Froebel Trust Podcast: Recent Episodes
Froebel Trust
The Froebel Trust podcast is for you if you've ever wondered what a Froebelian approach to early education is all about - and want to know what it looks like in action.
To celebrate the launch of the Trust's new resources for educators, Research Insights: Birth to Three, in this episode we're talking all things babies and toddlers. Presenter Colin Kelly is joined by four experts to discuss the importance of listening to and developing our practice with children aged from birth to three.
Hear from Dr Zeny Melissourgaki, Clinical Psychologist and author of Research Insights: Birth to Three, alongside researchers and educators involved in Froebel Trust funded research projects with babies and toddlers.
Together, the panel explore why the period from birth to 36 months is so crucial to a baby's development and the influence educators of this age group can have, as well as well as plenty of tips and insights from the panel which can be used in practice.
"Birth to three is […] a very critical period in our development, and by that, I mean cognitive development, social, emotional, and physical development, and in fact a lot of what happens in these first three years provides the foundation and all the building blocks for who we become later in life."
Dr Zeny Melissourgaki
"The value of reflection and reflexivity can't be underestimated. It doesn't cost anything to be more analytical about practice, and I think that to care and educate the youngest child well requires knowledge, and leaders can nurture those kinds of conditions."
Dr Maria Cooper
"Just like [Froebel's principles] were relevant when he was alive and he was writing, just like they were relevant 20 years ago, they're still relevant today in terms of what babies need and very young children need can be underpinned by those principles."
Polly Bolshaw
"If we are using Froebelian approaches, then while we're interacting with children during those care routines, we'll be remembering the importance of relationships. We'll be talking to them, using those opportunities to talk and engage with them, to have shared moments of interaction with them, mirroring the things that they're doing. All of this supports those relationships and makes the most of those moments"
Annamaria Bevan
Guests: Dr Zeny Melissourgaki, Polly Bolshaw, Maria Cooper, Annamaria Bevan
In this special episode of the Froebel Trust podcast, presenter Colin Kelly looks back at the insights Froebel Trust podcast guests have shared on relationships and why they matter so much in the early years.
Reflecting over the catalogue of 20 episodes, we explore what our guests have said about how educators can support young children as they learn about relationships and communication.
Hear about the importance of early relationships and the role of the educator, nurturing relationships and the key person approach, how educator and child wellbeing are interdependent, the role of relationships in supporting children's emotional wellbeing and future self, positive role models and connections between educators, families and carers.
Guests featured in this episode are Dr Caroline Guard, Dr Julia Manning-Morton, Dr Peter Elfer, Dr Robyn Dolby, Holli Williams, Pete Moorhouse, Matt Langton, Dr Karen Vincent and Rachna Joshi.
If you want to know more about what a guest says, you can find the full episode in our back-catalogue at Froebel.org.uk. You can also find the biography for each of the guests featured.
To view a video showing a Froebelian approach to developing relationships in action, visit our YouTube channel.
Love it or hate it, Maths is a key part of everyday life that enables us to make sense of the world around us.
In episode 20 of the Froebel Trust podcast, presenter Colin Kelly is joined by expert guests to discuss how educators can support young children to develop early mathematical skills. 💡
Joined by historian of science and mathematics, Michael Friedman and Froebel Trust Travelling Tutors, Jane Whinnett MBE and Pete Moorhouse, they share how you can teach the subject even if you're not confident with maths. 🌿
Visit the Froebel Trust website to download the podcast transcript, further free resources, information of Froebel Trust Short Courses and learn more about the speakers ➡️ https://bit.ly/4qIflVE
If you'd like to contact us with questions about this podcast or suggestions for future episodes, you can email office@froebeltrust.org.uk
In episode 19, presenter Colin Kelly is joined by six Froebelian's across the globe to share their reflections on education, past, present and future through a Froebelian lens.
Guest speakers, Professor Larry Prochner, Dr Kristen Nawrotzki, Dr Karen Vincent, Donna Kilpatrick, Grace Choi and Dr Andrea Schmidt share Froebel's influence throughout history and why a Froebelian approach to education is so important today. 🌿
The episode was recorded shortly after the International Froebel Society Conference which took place in the summer of 2025.
Find out more about the speakers on the Froebel Trust website ➡️ https://bit.ly/4qOmynl
Access FREE resources to support the development of Froebelian education ➡️ https://bit.ly/4juniLM
Released November 2025.
