Episode 16: Play and early learning environments

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 secure? Do they feel that sense of curiosity - that they want to investigate and find out more?"
Emma Short, Headteacher, Camborne Nursery School

Find out what the key ingredients of a Froebelian early years setting are and the difference a nurturing learning environment can make to young children today - with special guests Helen Adams, Liam Graham, Emma Short, Helen Tovey:

• Helen Adams

Helen is the Headteacher of Truro Nursery School in Cornwall. She has worked in a range of schools as well as leading an additional resource base. She co-authored the Froebel Trust pamphlet "Creating Environments for Children to Play and Learn" (published in January 2025).

• Liam Graham

Liam Graham is a Reception teacher with 7 years teaching experience, and currently the Early Years Lead at Monnow Primary School. Liam is passionate about child-centred learning, outdoor learning, offering rich, engaging, and meaningful experiences for all our children - and recently completed the Froebel Trust Short Courses.

Recognising Liam's approach to Early Years education, the Welsh Government recently invited him to create a presentation on 'Enabling Learning at Monnow Primary School' - sharing his experience of implementing a Froebelian approach.

• Emma Short

Emma is the Headteacher of Camborne Nursery School in Cornwall. She has extensive experience of working in early years both in the UK and abroad. She co-authored the Froebel Trust pamphlet "Creating Environments for Children to Play and Learn" (released in January 2025).

• Helen Tovey

Helen is a former Principal Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at the University of Roehampton. She is a Froebel trained nursery teacher and previous headteacher of an inner city nursery school.

She is the author of "Bringing the Froebel Approach to your Early Years Practice" (published by Routledge) and the Froebel Trust pamphlets "Froebel's Principles and Practice Today" and "Outdoor Play and Exploration".

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Links and resources for educators mentioned in Episode 16:

Creating Environments for Children to Play and Learn by Helen Adams and Emma Short (Froebel Trust, January 2025)

Froebel's Principles and Practice Today by Helen Tovey (Froebel Trust, March 2020)

Outdoor Play and Exploration by Helen Tovey (Froebel Trust, August 2017)

Bringing the Froebel Approach to your Early Years Practice by Helen Tovey (Routledge, 2017)

'Enabling Learning at Monnow Primary School' - a presentation by Liam Graham (2024)

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 16 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