Welcome to the Froebel Trust Podcast – inspiring conversations about early learning. 🌿

This podcast is for all those who have ever wondered what a Froebelian approach to early education is all about and want to know what it looks like in action.

Presented by journalist Colin Kelly, he is joined by various panel experts who discuss Frobel's influence in education and the impact it has today.

In episode 1 we are joined by Simon Bateson, Sally Cave, Dr Stella Louis, Dr Lynn McNair OBE, Professor Chris Pascal OBE to discuss how an early year's setting can adopt a Froebelian approach.

Find out more about the speakers here ➡️ https://bit.ly/4pyGzNq

Access Froebel Trust training and resources mentioned in this episode ➡️ https://bit.ly/457meYo

Released in February 2023.

Don't forget to follow/subscribe to this podcast to receive updates on the next release!

The Froebel Trust's new strategy will be created in 2026 and educators, academics and stakeholders in the early childhood sector are being asked to help shape it. The Trust is asking people to complete a short survey so it can target its resources to help meet the needs and interests of the early childhood sector and Froebelian community. To participate, please complete the anonymous short survey by 19 February 2026.

In episode two of the Froebel Trust podcast, host Colin Kelly and our expert panellists explain more about Froebelian education in early years settings.

Joined by Simon Bateson, Sally Cave, Dr Stella Louis, Dr Lynn McNair OBE, Professor Chris Pascal OBE, the panel discusses what makes a Froebelian setting different from others. 🌿

Find out more about the speakers on the Froebel Trust website ➡️ https://bit.ly/3Z6FQrZ

Access FREE training and resources ➡️ https://bit.ly/4aRmqyF

Released in February 2023.

Don't forget to follow/subscribe to this podcast to receive updates on the next release!

The Froebel Trust's new strategy will be created in 2026 and educators, academics and stakeholders in the early childhood sector are being asked to help shape it. The Trust is asking people to complete a short survey so it can target its resources to help meet the needs and interests of the early childhood sector and Froebelian community. To participate, please complete the anonymous short survey by 19 February 2026.

In episode three of the Froebel Trust podcast, host Colin Kelly and guests discuss how educators can ensure we celebrate differences in early years settings.

Returning panellists, Simon Bateson, Sally Cave, Dr Stella Louis, Dr Lynn McNair OBE, Professor Chris Pascal OBE, come together to discuss how a Froebelian approach could support early years settings to connect with families, carers and local communities. 🤝

Find out more about our guest speakers and access the transcript of the podcast on the Froebel Trust website.

➡️ https://bit.ly/3NFStYz

Access FREE Froebelian training and resources ➡️ https://bit.ly/3YCYsQj

Released February 2023.

Don't forget to follow/subscribe to this podcast to receive updates on the next release!

The Froebel Trust's new strategy will be created in 2026 and educators, academics and stakeholders in the early childhood sector are being asked to help shape it. The Trust is asking people to complete a short survey so it can target its resources to help meet the needs and interests of the early childhood sector and Froebelian community. To participate, please complete the anonymous short survey by 19 February 2026.

In episode 4 of the Froebel Trust Podcast, presenter Colin Kelly explores block play in early childhood education. Together with guests, this episode explores how block play can make a difference to children's learning and development.

Joined by Lauren Gray, Paula Lester (previous surname Phillips) and Jane Whinnett MBE, the panel discuss the benefits of block play and the relevance to young children today. 🌿

Visit our website to access the podcast transcript ➡️ https://bit.ly/4qOQrDZ

Access our FREE pamphlet, Froebel's Gifts and Block Play Today and receive practical advice and actionable steps to introducing block play into your setting.

➡️ https://bit.ly/49hoa2T

Released May 2023.

Don't forget to follow/subscribe to this podcast to receive updates on the next release!

The Froebel Trust's new strategy will be created in 2026 and educators, academics and stakeholders in the early childhood sector are being asked to help shape it. The Trust is asking people to complete a short survey so it can target its resources to help meet the needs and interests of the early childhood sector and Froebelian community. To participate, please complete the anonymous short survey by 19 February 2026.

