Early Excellence Podcast

What does it look like when a whole city gets behind children's communication and language?
Re-release: Originally aired on 17 Apr 2026
Rachel Shearer and Martin Cumming join us to explore Early Talk for York — a citywide initiative aimed at closing the communication and language gap in young children, and what it takes to make that kind of joined-up approach work.
Episode Links
Explore the Early Talk for York Initiative
Read about Developing Language in the Early Years
Discover our Communication and Language CPD

Role play is our focus this week as we welcome Becky Hoare to the podcast. Becky is a Primary Teacher and the Founder of Pop Up Play Village Ltd. We discuss children’s natural desire to role play what they see in the world around them. There is lots of key advice here too for developing effective and inspiring domestic role play in your setting.

Episode Links
Read the Blog "Exploring Powerful Learning Through Home Corner Role Play"
Explore Complete Home Corner Role Play Area Resources
Find out more about Pop Up Play Village Ltd

We’re joined on the podcast this week by Ed Finch, a Headteacher with a passion for storytelling. We have a great chat about our natural desire to tell stories and the impact of this on our lives. We also explore how storytelling provides wonderfully engaging learning opportunities for our youngest children.

Episode Links
Read the Blog - Unlocking the Power of Block Play in the EYFS
Listen to this Episode "Why Children Need Joy with Ben Kingston-Hughes"

Play isn't a luxury — so why does it keep getting pushed to the margins?
Re-release: Originally aired on 20 Feb 2026
Eugene Minogue, Interim Executive Director at Play England, joins us to discuss why play matters so much for children's development, the barriers standing in its way, and what a genuine cultural shift around play would look like.
Episode Links
Explore Play England's Official Website
Listen to our Episode with Ruth Lue-Quee

Dixie-Louise Dexter joins us for this week’s episode as we explore effective transition processes and the value of slowing down the pace.

Episode Links
Explore our Transition to Year 1 Blog
Discover our EYFS CPD & Training Programme
Transform your Learning Environment