Professional curiosity is often spoken about in early childhood practice, yet its meaning can remain abstract until it is grounded in everyday interactions with children, families and colleagues. This article and podcast episode explore what professional curiosity looks like in practice, why it matters, and how it can be nurtured within early childhood communities.

Read the article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/professional-curiosity-creating-cultures-of-reflection-safety-and-growth/

This episode is in partnership with The Early Years Leadership Conference

To find out more and grab your tickets visit: https://theearlyyearsleadershipconfer6.godaddysites.com/

Listen to more:

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:

· What is professional confidence? – with Dr Lewis Fogarty - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/professional-confidence-finding-the-confidence-to-speak-out/

· Hurt from conception: The impact of domestic abuse on children – with Tina Pokuaah - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/hurt-from-conception-reflecting-on-the-impact-of-domestic-abuse-on-children/

Get in touch and share your voice:

Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/

Episode break down:

00:00 – Introducing the topic: what is professional curiosity?

02:31 – Defining professional curiosity: going deeper, not asking more

03:11 – Reflection as a foundation for learning

04:24 – Balancing curiosity with respect and non-intrusiveness

06:23 – Psychological safety and creating open cultures in settings

07:51 – Communication skills and asking questions in the right way

09:01 – Supporting apprentices and recognising different starting points

11:24 – Building reflective team cultures (example of shared communication approaches)

12:42 – Learning from each other and empowering educators as leaders

14:38 – Risks of lacking professional curiosity (complacency and stagnation)

16:04 – Impact on staff wellbeing, retention and relationships

17:42 – Early intervention and the dangers of assumptions

19:34 – Challenging bias and recognising personal perspectives

21:24 – Role modelling curiosity, vulnerability and reflective leadership

22:44 – Strengthening relationships with families through curiosity

24:22 – Generational impact of professional curiosity on children's learning

26:44 – Curiosity in training, CPD and professional development

28:58 – Supporting educators to develop their own pedagogy

30:45 – Moving beyond fixed approaches and embracing critical thinking

32:11 – The importance of collaboration beyond individual settings

34:38 – Introduction to the early childhood leadership conference

37:01 – Creating community, safe spaces and inclusive dialogue at events

39:02 – Amplifying diverse voices, including apprentices

41:15 – Encouraging participation and shared learning at conferences

43:28 – Final reflections: what should listeners take away?

43:44 – Closing remarks and episode wrap-up

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

What might early childhood practice look like if relationships truly came first?

In this article and podcast episode, we explore the idea of unconditional positive regard through the work of two influential figures who shared more than a surname: Carl Rogers and Fred Rogers. Although they worked in different spaces, both highlighted the power of acceptance, connection, and respect in supporting children's growth.

Read the article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/unconditional-positive-regard-in-early-childhood-what-we-can-still-learn-from-carl-rogers-and-mister-rogers/

This episode is in partnership with BookedIn

BookedIn is a CPD booking platform that connects organisations with verified speakers, trainers and consultants – so you can find the right fit faster, based on your brief, audience and outcomes.

You can discover, compare, and manage bookings in one place – designed to help you book with more clarity and confidence.

Whether you're booking CPD or are a speaker yourself, they're opening early access soon, and if you want to be first to hear when it's live, join the waiting list NOW!

To find out more and sign up to the wait list visit: https://waitlist.bookedin.online/

Listen to more:

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:

· Growth mindset in early childhood by Matt Bawler: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/growth-mindset-in-early-childhood-2/

· Proactively promoting positive mental health by Matt Bawler: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/proactively-promoting-positive-mental-health/

Get in touch and share your voice:

Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/

Episode break down:

00:00 – Introduction and welcome
02:15 – Katie and David share their journeys into counselling and early childhood education
05:20 – Why they wrote together about unconditional positive regard
08:15 – What unconditional positive regard looks like in everyday practice
11:00 – How to balance empathy with clear boundaries using the ACT approach
14:30 – Practical examples of setting limits with children
16:45 – How boundaries can communicate care, safety and love
19:10 – Why connecting Carl Rogers and Fred Rogers matters for the early childhood community
22:30 – The ongoing lack of respect and support for early childhood educators
26:00 – Emotional labour and how educators manage feelings in the classroom
27:15 – Natural emoting, surface acting and deep acting explained
31:30 – When "faking it" protects relationships and when it leads to burnout
34:00 – Why teaching in early childhood is emotionally intense and highly complex
37:00 – Helping children build a richer vocabulary for emotions
41:00 – Why modelling emotions is central to children's social and emotional learning
44:00 – Reflecting on whether children feel genuinely wanted and valued
46:00 – Final reflections and episode close

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

The new government-backed Potty Training Guide moves away from the old 'readiness' model and promotes early, gradual learning and preparation from infancy. This article and podcast episode explore what the guidance means for families and settings, why coming out of nappies should be the final step in learning, and how practitioners and parents/carers can support confident, healthy toilet learning.

Read the article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/a-guide-to-potty-training/

This episode is in partnership with BookedIn

BookedIn is a CPD booking platform that connects organisations with verified speakers, trainers and consultants – so you can find the right fit faster, based on your brief, audience and outcomes.

You can discover, compare, and manage bookings in one place – designed to help you book with more clarity and confidence.

Whether you're booking CPD or are a speaker yourself, they're opening early access soon, and if you want to be first to hear when it's live, join the waiting list NOW!

