Watch the video version on YouTube! .

https://youtu.be/ik2N3ZlAxzM .

Creating Sustainable Early Years Businesses with The Profitable Nursery Academy - Early Years Insights

Join Kathy Leatherbarrow and Lucy Lewin, CEO of The Profitable Nursery Academy, for a raw and insightful discussion on the business of early years. Lucy shares her lived experience of moving from the brink of bankruptcy to building a thriving, sustainable nursery by shifting from a "heart-led" to a "data-driven" mindset.

Key Discussion Points:

• Profit is Not a Profanity: Breaking the misconception that high-quality pedagogy and a healthy bank account are mutually exclusive.
• Selling Hours, Not Care: A "blinding flash of the obvious"—realising that the actual sellable commodity in a nursery is time, not "care".
• Head Over Heart: Why leaders must step out of their hearts and into their heads to build solid foundations that allow teams and children to thrive.
• The 55% Revenue Rule: Implementing a game-changing metric where staffing costs should ideally represent 50% to 55% of turnover.

Guest: Lucy Lewin - The Profitable Nursery Academy CEO.

Host: Kathy Leatherbarrow – Early Years Consultant at Eden Training Solutions.

Connect With Us:

Share your experiences with us at www.eden-ts.com

#EarlyYearsInsights #ProfitableNurseryAcademy #NurseryBusiness #EarlyYearsLeadership #SustainableChildcare #EYFS #NurseryManagement #EdenTrainingSolutions

Watch the video version on YouTube! .

https://youtu.be/PDLShRgDHNg .

Continuous and Enhanced Provision with Nursery Nook - Early Years Insights

Join Kathy Leatherbarrow and James Tunnell (Nursery Nook) as they continue to discuss the technical bridge between continuous and enhanced provision. James shares how to move learning forward by building on the familiar and understanding schematic play.

Key Discussion Points:

• Familiarity First: Why resources must mirror home tools to help children transfer skills.
• The Topic Trap: Why rigid themes (like the "superhero box") can limit engagement and lead to wasted time.
• The 5-Question Framework: How to enhance play by changing just one variable: Why, What, Doing, Where, or Who.
• Decoding Schemes: Identifying natural behaviours like "dabbing" or throwing as essential learning patterns.
• Narrating Play: Replacing constant questioning with "narrating the ether" to build vocabulary in context.

Guest: James Tunnell – Director at Nursery Nook. Instagram: @nurserynook

Host: Kathy Leatherbarrow – Early Years Consultant at Eden Training Solutions.

Connect With Us:

Share your experiences with us at www.eden-ts.com

#EarlyYearsInsights #NurseryNook #ContinuousProvision #SchematicPlay #EYFS #PlayBasedLearning #EarlyYearsInsights #EdenTrainingSolutions

Watch the video version on YouTube! .

https://youtu.be/GdlT5utmj_M .

Connection Beyond the Curriculum - Early Years Insights

In this episode, join host Kathy Leatherbarrow for a deeply practical and inspiring conversation with James Tunnell, Director of Nursery Nook.

The discussion centres on the idea that connection is the foundation of all learning; if we don’t have a relationship with a child, we cannot effectively teach them. James shares his insights on shifting from "activity-led" planning to following the natural rhythms of play.

Key Discussion Points:

• Connection Over Curriculum: A deep dive into why relationships must come first. If children don't want to be with you, the impact of your curriculum will be limited.
• The COVID Generation: Discussing the "misshaped foundation blocks" of children who missed out on early social interactions and how settings must work to fill these social gaps.
• Valuing Uninterrupted Play: Why children need at least 30 minutes to reach a state of "flow" and why adults should act as "satellites"—helpful and nearby, but not interrupting the work of the child.

Guest

• James Tunnell – Director at Nursery Nook. Follow James on Instagram @nurserynook for daily practical strategies and "bite-sized" CPD.

Host

• Kathy Leatherbarrow – Early Years Consultant at Eden Training Solutions.

How to Connect

We'd love to hear your thoughts on what 'Connection Beyond the Curriculum' looks like in your setting. Connect with us on social media or visit our website to share your experiences: www.eden-ts.com

#EarlyYearsInsights #EdenTrainingSolutions #NurseryNook #ConnectionBeforeCurriculum #ChildLedLearning #EarlyYearsCPD #ContinuousProvision #PlayBasedLearning #ChildhoodDevelopment #EYFS

Watch the video version on YouTube! .

https://youtu.be/DLUfz56rSzI .