Don't forget to follow/subscribe to this podcast to receive updates on the next release!
“Today the most urgent need in education is that the school should be united with the life of home and family.” Froebel in Lilley 1967, p.156.
Froebel advocated for understanding and building upon the child’s prior life experiences and knowledge. How can a Froebelian approach support modern day educators to connect with the families and communities of the children in their setting?
The latest episode of the Froebel Trust podcast focuses on connection and celebrates the launch of the Froebel’s Trust’s pamphlet, A Froebelian approach to connecting with parents, families and communities: a starting point. It explores the importance of relationships and the ways educators and leaders in early years settings can connect with parents, families and communities to understand more about each child’s individual experiences. Only then can we truly start from where the child is.
“…It really is our job to be able to open up those conversations in meaningful ways and really get to know their child in meaningful ways, because only then can we support their child, can we develop those relationships and bonds with those children.”
Holli Williams, Head of Schools at Linden School Nursery Schools in London
During this episode, the authors of the pamphlet, Froebel Trust Travelling Tutors Holli Williams and Rachna Joshi explain why it’s so important for educators to build connections with the parents, families and communities of children in their setting. They share examples of simple ways educators can begin to build relationships, how to approach challenges around connection and the difference strong connections can make to children.
We then hear how connecting with parents, families and communities has been taken one step further at a setting in Sheffield. Fufy Demissie, a senior lecturer in early years at Sheffield Hallam University shares how the University’s nursery has developed a special connection with the families it supports.
A transcript of this episode is available at: froebel.org.uk/training-and-resources/podcast
Episode 18 Resources and Links
· Download Connecting with Parents, Families and Communities: A starting point on the Froebel Trust website. Free to download.
· Developing a mapping tool to support connection and loving relationships in early years settings. Pastoral Care in Education, 1-18. Pearse, S., & Boylan, M. (2025). This includes the relationship mapping tool.
· Guests appearing in this episode:
Holli Willams
Holli Williams is a Froebel Trust Travelling Tutor. Holli is Head of Schools at Linden Tree Nursery Schools, a small chain of privately-owned settings in Southwest London. Linden Tree has undertaken all six Froebel Short Course Elements, which began their transformation to a Froebelian educational approach in all their settings. Holli is also a Trustee of the Froebel Trust.
Rachna Joshi
Rachna is a Froebel Trust Travelling Tutor and an early childhood teacher, action-researcher and consultant. She works with under-threes, Nursery and Reception children in classroom settings and holds an MA in Early Childhood Studies. Rachna also writes for organisations like Tapestry and Early Education. Her recent work includes embedding music into settings via grants to purchase outdoor music walls, open-ended music resources and workshops for children and their families.
Fufy Demissie
Dr Fufy Demissie is a senior lecturer in the Sheffield Institute of Education. She began her career in higher education after 10 years of teaching in Foundation Stage settings. She currently coordinates the Continuing Professional Development network and the student placement programme for the Early Years Community and Research Centre (EYCRC) at the Meadows nursery, Sheffield. Fufy teaches on the BA and PGCE early years courses at Sheffield Hallam University and supervises doctoral candidates. Her own research focuses on understanding the role of dialogic pedagogies in professional learning in the early years and beyond. Recent projects include an Erasmus project on Global Citizenship and Mathematics education and a classroom intervention to promote metacognition in early childhood settings. Fufy is also a trustee of the Froebel Trust.
Courses:
Visit the Froebel Trust website to access more free resources and find out more about the Froebel Short Courses.
If you’d like to contact us with questions about this podcast or suggestions for future episodes, you can email office@froebeltrust.org.uk
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 and yet these ideas have become foundations of current early childhood education and care today."
A transcript of this episode is available at: froebel.org.uk/training-and-resources/podcast
Guests appearing in this episode:
Jane Whinnett MBE started studying Froebel in 2005 at the University of Roehampton. She was previously the head teacher of two Edinburgh Nursery Schools and now tutors at the University of Edinburgh where she contributes to two courses: Froebel in Childhoos Practice and MSc Education: Early Childhood Practice and Froebel pathway.
Jane is also an Endorsed Froebel Travelling Tutor who teaches the Froebel Trust's Short Courses and Online Course. In 2019, Jane received an MBE from HRH The Prince of Wales for services to early education. She and her co-authors were also awarded the 2021 Nursery World Professional Book Award for Putting Storytelling at the Heart of Early Childhood Practice [Bruce, McNair and Whinnett Eds. 2020, Routledge].
