Episode 17: A Froebelian Path in Bewildering Times
Froebel Trust Podcast
Episode 17: A Froebelian Path in Bewildering Times This special episode of the Froebel Trust Podcast was recorded at the Trust’s 2025 Conference, Inspiring Early Learning. During this episode Presenter Colin Kelly hears from Jane Whinnett as she presents her keynote speech, a Froebelian Path in Bewildering Times. Through Jane’s speech, this episode explores Froebel’s ideas, the resurgence of academic interest in his teaching, and the relevance of Froebelian principles and practice today. “[Froebel’s] views of training and women becoming educators was ridiculed in his time...
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Episode 16: Play and early learning environments
Froebel Trust Podcast
The latest episode of the Froebel Trust podcast explores the ways educators and leaders in early years settings can develop play and learning environments which inspire and truly reflect children's interests. Froebel was the inventor of Kindergarten. He advocated for places where young children can grow and develop at their own pace, nurtured by knowledgeable and supportive adults - a place for activity, curiosity, investigation and play. But what does that look like in the modern education system of today? "... it's really important to think about how the children feel... Do they feel...
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Episode 15: Empowering early years leaders
Froebel Trust Podcast
In this episode, presenter Colin Kelly and guests discuss the the main challenges facing leaders in early childhood education today. What does being "a leader" mean in nursery schools and early years settings? And how might a Froebelian approach support leaders in their work with educators, young children and families? This episode is packed with advice and inspiration for anyone starting out in their first leadership role and for those who are keen to develop leadership skills. "...leadership can not just be with one person. It can't be assigned to a job title... leadership has to be...
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Episode 14: Supporting children with additional needs in early years settings
Froebel Trust Podcast
At a time of year when many young children are joining early years settings and schools for the first time - this podcast episode explores how educators can support and welcome every child. How can educators today ensure that they are offering a truly inclusive environment which allows all children to play and learn? "One of the key Froebelian principles is starting where the learner is at, letting the child be the stage they are at and not focusing constantly on pushing them to reach the next stage... A Froebelian approach is all about respecting diversity, respecting that all children are...
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Episode 13: In conversation with Professor Tina Bruce
Froebel Trust Podcast
A special edition of the Froebel Trust podcast bringing together two highly respected champions of the Early Years sector - Liz Roberts (former Editor-in-Chief, Nursery World) in conversation with Professor Tina Bruce CBE. This episode was recorded in the week leading up to the 2024 UK General Election. During their conversation, they discuss the state of early childhood education today and hopes for the future. "The thing I care about most is that if children are going to be in group settings, they need to be with nurturing, knowledgeable adults." Prof. Tina Bruce CBE A transcript of...
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Episode 12: Developing language and literacy in the early years
Froebel Trust Podcast
In this episode, guest presenter Dr Kate Smith (Froebel Trust Travelling Tutor) looks at the ways educators can support babies and young children's language and literacy in schools and settings today. Kate is joined by a panel of experts, sharing the latest research and exploring a holistic approach to developing literacy in early childhood education. Together they discuss how babies learn language, the use of phonics in schools, the importance of singing, play, storytelling and much more... "...rhythm is the hidden glue that underpins all the world's language systems..." Prof. Usha Goswami ...
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Episode 11: Time to focus on babies in early years settings
Froebel Trust Podcast
Babies are often overlooked in discussions about early childhood education and care today. With the rapid expansion of baby room provision in England underway - with new government funded childcare support being offered from September 2024 to working parents with a child from 9 months old – it's time to focus on the experiences, rights and needs of babies in early years settings This episode of the Froebel Trust podcast explores what it’s like working in a baby room today: What skills and knowledge do educators caring for babies need? Are early years settings ready to welcome more...
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Episode 10: Special edition
Froebel Trust Podcast
A special episode to celebrate 12 months since the Froebel Trust podcast was first launched - with over 10,000 downloads of the series so far! A 40minute, informative and thought-provoking compilation of extracts from the series - featuring inspiring conversations about early learning. The series has been created for all educators who work with babies and young children. This episode, presented by Colin Kelly, will take you on whistle-stop tour of the past nine episodes - introducing many of the guests and experts who've appeared on the series to date. A chance to catch up on...