Developing 'Key Adults' within Your Staff Team - Early Years Insights

In this insightful episode, join your host Kathy Leatherbarrow as she continues the conversation with Laura Salmon (Head of Early Years at Banana Moon Franchise) and Natalie Healy (Head of Operations at Banana Moon Franchise Support Office) to explore the evolution of leadership and staff development within the Early Years sector.

This discussion moves beyond traditional management models to focus on empowering practitioners, creating a nurturing internal environment, and managing the complexities of running a successful childcare business.

Key Discussion Points:

• Evolving Leadership: Moving from a "dictatorial" style to a modern, nurturing approach focused on guiding staff potential.
• The 'Key Adults' Model: Treating staff as "key adults" whose careers and next steps must be nurtured individually, mirroring child support.
• Individualised Management: Managers must constantly check-in and adapt their style to manage staff the way they prefer, not the way the manager prefers.
• Fairness and Flexibility: Navigating the complex balance of offering flexible arrangements to individuals while maintaining equality and avoiding internal workplace issues.
• Empowering Managers: Launching a Training Academy provides CPD and confidence for often younger managers to deliver training and develop their leadership skills.

Guests:

• Natalie Healey - Head of Operations at Banana Moon Franchise Support Office
• Laura Salmon - Head of Early Years at Banana Moon Franchise Support Office

Host:

• Kathy Leatherbarrow - Early Years Consultant at Eden Training Solutions

Connect with us on social media or send us an email to share your experiences and insights: www.eden-ts.com

#EarlyYearsInsights #EdenTrainingSolutions #EarlyYearsLeadership #KeyAdults #StaffDevelopment #NurseryManagement #ChildcareBusiness #FranchiseSupport #TeamNurturing #CPDforManagers #WorkplaceFlexibility #EarlyYearsCommunity

Thank you for listening to "Early Years Insights." Stay tuned for more essential discussions in early childhood development.

Watch the video version on YouTube! .

https://youtu.be/Fww0_Xg7lQw .

Oliver's Legacy, Part 2: Closing the EYFS Loopholes - Early Years Insights

Join Kathy Leatherbarrow for the continuation of a vital story with Lewis Steeper (The Oliver Steeper Foundation) and Laura Salmon (Banana Moon Franchise).

Lewis shares the successful legislative changes driven by the Foundation, focusing on mandatory pediatric first aid and improved food safety within the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage). Laura discusses how Banana Moon implements these safety measures and their partnership in distributing LifeVac devices. Lewis also reveals the profound personal experience of using a LifeVac to save his youngest son, Jake.

Key Discussion Points:

• EYFS Reform Victory: The achievement of forcing the hand of the DfE to close safety loopholes in the EYFS.
• Mandatory First Aid: The campaign to ensure all relevant staff hold up-to-date paediatric first aid certificates.
• Safer Eating Campaign: The shift to focusing on "Stage, not Age" for weaning, introducing essential weaning checklists.
• LifeVac Distribution: Banana Moon's "Big Moments, Bright Futures" campaign to supply all settings with LifeVac and portable travel kits .
• Personal Use: Lewis's powerful story of using a LifeVac on his son, Jake, highlighting the device's real-world necessity.
• Organ Donation: Lewis receives an update on Oliver's organ donation, finding peace in his legacy of saving lives.

Guests:

• Lewis Steeper – Founder of The Oliver Steeper Foundation
• Laura Salmon – Head of Early Years at Banana Moon Franchise Support Office

Host:

• Kathy Leatherbarrow – Early Years Consultant at Eden Training Solutions

How to Connect:

Find out more about the Foundation's mission and how to apply for a LifeVac: www.tosf.org.uk Connect with us on social media or send us an email: www.eden-ts.com enquiries@eden-ts.com

#EarlyYearsInsights #OliverSteeperFoundation #EYFSSafety #LifeVac #ChildcareReform #PaediatricFirstAid #BananaMoon

Watch the video version on YouTube! .

https://youtu.be/h5FzZWbv6kA .

A Legacy of Safety: The Oliver Steeper Foundation - Early Years Insights

Join Kathy Leatherbarrow as she speaks with Lewis Steeper, founder of The Oliver Steeper Foundation, and Laura Salmon, Head of Early Years at Banana Moon Franchise, to share a deeply personal story of resilience, and how one family turned tragedy into a national safety mission.

Lewis recounts the heartbreaking story of losing his son, Oliver, due to a choking incident at nine months old, and the subsequent founding of the Foundation. This episode highlights their incredible mission to provide life-saving anti-choking devices (LifeVac) to nurseries and the wider community, ensuring Oliver's legacy is one that saves children's lives.

