Episodes

  • The Episode All About A Festive Room 101

    The Episode All About A Festive Room 101
    Dec 4 2024
    In this festive episode of the Little Minds Big Ideas podcast with Ben and Emily from the Early Years Network, we wrap up our 2024 season. While discussing our holiday plans and new content for January 2025, we also dive into some fun segments like the Christmas Room 101 and debate the best Christmas movies. Amidst all the light-hearted fun, we touch upon deeper topics like the guilt that comes with the holiday season, and offer a heartfelt thank you for all the support throughout the year. Join us as we bid farewell to 2024 and look ahead to an exciting new year!

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    33 mins
  • Dear Diary: Embracing Self-Pride and Celebrating Achievements

    Dear Diary: Embracing Self-Pride and Celebrating Achievements
    Dec 2 2024
    In this episode of Diary of an Early Years Educator, Emily reflects on a chaotic week that included staffing issues and personal achievements. She discusses the importance of self-pride, celebrating small victories, and appreciating your team. Emily also shares her excitement for Christmas, the joy of picking a real tree, and the significance of prioritising self-care during the festive season. Join her as she encourages listeners to reflect on their accomplishments, be proud of themselves, and prepare for a brand new year.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    13 mins
  • The Episode All About Safeguarding Challenges

    The Episode All About Safeguarding Challenges
    Nov 27 2024
    In this episode of 'Little Minds Big Ideas,' hosts Ben and Emily tackle sensitive topics such as child sexual abuse, rape, and sexual assault, particularly within family environments. They explore a recent damning report on systemic failures in safeguarding children, emphasising the need for better training, risk assessments, and multi-agency collaboration. The hosts share their experiences and insights on handling complex safeguarding issues in early years education, highlighting the importance of communication, proper training, and following procedures to protect vulnerable children.

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    38 mins
  • The Episode All About Employee Motivation

    The Episode All About Employee Motivation
    Nov 20 2024
    In this episode of the Little Minds Big Ideas Podcast, hosts Ben and Emily discuss the importance of staff motivation in the realm of early years education. They highlight the impact of motivated staff on children's outcomes, team collaboration, and consistent attendance. The discussion covers various ways to show appreciation and recognise staff, such as professional development opportunities, autonomy, and positive reinforcement. They also touch on current news regarding childcare costs and share personal anecdotes about their experiences with team dynamics. The episode underscores the significance of creating a positive and supportive work environment to ensure the best outcomes for children.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    35 mins
  • Dear Diary: Celebrating Our Team

    Dear Diary: Celebrating Our Team
    Nov 18 2024
    In this episode of 'Diary of an Early Years Educator,' Emily Macfarlane shares the highlights and challenges of organising a recent award ceremony to celebrate the staff from all four nurseries in their network. Held on a Saturday night, the event featured a quiz, formal attire, and multiple awards recognising long service, learning through play, personal development, and more. Emily discusses the shift from summer conferences with guest speakers to this new celebration format, the positive feedback received, and her own emotional journey presenting at the event. Tune in to hear how the evening unfolded, and join Emily next time as she and Ben talk about staff motivation and appreciation.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    17 mins
  • The Episode All About Culture Capital

    The Episode All About Culture Capital
    Nov 13 2024
    In this episode of the Little Minds Big Ideas podcast, hosts Ben and Emily from the Early Years Network discuss various topical issues despite suffering from lingering coughs. They start with a light-hearted apology for their health and then delve into recent news about the American elections, touching upon Trump's educational policies. They explore the concept of 'culture capital' in depth, discussing how it impacts early years education, and touch upon broader social issues, multiculturalism, and the education system's role in preparing children for future success. The episode wraps up with a preview of upcoming content and events, including a discussion about their upcoming award ceremony.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    32 mins
  • The Episode All About Process Over Product

    The Episode All About Process Over Product
    Nov 11 2024
    In this episode of 'The Diary of an Early Years Educator,' Emily discusses her recent challenges and successes, including planning an awards ceremony and dealing with illness. She emphasises the importance of focusing on the process rather than the product in early years education, particularly during the Christmas season. Emily offers various Christmas activity ideas, from bauble painting to Christmas collages, while advocating for child-led creativity and reducing pressure on perfection. She wraps up by sharing her love of Christmas movies and invites listeners to share their favourites.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    18 mins
  • Dear Diary: Positive Vibes in Early Years Education

    Dear Diary: Positive Vibes in Early Years Education
    Nov 6 2024
    In this episode of The Diary of an Early Years Educator, Emily takes over for Ben, who is unwell, to share some positivity in the early years education field. She addresses the negative atmosphere prevalent on social media and offers several uplifting viewpoints on the joy and fulfilment of working with young children. Emily emphasises the excitement of unpredictable daily routines, the comfort of being a supportive network for families, the magic of celebrations through children's eyes, and the joy of witnessing developmental milestones

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    15 mins