During Episode 17, Jane refers to the following resources and courses for educators, including:
Courses:
Froebel in Childhood Practice Course at the University of Edinburgh
MSc Education: Early Childhood Practice and Froebel pathway at the University of Edinburgh
Froebel Certificate in Early Childhood at the University of Roehampton.
Early Childhood Studies (MA) at the University of Roehampton
Articles,books and resources:
Bruce, T., (2021) Friedrich Froebel A Critical Introduction to key Themes and Ideas London: Bloomsbury
Bruce, T., McNair, L., Whinnett, J., (2023) Putting Storytelling at the Heart of Early Childhood Practice Abingdon: Routledge
Bruce, T., (2023) Empowering learning: play, symbols and creativity London: Froebel Trust
Colliles, S., Play and Inclusion https://www.froebel.org.uk/about-us/the-power-of-play/play-and-inclusion
Imray, S., Thomson, T., and Whinnett, J., (2023) A Froebelian approach to sewing with young children London: Froebel Trust
Lilley, I. M., (1967) Friedrich Froebel A Selection from his Writings London: Cambridge University Press
Louis, S., (2022) A Froebelian approach to observing young children London Froebel Trust
Manning-Morton, J., (2024) From Birth to Three An Early Years Educator’s Handbook Abingdon: Routledge
May, H., (2006) ‘Being Froebelian’: An Antipodean analysis of the history of advocacy and early childhood in History of Education, 35(2) pp.245-262
McNair, L.J., Learning from our children The story of Eilidh in Bruce, T., Nishida, Y., Powell, S., Wasmuth, H., and Whinnett, J.,(eds) (2024) Bloomsbury Handbook to Friedrich Froebel London: Bloomsbury
McNair, L J., and Powell, S. (2020) Friedrich Froebel: a path least trodden. Early Child Development and Care, 191(7–8), pp. 1175–1185.
Moorhouse, P. (2021) A Froebelian approach to the wonder of woodwork London: Froebel Trust
Osgood, J., Archer, N.J., Albin-Clark, J., & Mohandas, S., (2024) Bewildering early childhood ‘pioneers’, Pedagogy, Culture & Society, 32:4, 875-883, DOI: 10.1080/14681366.2024.2355096
Parker, L.,(2017) A Froebelian approach to exploring clay London: Froebel Trust
Pascal, C., Bertram, T., Cave, S., Bruce, T., Lyndon, H., Bennett, S., & Denham, A., (2024) Praxeological action research: a Froebelian approach for professional development, flourishment and wellbeing, European Early Childhood Education Research Journal, 32:6. 1059-1078, DOI: 10.1080/1350293X.2024.2427849
Sakr, M., & Kaur, V., (2024) Re-imagining the Froebelian influence on early childhood education as a dynamic and ever-changing web of encounter, Pedagogy, Culture & Society, 32:4, 923-940, DOI: 10.1080/14681366.2024.2355092
Snaza, N., (2013) Bewildering Education, Journal of Curriculum and Pedagogy, 10:1, 38-54, DOI: 10.1080/15505170.2013.783889
Stewart, N., Hope brings change in Bruce, T., Nishida, Y., Powell, S., Wasmuth, H., Whinnett, J., Bloomsbury Handbook to Friedrich Froebel London: Bloomsbury
Tovey, H., (2nd ed)(2017) Bringing the Froebel Approach to your Early Years Practice
Wasmuth, H., (2022) What does in mean to be Froebelian in the 21st century? An essay in Global Education Review 9 (2) p23
Whinnett, J., (2024) Introduction in Bruce, T., Nishida, Y., Powell, S., Wasmuth, H., Whinnett, J., Bloomsbury Handbook to Friedrich Froebel London: Bloomsbury
Whinnett, J., (2020) A Froebelian Approach to FrFroebel’s Gifts and block play today London: Froebel Trust
Visit the Froebel Trust website to access the free resources mentioned in this episode and find out more about the Froebel Short Courses.