Key Discussion Points:

• Oliver's Story: The devastating personal account of the choking incident and the difficult, complex journey that followed.
• A Safety Mission: The Foundation's formation and its goal of placing life-saving equipment in every UK nursery.
• The LifeVac Device: Understanding the anti-choking device as a crucial last resort when standard first aid has failed.
• Sector Collaboration: Highlighting the importance of partnerships, such as with Banana Moon and Eden, to boost child safety awareness.
• Grief to Action: The emotional challenge of converting personal tragedy into a focused public safety mission.
• Parental Support: Discussing the lack of formal support for self-employed parents and the need for better systems after child loss.

Guests

• Lewis Steeper – Founder of The Oliver Steeper Foundation
• Laura Salmon – Head of Early Years at Banana Moon Franchise Support Office

Host

• Kathy Leatherbarrow – Early Years Consultant at Eden Training Solutions

How to Connect:

To learn more about the Foundation or how your setting can receive a LifeVac device, please visit the Oliver Steeper Foundation website. Connect with us on social media or send us an email: www.eden-ts.com enquiries@eden-ts.com

#EarlyYearsInsights #EdenTrainingSolutions #OliverSteeperFoundation #ChildSafety #LifeVac #ChokingPrevention #NurserySafety #ParentalAdvocacy #EarlyYearsWellbeing

Watch the video version on YouTube! .

https://youtu.be/NuSmiHX27eU .

Apprenticeship to Manager: Building Early Years Leaders .

Join Kathy Leatherbarrow as she continues her discussion with Natalie Healey, Head of Operations, and Laura Salmon, Head of Early Years, from Banana Moon Franchise Support Office. This episode dives into the crucial role of early years apprenticeships in addressing the sector's recruitment crisis and building a clear, supportive career path from apprentice to nursery manager and beyond.

Key Discussion Points:

• The increasing importance of quality Early Years apprenticeships.
• The philosophy of 'grow your own talent' in solving the sector's recruitment crisis.
• Building a clear career pathway from apprentice to future leader and manager.
• Developing structured induction programmes that align curriculum and course content.
• The value of support networks, such as mentor groups and peer-to-peer sharing.
• Demonstrating the role is a fulfilling career path with potential for progression to business ownership.
• The essential link between Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and effective leadership.

Guests:

• Natalie Healey - Head of Operations at Banana Moon Franchise Support Office
• Laura Salmon - Head of Early Years at Banana Moon Franchise Support Office

Host:

• Kathy Leatherbarrow - Early Years Consultant at Eden Training Solutions

How to Connect: We'd love to hear your experiences and insights on building career pathways in Early Years. Connect with us on social media or send us an email to share your thoughts and join the conversation: www.eden-ts.com

#EarlyYearsInsights #EdenTrainingSolutions #Apprenticeships #EarlyYearsCareers #GrowYourOwnTalent #CPD #EarlyYearsLeaders #RecruitmentCrisis #WorkforceDevelopment

Thank you for listening to "Early Years Insights." Stay tuned for more essential discussions in early childhood development.

Watch the video version on YouTube! .

https://youtu.be/b0e4dDuvIJk .

EYFS Updates: Nurturing Our Whole Community .

In this special episode, we delve into the core of the new EYFS statutory framework, taking effect on 1st September 2025. This framework encourages a holistic approach to nurturing everyone within the Early Years setting, from children and staff to families. We cover essential and often-overlooked topics that contribute to a healthy, supportive community.

Key Discussion Points:

• Professional Curiosity: The importance of approaching 'whistle-blowing' and professional curiosity in a positive way.
• CCTV and Safety: We examine the role of CCTV in accident review and maintaining a secure environment.
• Sleep and Wellbeing: The conversation covers crucial sleep routines for both children and parents.
• Staff Wellbeing: Good sleep routines and a focus on overall wellbeing are vital for Early Years professionals.
• Generational Diversity: Embracing different generational work styles creates a more accommodating workplace.

Guests:

• Natalie Healey - Head of Operations at Banana Moon Franchise Support Office
• Laura Salmon - Head of Early Years at Banana Moon Franchise Support Office

Host:

• Kathy Leatherbarrow - Early Years Consultant at Eden Training Solutions

How to Connect: We'd love to hear your thoughts on the new EYFS updates and what 'nurturing your community' means to you. Connect with us on social media or send us an email to share your experiences and insights: www.eden-ts.com

#EarlyYearsInsights #EdenTrainingSolutions #EYFS2025 #EYFSupdates #StaffWellbeing #SleepRoutines #ProfessionalCuriosity #EarlyYearsCommunity #GenZ #EarlyYearsEducation

Thank you for listening to "Early Years Insights." Stay tuned for more essential discussions in early childhood development.