In this episode, presenter Colin Kelly is joined by expert panellists to explore outdoor play and young children's connections with nature. 🤸

You'll hear from guest speakers Beverley Dickinson, Janice Marriott, Felicity Thomas, Holli Williams. The panel discuss how schools and early years settings support outdoor play for young children now.

They also provide practical advice on utilising space in city settings or settings with limited space. 🌿

Access the podcast transcript and learn more about the speakers on the Froebel Trust website ➡️ https://bit.ly/4qfkWCV

View our FREE resources mentioned in the episode ➡️ https://bit.ly/3N8NuQd

Released June 2023.

Don't forget to follow/subscribe to this podcast to receive updates on the next release!

The Froebel Trust's new strategy will be created in 2026 and educators, academics and stakeholders in the early childhood sector are being asked to help shape it. The Trust is asking people to complete a short survey so it can target its resources to help meet the needs and interests of the early childhood sector and Froebelian community. To participate, please complete the anonymous short survey by 19 February 2026.

In episode 6 of the Froebel Trust podcast, Colin Kelly and guest speakers engage in a thought-provoking discussion which challenges all educators who work with babies and young children to consider the basis of their approach to assessments in early years settings. ✨

Speakers, Dr Stella Louis and Gaynor Brimble explore how Froebelian educators navigate assessments, inspections and progress reporting systems, and how the Froebelian approach can support this.

Find out more about the speakers and access the podcast transcript on the Froebel Trust website.

➡️ https://bit.ly/4jyMLnf

Released July 2023.

Don't forget to follow/subscribe to this podcast to receive updates on the next release!

The Froebel Trust's new strategy will be created in 2026 and educators, academics and stakeholders in the early childhood sector are being asked to help shape it. The Trust is asking people to complete a short survey so it can target its resources to help meet the needs and interests of the early childhood sector and Froebelian community. To participate, please complete the anonymous short survey by 19 February 2026.

In this episode, presenter Colin Kelly is joined by a panel of experts to explore how educators' wellbeing is connected to the wellbeing of the children they teach. 🌿

Froebel, the inventor of kindergarten, recognised that children thrive when they are emotionally secure and in close relationships with others – educators, families and carers.

Guest speakers, Dr Peter Elfer, Holli Williams, Dr Jools Page and Dr Robyn Dolby explore these themes, discussing ways leaders can best support educators' wellbeing in their work with children.

Learn more about the speakers on the Froebel Trust website ➡️ https://bit.ly/3NaBDB2

Explore our research studies around relationships in early years ➡️ https://bit.ly/455qGqB

Released December 2023.

Don't forget to follow/subscribe to this podcast to receive updates on the next release!

The Froebel Trust's new strategy will be created in 2026 and educators, academics and stakeholders in the early childhood sector are being asked to help shape it. The Trust is asking people to complete a short survey so it can target its resources to help meet the needs and interests of the early childhood sector and Froebelian community. To participate, please complete the anonymous short survey by 19 February 2026.

Data from the Department for Education suggests only 2 percent of the people who work in early years education in England are male.

In this episode, presenter Colin Kelly is joined by a team of experts to discuss why early childhood education continues to be one of the most gender imbalanced workforces.

Guest speakers, Pete Moorhouse, Dr Shaddai Tembo, Matt Langton and Louie Werth consider how nursery school and early years setting leaders could support more men to work in early education. 🤝

Find out more about the speakers on the Froebel Trust website ➡️ https://bit.ly/4ptUK6w

Access the FREE resources mentioned in this episode ➡️ https://bit.ly/4prtyFp

Released January 2024.

Don't forget to follow/subscribe to this podcast to receive updates on the next release!

The Froebel Trust's new strategy will be created in 2026 and educators, academics and stakeholders in the early childhood sector are being asked to help shape it. The Trust is asking people to complete a short survey so it can target its resources to help meet the needs and interests of the early childhood sector and Froebelian community. To participate, please complete the anonymous short survey by 19 February 2026.