If you’d like to contact us with questions about this podcast or suggestions for future episodes, you can email office@froebeltrust.org.uk
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
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 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
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 different..." Eve Mawby Whistler
Presenter Colin Kelly is joined by a panel of guests:
Dr Agnes Agyepong
Agnes is a mother of three and the Founder and CEO of Global Black Maternal Health, a leading advocate for empowering Black communities to reclaim their health narratives. Agnes spearheaded the pioneering Black Child SEND report and conference, highlighting the experiences of Black children and their families with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. As a maternal health advocate and former Head of Engagement at a national charity, Agnes is dedicated to promoting representative research in maternal health, education and healthcare.
Janice Marriott
Janice is Head of Tuffkid Nursery which is part of Kisharon Charity Organisation. Kisharon offers education, opportunity and support for people with learning disabilities and their families throughout life’s journey. Tuffkid is a Jewish nursery for mainstream children and those with disabilities and special educational needs, with an integrated approach to learning through play. Tuffkid has been recognised by Ofsted three consecutive times as ‘Outstanding’. Janice has been working as Head of Tuffkid for 22 years and has a background in Education and Therapy. Having completed four Elements of the Froebel Trust Short Courses at Tuffkid, Janice has introduced Froebel to Kisharon School which has been participating in the year long Froebel Trust Online Course. Janice has promoted parent/ family involvement with Froebel in the nursery, with Dr Stella Louis supporting Parent Evening.
Eve Mawby Whistler
Eve worked in a maintained nursery school in Peckham, London for over 6 years and is currently a nursery teacher in a primary school in Cambridgeshire. She gained her MA in Early Childhood Studies at University of Roehampton and it was there that she became inspired by a Froebelian approach to early education. She is now a Froebel Trust Travelling Tutor, sharing her Froebelian knowledge and supporting educators in schools and settings across the UK.
Eve co-authored the Froebel Trust pamphlet 'Supporting children with additional needs'. Published in September 2024.
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Research, links and resources for educators mentioned in Episode 14:
Supporting children with additional needs by Eve Mawby Whistler with Lizzie Montgomery (Froebel Trust, September 2024) Free to download.
Black Child SEND Report: Accessing special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision for Black and mixed Black heritage children: Lived experiences from parents and professionals living in South London (Global Black Maternal Health, February 2024)Free to download.
Tuffkid Nursery, London
Nursery attachments and the Key Person role by Dr Peter Elfer (Froebel Trust, September 2022) Free to download.
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A transcript of Episode 14 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
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 this episode is available at: froebel.org.uk/training-and-resources/podcast
Guests appearing in this episode:
Professor Tina Bruce is considered a world-leading Froebelian educator. She has written or edited over 30 books about early childhood education and is perhaps best known for the 'ten principles of early childhood education' first published in 1987 in her book Early Childhood Education.
Many know Tina for her writing and extensive work about young children’s play – introducing the idea of 'free flow play' and championing the need for children to be given time and opportunity to play in schools and early years settings.
In the 1990s and into the 2000s she worked with successive Ministers for Children - as Coordinator of the Early Years Advisory Group. During her career, Tina has worked with a freelance portfolio with CPD and consultancy across a variety of early childhood context.
She co-founded the Centre for Early Childhood Studies (which later became the Early Childhood Research Centre at Roehampton University) - and as an educator she is guided by Froebelian principles, being known for her ability to interweave theory and practice in creative and challenging ways.
In 2008, she was made a CBE for Services to early years education and in 2014 was given the Nursery World Lifetime Achievement Award.
Tina, with a group of Froebelian colleagues, helped to re-establish the Froebel Certificate courses in Scotland and at the University of Roehampton. She led the group who subsequently developed these into a format for the Froebel Trust Short Courses. These introduced Froebel’s main ideas and educational approach. They are designed for everyone who works with babies and young children in early years settings and schools today. In the past year alone, the Froebel Trust offered over 1,500 training places for educators in the UK, allowing them to take part in the Short Courses designed by Tina.
Liz Roberts is a consultant, editor and writer. She started working at Nursery World in 1996 leading its editorial operations for many years. Liz stepped down as editor-in-chief in 2023.
She frequently chairs early years events, as well as commenting on the early years sector for national TV, radio and newspapers. During her career Liz has been a member of several early years sector working groups and think-tanks. She is also a trustee of CREC, the Centre for Research in Early Childhood.