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Episode 9: Can a Froebelian approach work in any kind of school or early years setting?
Froebel Trust Podcast
Educators working in nursery schools and early years settings across the UK share their personal stories about how they connected with a Froebelian approach and their experiences of changing the way they work with young children. "...the Froebelian principles are the original reasons why people go into teaching and then, due to the political climate, due to all the other stuff that comes with teaching, that gets forgotten..." Jessica Holme Today, there are many kinds of settings, centres and schools offering early childhood education and supporting young children and their families - all...
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Episode 8: Where are the men in early years education?
Froebel Trust Podcast
Recent data from the Department for Education suggests only 2% of the people who work in early years education in England are male. This episode of the Froebel Trust podcast asks - why does early childhood education continue to have one of the most gender imbalanced workforces? And what would Froebel, inventor of kindergarten, have made of this? Presenter Colin Kelly and his panel of guests consider how nursery school and early years setting leaders could support more men to work in early education. "... if we really believe in giving children equal opportunities... it's all about challenging...
info_outlineIn this episode, presenter Colin Kelly and guests discuss the the main challenges facing leaders in early childhood education today.
- What does being "a leader" mean in nursery schools and early years settings?
- And how might a Froebelian approach support leaders in their work with educators, young children and families?
This episode is packed with advice and inspiration for anyone starting out in their first leadership role and for those who are keen to develop leadership skills.
"...leadership can not just be with one person. It can't be assigned to a job title... leadership has to be throughout everything you do... giving everybody that confidence and the skills to be able to lead in their own way, in ways that suits them..." Sam Jones, Headteacher, Tremorfa Nursery School
Presenter Colin Kelly is joined by a panel of guests:
- Simon Bateson
Simon was a Co-director of Froebelian Futures, an international training and research programme (funded by the Froebel Trust 2021- 2024) which aimed to develop and deepen Froebelian pedagogy and leadership in Scotland and beyond. He teaches on the Froebel and Social Justice MSc at The University of Edinburgh. Simon also works as a senior practitioner with young children at Cowgate Under 5's Centre in Edinburgh.
In 2024, he co-led a Froebel Trust funded research project which considered anti-racist practice in early childhood eduction today and co-authored (with Dr Shaddai Tembo) a guide for educators: Playing with Power (free to download).
- Kayla Halls
Kayla Halls is a Research Fellow at Middlesex University. Kayla worked alongside Dr Mona Sakr on a Froebel Trust funded research project: Exploring Froebelian Principles in Early Years Leadership (November 2024).
She recently completed her MA in Early Childhood at University of Roehampton.
- Sam Jones
Sam Jones is Headteacher at Tremorfa Nursery School in Wales.
Sam has recently taken part in the Froebel Trust Short Courses and leads a maintained nursery school in Cardiff. The nursery school is family-centred, "... a resource for the whole community..." offering courses for parents, baby groups and a community cafe on site.
Research, links and resources for educators mentioned in Episode 15:
Froebelian Leadership (a 10 minute short film), produced by Froebelian Futures in 2023.
Exploring Froebelian Principles in Early Years Leadership (final report), a research project led by Dr Mona Sakr - with Kayla Halls. Funded by the Froebel Trust. Completed in November 2024.
Tremorfa Nursery School, Cardiff, Wales.
What is Froebelian Leadership?, a recorded session from the Froebelian Futures Conference held in Edinburgh in May 2024.
Cowgate Under 5s Centre, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Froebel Trust Short Courses - a series of short courses for educators and carers in nursery schools and early years settings.
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A transcript of Episode 15 is available to download at froebel.org.uk/training-and-resources/podcast
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Visit the Froebel Trust website to access the free resources mentioned in this episode and find out more about a Froebelian approach to early childhood education.
froebel.org.uk