In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast, host Tatia Singleton is joined by curriculum manager Emma Minchella for an honest conversation about living with cerebral palsy through the experiences of Emma’s daughter, Bella. Together, they explore what cerebral palsy is, the challenges of securing a diagnosis, the importance of parental advocacy, and the realities of growing up with a disability. Emma shares a deeply personal account of navigating healthcare, education, and everyday life, offering valuable insights for parents, educators, and professionals working with children and young people. Filled with compassion, practical advice, and powerful reflections on resilience, inclusion, and the importance of understanding each individual’s unique journey, this episode is a moving reminder that a diagnosis is only one part of a person’s story.

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This podcast episode explores the powerful role of coaching in early years leadership with Shelly Newby, an experienced early years professional whose career spans more than two decades across childcare, teaching, nursery leadership, special educational needs, mentoring, and staff development. Drawing on a wealth of practical experience, Shelly shares insights into how coaching can unlock potential, build confidence, and support professional growth at every stage of an educator's journey.

In conversation with host, Tatia Singleton, Shelly unpacks the differences between managing, mentoring, and coaching, and explains why creating a coaching culture is essential for developing empowered, independent teams. From fostering psychological safety to helping practitioners become confident problem-solvers, this episode is packed with practical strategies and thought-provoking reflections for leaders looking to strengthen performance, succession planning, and workplace culture in their settings.

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In this thought-provoking episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast, hosts Tatia Singleton and Emma Minchella are joined by Deanne Cook, Managing Director of Northumbria University Nursery, to explore a critical but often overlooked issue in early years education: employment law. Together, they discuss staff rights, employer responsibilities, workplace wellbeing, and the impact that poor employment practices can have on recruitment, retention, and workforce sustainability across the sector.

Drawing on real experiences from practitioners and leaders, the conversation shines a light on issues such as lunch breaks, training time, contracts, apprentices' rights, and the need for greater awareness of employment law across early years settings. Deanne also shares details of her growing campaign and petition to improve employment rights education and accountability within the sector, making this an essential listen for nursery managers, practitioners, apprentices, and anyone passionate about creating fairer workplaces in early years.

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This episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast dives into one of the biggest challenges facing early years leaders today: leading change in an ever-evolving sector. Host Tatia Singleton is joined by Deanne Cook, Manager of Northumbria University Nursery, to explore how effective leaders navigate uncertainty, adapt to new information, and confidently guide their teams through change. Through honest reflections and real-life examples, they discuss the mindset, skills, and strategies needed to turn challenges into opportunities for growth.

Packed with practical leadership insights, the conversation highlights the importance of adaptability, collaboration, and future-proofing teams to ensure change is not only implemented but sustained. From building strong professional networks to developing leadership potential at every level, Tatia and Deanne share valuable advice for creating a culture where continuous improvement thrives. A must-listen for current and aspiring early years leaders looking to lead change with confidence and impact.

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In this thought‑provoking new episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast, hosts Emma Minchella and Tatia Singleton sit down with Karen McGuigan, founder of Maths for Life, to explore how maths education can be reimagined to better support learners of all ages and abilities.

Together, they unpack the mission behind Maths for Life — a movement dedicated to making maths meaningful, accessible, and empowering for every learner. Karen shares her powerful vision for a curriculum that prioritises real‑life numeracy, confidence‑building, and practical problem‑solving, ensuring maths becomes a tool for independence rather than a barrier to progress.

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People are your greatest asset - but leading people is rarely straightforward. You will explore the hidden side of human resources, from trust, culture and social capital to talent hoarding, difficult conversations and discretionary effort, helping you lead people with greater confidence, fairness and authenticity.

Matthew Smith MBE is School Business Manager at Sheringham Woodfields School in Norfolk, for pupils with complex learning and health needs. The school’s specialised therapy centre is one of his most recent fundraising achievements he is most proud of. With over 17 years’ experience, Matthew is always happy to support fellow colleagues in the education sector. Outside of work, Matthew enjoys spending time with his family, supporting within his local community and getting his hands dirty in the garden.

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In this inspiring new episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast, hosts Emma Minchella and Tatia Singleton sit down with two passionate Early Years leaders: Jane Cockedge, owner and manager of Jane’s Nature Nurseries, and Sonia Chesmer, to explore how sustainability can be meaningfully embedded into Early Years practice.

Together, they discuss the vital role Early Years settings play in protecting our planet and nurturing children’s connection to the natural world. The conversation highlights practical, achievable ways practitioners can champion environmental responsibility — from nature‑rich learning environments to everyday sustainable habits that empower children to become thoughtful stewards of the future.

Jane and Sonia share real examples from their work, reflecting on the impact of outdoor learning, the importance of modelling eco‑conscious behaviours, and how small changes within settings can create long‑lasting ripples across families and communities. They also explore how sustainability aligns with Early Years pedagogy, wellbeing, and the development of curiosity, care and respect.

This episode offers grounded insights, inspiring practice, and a clear message: when we embed sustainability into Early Years education, we’re not just teaching children about the world — we’re helping them protect it.

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In this episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast, co-hosts Tatia Singleton and Emma Minchella are joined by Tim Hopkins, Strategic Development Manager at Humpty Dumpty Nurseries Limited, to explore how strong HR practices underpin successful early years settings. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in the sector, Tim shares practical insights into safer recruitment, effective staff induction, professional development, and creating a workplace culture where people feel valued, supported, and motivated to thrive.

The conversation also explores the secrets behind Humpty Dumpty's exceptional staff retention and its commitment to developing future leaders from within. Tim explains why investing in people is just as important as investing in children's learning, offering valuable advice for early years leaders looking to build resilient teams, strengthen their culture, and ultimately deliver the highest quality care and education.

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