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During Episode 13 guests, Liz Roberts and Prof. Tina Bruce, refer to the following research, policies, organisations, courses and resources for educators:
EPPE - The Effective Provision of Pre-School Education (EPPE) Project: Final Report: A Longitudinal Study Funded by the DfES 1997-2004. Sylva, Kathy; Melhuish, Edward; Sammons, Pam; Siraj-Blatchford, Iram; Taggart, Brenda; (2004) Institute of Education, University of London/ Department for Education and Skills/Sure Start: London.
QTS - Qualified Teacher Status
The Plowden Report (1967)
Froebel Trust Short Courses
NNEB - National Nursery Examination Board qualification
Usha Goswami How rhythm and tone are key for the early language-learning brain. Nursery World: March 2024.
Dominic Wyse and Alice Bradbury Reading wars or reading reconciliation? A critical examination of robust research evidence, curriculum policy and teachers' practices for teaching phonics and reading (2022)
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) Report - The short- and medium-term impacts of Sure Start on educational outcomes (2024)
HMI - His Majesty's Inspector (HMI). Ofsted inspectors visit, inspect and report on the quality of places of education and learning in England. Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. Ofsted is a non-ministerial department.
Peter Mortimore - Ofsted: The case for reform (2023)
Peter McKellar - Imagination and Thinking: A Psychological Analysis (1957)
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 "This idea that there's one way to teach children to learn to read is just not tenable..." Prof. Dominic Wyse
Guests appearing in this episode:
Professor Usha GoswamiUsha Goswami CBE FRS FBA is Professor of Cognitive Developmental Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of St John’s College, Cambridge. She is also founding Director of the Centre for Neuroscience in Education. After training as a primary school teacher, Usha decided to pursue research in child psychology. Her core interests are the neural mechanisms underpinning language acquisition, including relationships to the rhythmic structure of infant- and child-directed speech and the brain basis of dyslexia and speech and language difficulties. She is researching the potential utility of assistive listening technology, coupled with music- and rhythm-based behavioural interventions. Find out more at BabyRhythm
Jane WhinnettJane Whinnett MBE is an associate tutor on the Froebel in Childhood Practice course at the University of Edinburgh and a Froebel Trust Travelling Tutor.She is author of the Froebel Trust pamphlet on Froebel’s Gifts and Block Play Today and co authored Sewing with Young Children. She has published chapters in 'Early Childhood Practice: Froebel Today' (2012) and co-edited the award winning book 'Putting Storytelling at the Heart of Early Childhood Practice' (2020) and 'The Bloomsbury Handbook to Friedrich Froebel' (2023).
Jane trained as a primary school teacher, later specialising in early years and went on to become Headteacher at two local authority nursery schools in Edinburgh. In 2019 Jane was awarded an MBE for services to Early Childhood Education.
Professor Dominic WyseDominic Wyse FAcSS FRSA is Professor of Early Childhood and Primary Education at the Institute of Education (IOE), University College London (UCL). He is Founding Director of the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Pedagogy (0-11 Years) (HHCP), a research centre devoted to improving young children’s education. Dominic was President of the British Educational Research Association (BERA) from 2019 to 2022.
Dominic has made a leading contribution to research on curriculum and pedagogy, including national curricula, for more than 25 years. He has led multiple research projects and has published many books and research papers. Dominic’s main research is on effective teaching of reading and writing. His book ‘The Balancing Act: An Evidence-Based Approach to Teaching Phonics, Reading and Writing’ (co-authored with Charlotte Hacking. Routledge Publishing), and a research paper, advanced ‘The Double Helix of Reading and Writing’, a new theory and model for teaching. Dominic’s research on writing developed ‘the ear of the writer’ as a metaphor for effective writing across the life course, for novice and expert writers. This multidisciplinary research was published in the book ‘How Writing Works: From the invention of the alphabet to the rise of social media’ (Cambridge University Press). An original feature of the work was the comparisons made between language and music. Dominic’s research on grammar and writing, in the context of national curricula, has included seminal research papers and more recently a randomised controlled trial to examine a new approach to teaching grammar. The book ‘Teaching English, Language and Literacy - 5th Edition’ (with Helen Bradford and John-Mark Winstanley. Routledge) has been a leading text for teachers and teacher education for more than 20 years.
