Welcome to Little Minds, Big Ideas – the podcast where early years education meets inspiration, creativity, and a whole lot of fun! Hosted by passionate educato...
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! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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33:00
Dear Diary: Embracing Self-Pride and Celebrating Achievements
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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12:35
The Episode All About Safeguarding Challenges
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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37:36
The Episode All About Employee Motivation
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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34:55
Dear Diary: Celebrating Our Team
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.
Welcome to Little Minds, Big Ideas – the podcast where early years education meets inspiration, creativity, and a whole lot of fun! Hosted by passionate educators Emily Macfarlane and Ben Jones, this podcast is perfect for anyone invested in the world of early childhood, whether you're a teacher, parent, or just someone who believes in the power of young minds.Every Monday, Emily and Ben bring you the latest updates and must-know news from the world of early years education, keeping you ahead of the curve on the trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of learning for little ones. But it doesn’t stop there! Expect lively debates and thoughtful discussions on the biggest issues in early childhood education today. Emily and Ben dive deep into the topics that matter, from learning through play to the importance of outdoor exploration, always balancing expert insights with practical takeaways.Of course, no episode would be complete without a healthy dose of fun! Each week, you’ll find the show packed with games and lighthearted moments to keep things entertaining, making sure you end each episode with a smile. And when it’s time to get serious, Emily and Ben know how to tackle those tougher subjects too, offering real, relatable advice for navigating the ups and downs of working with young children.As part of the Early Years Network family, Little Minds, Big Ideas is also your go-to spot for staying up-to-date with what’s new on the platform, giving you the inside scoop on exciting content, upcoming events, and valuable resources to help you be the best educator or caregiver you can be.So, whether you’re tuning in during your morning commute, while setting up the classroom, or after a long day with your feet up, Little Minds, Big Ideas promises to deliver inspiration, information, and a bit of fun to fuel your passion for working with young children.No interviews, no fluff—just two passionate hosts sharing big ideas for the little minds that shape our future.Join us today over at www.theearlyyearsnetwork.co.uk and unlock a world of early years learning. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.