumming

Q: How does the three-step process work in practice for schools and settings?

Screening all children annually to identify needs, followed by training staff to become communication champions using L-Clan, and finally achieving a communication-friendly setting status that requires ongoing support and audits, with a focus on whole-setting engagement and collaboration with parents.

Early Talk for York with Rachel Shearer and Martin Cumming

Q: Can you explain what Early Talk for York is and why it was started in York?

It's a citywide, jointly commissioned approach between NHS and the local authority intended to close the language development gap by boosting communication skills in children from birth to five, starting with a pilot in the most disadvantaged areas and expanding citywide after compelling evidence of its impact.

The Outdoor Classroom with Kathryn Solly

Q: What guidance would you give people on time in outdoor learning?

Slow down, give children enough uninterrupted time to build confidence and pursue their interests outdoors, and allow them to move between inside and outside as needed to sustain engagement.

Visual Arts in Early Childhood Settings with Dr Gai Lindsay

Q: Tell us about the book and why you wrote it.

The book emerged from three decades of work in the sector, focusing on the why, what, and how of visual arts education with young children, with emphasis on inquiry, play, and material engagement, and it includes collaboration with international co-authors to broaden perspectives.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Early Excellence Podcast

What is Early Excellence Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The program focuses on EYFS and KS1 best practices, classroom design, outdoor learning, and play-based approaches across diverse educational settings. Episodes highlight practical strategies for leaders and teachers, such as transition-aware pedagogy, mixed-age class management, and outdoor learning innovations, with guest experts sharing tools, frameworks, and real-world implementations. Noteworthy is the strong emphasis on outdoor learning (Forest Schools, Wonderwood), design-thinking in primary contexts, and ongoing policy/practice discussions (Birth to 5 Matters, play-based learning, and curriculum evolution). The show often features practitioner voices, international perspectives, and practical takeaways for improving engagement, well-... more

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How many listeners does Early Excellence Podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Early Excellence Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Early Excellence Podcast:

1. Twinkl Talks: EYFS
2. The Martin Lewis Podcast
3. Age Better with Liz Earle
4. No Appointment Necessary
5. Wednesdays

How many episodes of Early Excellence Podcast are there?

Early Excellence Podcast launched 5 years ago and published 200 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Early Excellence Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on Early Excellence Podcast?

Recent guests on Early Excellence Podcast include:

1. Rachel Shearer
2. Martin Cumming
3. Dr. Gai Lindsay
4. Jess Denning
5. Nancy Stewart
6. Emma Weston
7. Eugene Minogue
8. Anne Brass

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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