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During Episode 12 presenter, Dr Kate Smith and guests refer to the following research and resources for educators: How rhythm and tone are key for the early language-learning brain by Prof. Usha Goswami (Nursery World magazine, March 2024)
BabyRhythm Project, University of Cambridge The Baby Room by Kathy Goouch and Sacha Powell, OU Press, 2013 Froebel’s principles and practices today by Helen Tovey, Froebel Trust, 2020 (free to download)
Empowering learning: Play, symbols and creativity by Prof. Tina Bruce, Froebel Trust, 2023 (free to download) The Balancing Act: An Evidence-Based Approach to Teaching Phonics, Reading and Writing by Prof. Dominic Wyse, Charlotte Hacking, Routledge, June 2024
Synthetic phonics and the teaching of reading by Dominic Wyse and Usha Goswami, British Educational Research Journal, 2008 (free to access)
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
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 babies? And how might a Froebelian approach support educators in their work with babies?
"....we've had this astronomical growth in particularly private sector provision for very young children, and that's only going to grow in England from September this year. I think we have to find a way of ensuring that babies have environments that are specifically designed for them... We need to think about space. We need to think about cosy spaces. We need to think about access to gardens..." Dr Caroline Guard
"... we really need to wind back, slow down, allow ourselves to slow down with our children, allow our children to slow down and allow practitioners to slow down..." Julia Manning-Morton
Guests appearing in this episode include:
- Dr Caroline Guard - Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education at Kingston University, London
- Julia Manning-Morton - Author, lecturer and Froebel Trust Travelling Tutor
- Chloe McLaughlin & Kerri Stephen - Two experienced educators who work with and care for babies at Poppies Pre-school in Aberdeenshire.
You can find out more information about each of our guests at www.froebel.org.uk/training-and-resources/podcast
During Episode 11 presenter, Colin Kelly, and guests refer to the following resources for educators:
‘Thinking About Babies’ by Dr Caroline Guard, Froebel Trust, April 2024 (free to download)
‘A Sense of Belonging’ A project report from Poppies Pre-School, November 2023 (free to download)
‘The Baby Room’ by Kathy Goouch and Sacha Powell, OU Press, 2013 ‘From Birth to Three’ by Julia Manning-Morton, Routledge, March 2024
‘Shifting the Conversation’ A report by the Early Education and Childcare Coalition, Spring 2024 (free to download)
‘Froebel’s principles and practices today’ by Helen Tovey, Froebel Trust, 2020 (free to download)
‘Elinor Goldschmied and treasure baskets’ – a collection of resources and information available via the Froebel Trust website: (free to access)
‘Slow knowledge and the unhurried child’ - A collection of resources and information connected to Dr Alison Clark’s 'slow pedagogy' research and work. Available via the Froebel Trust website: (free to access)
Visit the Froebel Trust website to access the free resources mentioned in this episode and find out more about the Froebel Short Courses.
www.froebel.org.uk
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 previous episodes and find out what a Froebelian approach to early childhood education is all about... before more, brand new episodes are released later this Spring.
You can find out more information about each of our podcast guests at www.froebel.org.uk/training-and-resources/podcast
Visit the Froebel Trust website to access the free resources mentioned in this episode and find out more about the Froebel Short Courses.
www.froebel.org.uk
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 working with diverse funding and governance systems. Our guests discuss with presenter Colin Kelly whether a Froebelian approach can still work in any kind of early years setting or school today.
Our panel of guests in this podcast episode are:
- Annamaria Bevan - Head at Ely & Caerau Children's Centre
- Jessica Holme - A Froebel trained primary school teacher
- Paula Phillips - Early years leader and Froebel Trust Travelling Tutor
- Craig Taylor - Registered childminder
"I found, as lots of people do, that I was actually Froebelian by nature, but I just hadn't come across that terminology and hadn't realised how much I fitted, how much I belonged in the Froebelian pedagogy and principles..." Paula Phillips
You can find out more information about each of our guests at www.froebel.org.uk/training-and-resources/podcast
Visit the Froebel Trust website to access the free resources mentioned in this episode and find out more about the Froebel Short Courses.
www.froebel.org.uk
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 stereotypes. And we do that on a day to day basis within our settings. But our workforce is this giant stereotype, we've got a lot of work to do to challenge that..." Pete Moorhouse
In this episode of the Froebel Trust podcast you'll hear from:
- Matt Langton - educator at Outdoor Owls and Nursery World Awards 2023 Practitioner of the Year
- Pete Moorhouse - Froebel Trust Travelling Tutor and early years creative consultant
- Dr Shaddai Tembo - lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at Bath Spa University
- Louie Werth - Froebel Trust PhD bursary student at the University of Cambridge
Visit the Froebel Trust website to find out more about our guest speakers and to access the free resources mentioned in this episode.
www.froebel.org.uk
Froebel, the inventor of kindergarten, recognised that children thrive when they are emotionally secure and in close relationships with others - educators, families and carers.
