181 - Enough is Enough, It Is Time To Speak Up!
Release Date: 04/07/2025
195 - Supervisions That Stick: Making Every Minute Matter
Get Inspection Ready - For Early Years Nurseries and Preschools to Finally Feel Confident for Ofsted!
Are your staff supervisions getting squeezed out of the schedule, rushed, overlooked, or treated like a tick-box exercise? In a sector where time is tight and expectations are high, effective supervisions can often be sidelined. But when done right, they’re a powerful tool to support wellbeing, boost professional growth, and strengthen safeguarding practice, all of the things Ofsted will be looking for. Within this episode, you will... Learn how to shift supervision conversations from problem-based to potential-focused. Discover how to use supervisions to spot safeguarding concerns...
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194 - Stop Reacting, Start Leading: How to Build a Proactive Setting
Get Inspection Ready - For Early Years Nurseries and Preschools to Finally Feel Confident for Ofsted!
Are you constantly firefighting in your setting instead of confidently leading with intention? If your days are filled with reacting to problems instead of preventing them, you're not alone. Many early years professionals are stuck in survival mode, this episode explores why that happens and how to shift out of it for good. Within this episode, you will... Learn the subtle signs that you're stuck in a reactive cycle and how to spot them in your team. Discover simple mindset shifts and practices that support a proactive approach to leadership. Gain practical ideas you can bring to staff...
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193 - Safeguarding Skills - Easy Ways To Remember Key Information in Early Years!
Get Inspection Ready - For Early Years Nurseries and Preschools to Finally Feel Confident for Ofsted!
Do your team members ever freeze when asked safeguarding questions during inspections, even though they know the answer? In the heat of an Ofsted inspection, even confident practitioners can go blank under pressure. This episode offers simple, memorable strategies to help you and your team recall key safeguarding, British values, and inspection knowledge exactly when you need it most. Within this episode, you will... Discover clever memory hacks for whom to report safeguarding concerns to—no more confusion between children and staff procedures. Learn a fun, rhyming way to recall...
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192 - The Launch of Impact Early Years
Get Inspection Ready - For Early Years Nurseries and Preschools to Finally Feel Confident for Ofsted!
What if you could ditch your filing cabinet, reclaim 20% of your time, and still stay completely compliant? If you’re drowning in paperwork, juggling staff supervisions, audits, and safeguarding logs across multiple platforms, this episode speaks directly to your chaos, and offers a streamlined solution. Within this episode, you will... Discover how one all-in-one platform is transforming operations for preschools, nurseries, and after-school clubs. Hear real-life feedback from early adopters already ditching their paperwork and loving the change. Understand how even the least...
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191 - How to Save Hours Each Week By Streamlining Early Years Compliance!
Get Inspection Ready - For Early Years Nurseries and Preschools to Finally Feel Confident for Ofsted!
How much time do you waste each week rummaging through filing cabinets trying to find that one crucial document when an inspector walks through the door? Managing compliance across multiple Early Years settings can feel overwhelming, with scattered paperwork, missed deadlines, and the constant fear of something slipping through the cracks. Discover how a new sector-led platform is transforming how leaders and managers stay inspection-ready, freeing them to focus more on what really matters: high-quality interactions with children. Within this episode, you will... Learn how to simplify...
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190 - How To Finally Ditch Paperwork And Streamline Your Early Years Setting!
Get Inspection Ready - For Early Years Nurseries and Preschools to Finally Feel Confident for Ofsted!
Have you ever wished all your compliance, safeguarding, and staffing systems could live in one simple place? If you’re juggling multiple platforms or still relying on paper to manage your setting’s operations, you’re not alone. This episode explores how two nursery leaders made the shift from paper-heavy processes to a more streamlined, digital approach that’s actually built for Early Years. Within this episode, you will... Hear first-hand what happened when long-time paper-based settings tested a new all-in-one digital platform. Find out why leaders described it as...
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189 - Exploring Early Childhood: Enhancing Speech and Language Through Environment
Get Inspection Ready - For Early Years Nurseries and Preschools to Finally Feel Confident for Ofsted!
What makes an environment truly powerful for supporting children’s speech and language development? And how can research help shape what we do in early years settings? In today’s episode, Vanessa chats with Emma Kemp from Child Base Partnership and Dr. Tanya Richardson from the University of Northampton about EASAL, a ground-breaking research project focused on high-quality environments and their impact on communication and language. From the role of provocations to the importance of intentional planning, we unpack how this work is influencing practice across the sector. Within this...
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188 - How to Prepare Your Early Years Team for Ofsted & Keep Morale High
Get Inspection Ready - For Early Years Nurseries and Preschools to Finally Feel Confident for Ofsted!
How would you feel if an Ofsted inspector walked into your nursery tomorrow? The thought of an inspection can send nerves skyrocketing, but what if you could turn that anxiety into confidence? In this episode, I sit down with nursery owner and manager Gemma Lamport, who shares her real-life experience of navigating a recent inspection, offering practical insights into preparation, staff morale, and staying calm under pressure. Within this episode, you will... Learn how to prepare your team so inspections feel like just another day. Discover strategies to stay calm and in control, even when...
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187 - Why Overprotecting Children in Early Years Is a Bigger Risk Than You Think
Get Inspection Ready - For Early Years Nurseries and Preschools to Finally Feel Confident for Ofsted!
Are we protecting children too much? What if avoiding risks in early years education is holding them back? In today's episode, we dive into the growing fear around real-life learning experiences in early years settings. From cooking with real food to engaging with loose parts, are we removing valuable opportunities for children in the name of safety? Within this episode, you will... Learn how to assess risks effectively without eliminating key learning opportunities. Discover why real-life experiences, like cooking and using natural materials, are essential for child development. Gain...
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186 - What Happened When Ofsted Visited And Why It Was Surprisingly Positive
Get Inspection Ready - For Early Years Nurseries and Preschools to Finally Feel Confident for Ofsted!
What if your next Ofsted inspection was actually a positive experience? Many Early Years providers dread that unexpected Ofsted call, worrying about what inspectors will say and how their settings will be judged. But what if you could approach inspections with confidence, knowing your team is fully prepared and ready to shine? Within this episode, you will... Discover how one provider transformed their Ofsted experience into a celebration of excellence. Learn why engaging your whole team in the inspection process can make a huge difference. Hear firsthand insights on how to build a...
info_outlineAre private and voluntary nurseries being sidelined by the government’s push for school-based early years education?
If you're an early years provider, you might be feeling frustrated by the Department for Education’s latest campaign. With school nurseries being marketed as the "gold standard," private and voluntary providers are being positioned as second best. But is that really the full picture?
Within this episode, you will...
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Understand the deeper implications of the government's messaging and what it means for the future of early years education.
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Discover why private, voluntary, and independent nurseries play a vital role in preparing children, not just for school, but for life.
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Gain the confidence to challenge the narrative and advocate for the value of your setting.
Hit play now to hear the passionate truth behind this debate and why your voice in the sector matters more than ever!
For resources to support you on your early years journey, visit, www.jigsawearlyyearsconsultancy.com
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