To find out more and sign up to the wait list visit: https://waitlist.bookedin.online/

Our 2026 conference info & tickets:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2026/

Listen to more:

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:

● Tummy time is an outdated notion, by Christine Wilkinson & Rachel Tapping: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/tummy-time-is-an-outdated-notion/

● Starting school: Supporting transitions to reception and key stage 1, by Delyth Linacre: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/starting-school-supporting-transitions-to-reception-and-key-stage-1/

Get in touch and share your voice:

Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/

Episode break down:

00:00 – Welcome & guest introduction: Rebecca Mottram

03:10 – Why potty learning is in the spotlight & new England guidance overview
07:10 – Reframing potty learning as a developmental journey (moving away from "ready")
11:45 – "Nappies off" as the final step: capability, gradual skill-building, avoiding sudden transitions

17:05 – Practical foundations before nappies come off: sensory feedback & bathroom routines
20:50 – Rebecca's new book Positively Potty
22:10 – Nappies: cloth vs disposable & using nappies "mindfully"

25:55 – When should children be out of nappies?

29:20 – Starting school: curiosity over judgement
34:30 – Working in partnership with parents: earlier, joined-up support
36:40 – Regression and plateaus: learning isn't linear

39:10 – Motivating without treats: rewarding effort and engagement
41:20 – Play as the engine of potty learning: props, stories, role play
43:25 – Accidents & language: staying neutral; inclusive toileting practice

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

In early childhood, stories are more than words on a page. They are bridges—between experiences, identities, and possibilities. This idea sits at the heart of a powerful conversation with Laura Henry-Allain MBE: award-winning early education specialist, author, and creator of the ground-breaking CBeebies series JoJo and Gran Gran. In this podcast episode, Laura shares her insights on the transformative potential of books in early childhood settings, and how storytelling can offer every child a sense of belonging.

Read the article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/stories-that-connect-us-how-books-foster-belonging-in-the-early-years/

This episode is sponsored by Ladybird Books:

We make growing up the best story ever! From your baby's first book to starting school, at Ladybird we publish something for every milestone. Discover a range of your little one's favourite characters, from Peppa Pig to Topsy and Tim, and much more.

To find out more visit: https://www.penguin.co.uk/discover/ladybird

Our 2026 conference info & tickets:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2026/

Listen to more:

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:

· The value of storytelling, by Olivia Corbin-Phillip, https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-value-of-storytelling/

· Extremely early literacy, by Dan Berman, https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/extremely-early-literacy/

Get in touch and share your voice:

Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/

Episode break down:

00:00 – 2026 Conference: Laura Henry-Allain MBE as keynote speaker
02:20 – Introducing Laura Henry-Allain MBE
06:10 – Why books matter: emotion, curiosity, access, and "windows" for children
08:30 – Representation and belonging: children seeing themselves in stories
11:10 – Books on a budget: second-hand options + widening access
13:10 – Beyond the book corner: placing books across the setting
15:10 – Books at home: everyday reading and communication
17:10 – Supporting families: lending libraries, story sacks, and building confidence
20:10 – Practical tip: tote bag "reading pack" instead of defaulting to screens
23:10 – Laura's "reading is everywhere" poster: what it is & how settings use it
26:00 – Balancing technology: audio stories and listening skills
28:30 – Laura's publishing journey: beginnings with her grandmother
31:20 – Writing life: timelines for publishing, working ahead, and varied roles
34:30 – Author visits: modelling storytelling
36:20 – Complex themes: why children are not "too young"
38:10 – Talking about race and difference
41:50 – Practice example: self-portraits, skin-tone resources, and sensitive reflection
44:30 – Intentional inclusion: planning, provocations, and the "global village"
47:20 – 2026: national year of reading & Laura's keynote plans
49:10 – TVOEC bookshelf project: using books to support complex conversations
50:10 – Laura's podcast: author interviews + extension activities/resources
52:10 – Mirrors, windows and sliding doors: widening perspectives through books
54:10 – Closing reflections

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

The early childhood community in England is experiencing a significant shift in how early years provision is inspected and understood. Ofsted's renewed early years inspection framework, now in place, shapes this episode and article. Drawing on a conversation with Jayne Coward from Ofsted, it explores what has changed, what remains central, and what this means for educators, children and families.

For the full article and documents mentioned in the episode visit:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/ofsteds-renewed-early-years-inspection-framework-what-educators-need-to-know/

This episode is in partnership with Ofsted.

You can hear more from Ofsted at our 2026 conference:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2026/

Listen to more:

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:

· The case for systemic change in Ofsted's approach, by Lucy Lewin: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/the-case-for-systemic-change-in-ofsteds-approach/

· Ofsted's and the DfE's voices must be heard whether we like them or not… by Adam Marycz: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/ofsteds-and-the-dfes-voices-must-be-heard-whether-we-like-them-or-not/

· Ofsted: 'Sole arbiter of quality', by Dr Sue Allingham: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/ofsted-sole-arbiter-of-quality/

Get in touch and share your voice:

Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/

Episode break down:

00:00 – Welcome and topic introduction

03:10 – What is the renewed inspection framework?

04:30 – Putting babies and children first

06:05 – The EYFS as the backbone of inspection

07:20 – Moving from fear to collaboration

08:40 – Consultation, pilots and feedback

10:00 – Inspector expertise and training

11:20 – Planning call and the end of the learning walk

13:00 – Professional dialogue during inspection

14:05 – Understanding context and community

15:30 – Curriculum, pedagogy and play

17:20 – Early years toolkit examples

19:05 – Conference reminder and podcast break note

20:00 – Workload, autonomy and 'not performing for Ofsted'

21:45 – Managing nerves and pressure

23:10 – Paperwork and what inspectors look at

24:10 – Talking with staff, key persons and apprentices

25:40 – Final message to educators

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com