Presenter Colin Kelly and his guests explore how children's wellbeing is connected to educators' wellbeing. They discuss ways that leaders and managers can best support educators' wellbeing in their work with children and families in schools and early years settings.
"...relationships are absolutely at the heart of Froebelian practice... relationships deeply matter... there needs to be a space where practitioners/ educators can talk about their relationships..." Dr Peter Elfer
In this episode of the Froebel Trust podcast you'll hear from:
- Dr Peter Elfer - Honorary Research Fellow, School of Education at the University of Roehampton
- Holli Williams - A Froebel Trust Travelling Tutor and Head of Schools at Linden Tree Nursery Schools in South London
- Dr Jools Page - Senior Early Years Lecturer, School of Education at University of Brighton
- Dr Robyn Dolby - A psychologist and researcher who specialises in infant mental health and supporting educators in early years settings
Visit the Froebel Trust website to find out more about our guest speakers and to access the free resources mentioned in this episode.
A thought-provoking discussion which challenges all educators who work with babies and young children to consider the basis for their approach to assessment in nursery schools, early years settings and kindergartens.
This episode of the Froebel Trust podcast asks:
- how can a Froebelian educator navigate assessments, inspections and progress reporting systems in schools and early years settings today?
- what does a Froebel approach to assessment look like in practice?
- how might observing young children help educators to truly see what young children know, understand and are able to do?
You'll hear from:
- Dr Stella Louis - Lead Tutor for the Froebel Trust Short Courses, author and an independent early years consultant.
- Gaynor Brimble - School Improvement Partner (Early Years), South East Wales Education Achievement Service
Visit the Froebel Trust website to find out more about our guest speakers and to access the free resources mentioned in this episode.
This episode explores outdoor play and young children's connections with nature.
Froebel was a pioneering educator who invented kindergarten. The word kindergarten actually means ‘garden for children’. Froebel’s vision was for a garden which offered space for young children's play and exploration, with educators making time for children to be in contact with nature.
How can schools and early years settings support outdoor play for young children now? And, what if your setting is in the middle of the city or has very limited access to outdoor space?
You'll hear from:
Beverley Dickinson - Nursery Manager at Tiddlers Wraparound in Caerphilly, Wales
Holli Williams - Froebel Trust trustee and Head of Schools at Linden Tree Nursery Schools in South London
Janice Marriott - Head of Tuff Kid Nursery in Golders Green in North London
Felicity Thomas - a Froebel Trust Travelling Tutor and former Head of Earlham Nursery School in Norwich
Visit the Froebel Trust website to find out more about our guest speakers and to access the free resources mentioned in this episode.
What is block play?
In this episode, presenter Colin Kelly and guests discuss what block play looks like in early childhood education now - and find out more about the difference it can make to children's learning and development.
How is playing with wooden blocks relevant to young children now? And what space and resources do early years settings and schools need to encourage young children's block play?
You'll hear from:
Lauren Gray - Senior Early Years Officer at Larbert Village Nursery and Primary School in Falkirk, Scotland.
Paula Phillips - Senior Leader at Tops Day Nursery Group, with Early Years settings throughout S.W. England. Paula has also been a Froebel Trust Travelling Tutor since 2017.
Jane Whinnett MBE - Associate Tutor on the Froebel in Childhood Practice course at the University of Edinburgh and a Travelling Tutor for the Froebel Trust. Jane is author of the Froebel Trust pamphlet on Froebel’s Gifts and Block Play Today.
Visit the Froebel Trust website to access the free resources mentioned in this episode, find out more about our work and contact us with any comments or questions.
In this episode, Colin and guests discuss how educators can ensure that we celebrate difference in early years settings. How can we make sure early years settings are welcoming places for everyone? And how might a Froebelian approach support early years settings to connect with families, carers and local communities?
You'll hear from:
Dr Stella Louis, Lead Tutor for the Froebel Trust Short Courses and an independent early years consultant. Sally Cave, Headteacher at Guildford Nursery School and Family Centre and Co-director of The Froebel Partnership Professor Chris Pascal, Director of the Centre for Research in Early Childhood Dr Lynn McNair, Head of Cowgate Under 5's Centre in Edinburgh and Programme Director of Froebelian Futures Simon Bateson, Co-director of Froebelian Futures and a senior practitioner at Cowgate Under 5's Centre Visit the Froebel Trust website to find out more about our work and to contact us with any comments or questions. Find out more about our podcast guests and access a transcript of this podcast Access Froebel Trust training and resources Follow/Subscribe to this podcast and you'll receive new episodes as they're published.
In this episode, our host Colin Kelly asks his panel to explain more about the Froebel early years setting. What does it look like? And sound like? How would you know you were in a Froebel based nursery or early years centre? What sets it apart from others?
Our panel of experts returns. You'll hear from:
Dr Stella Louis, Lead Tutor for the Froebel Trust Short Courses and an independent early years consultant Sally Cave, Headteacher at Guildford Nursery School and Family Centre and Co-director of The Froebel Partnership You'll hear from... Professor Chris Pascal, Director of the Centre for Research in Early Childhood Dr Lynn McNair, Head of Cowgate Under 5's Centre in Edinburgh and Programme Director of Froebelian Futures and Simon Bateson, Co-director of Froebelian Futures and a senior practitioner at Cowgate Under 5's Centre
Welcome to the Froebel Trust Podcast.
This podcast is for you if you've ever wondered what a Froebelian approach to early education is all about - and want to know what it looks like in action.
Froebel was the inventor of kindergarten and a pioneer of early childhood education. The principles of his approach prioritise play - and learning in and through nature.
A Froebel approach values practical, hands on learning and the idea of nurturing a child's connection to their community. And these are all things we're going to talk about in the next few episodes of this podcast. It's all about giving you ideas about how to bring a Froebelian approach to your school or early years setting - and the difference it can make it young children's education.
This podcast series is presented by Colin Kelly. He's a journalist and father of 2 young sons. He has no existing experience of a Froebel based approach but want to find out more.
This podcast features a panel of expert guests who kindly share their own stories and experiences. Here's some more information about them.
Simon Bateson is a Co-director of Froebelian Futures, an international training and research programme which aims 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. He has a diverse leadership background in the arts, social justice and environmental sectors in Scotland and has served on a number of third sector boards. Simon is the founder of the Scottish social change charity, Take One Action."
Dr Stella Louis is Lead Tutor for the Froebel Trust Short Courses. She is an early years consultant, trainer and author working with individual nursery settings, parents, nursery schools, local authorities, government departments and charities. She provides training and consultancy and is particularly interested in observation and its part in developing learning, especially through children’s schemas. Stella has worked both in the United Kingdom and internationally, in South Africa and Australia, where she worked with teachers to develop a Froebelian approach to teaching and learning. Stella is author of numerous books and articles including Observing Learning in Early Childhood (Sage), Understanding Schemas in Young Children (Bloomsbury) and How to use Group Supervision to Improve Early Years Practice (Routledge)."
Dr Lynn McNair OBE is Head of Cowgate Under 5's Centre in Edinburgh. She is a Lecturer in Early Childhood and Froebel at the University of Edinburgh. Lynn has almost 40 years' experience working in Early Years Education and is also an award-winning author. Lynn is a trained Froebelian, attaining her certificate at the Froebel Institute at the University of Roehampton. Lynn is the Programme Director of Froebelian Futures, an international training and research programme which aims to develop and deepen Froebelian pedagogy and leadership in Scotland and beyond."
Professor Christine Pascal OBE is Director of Centre for Research in Early Childhood (CREC), based at the St Thomas Children's Centre in Birmingham. She holds professorships with the University of Wolverhampton and Birmingham City University. She is a Founder and President of the European Early Childhood Education Research Association and a Vice President of Early Education. Chris is also a co-director of The Froebel Partnership, a three-year Froebelian training and research programme. She has researched and written extensively on the policy and practice of early childhood education and development and the quality of early education services."
Sally Cave is Headteacher at Guildford Nursery School and Family Centre. She has a successful track record in the fields of school improvement and pedagogy which has been recognised at national level. Froebelian principles guide her work with children, parents and staff. She specialises in working with children from birth to seven. Sally is a co-director of The Froebel Partnership, a three-year Froebelian training and research programme.