Twinkl Talks: EYFS
Episodes
Episode 104: Play as Learning, Maternity Leave and Self Registration
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Twinkl Private Early Years answers your early years practitioners problems! This episode covers:How do you come up with next steps for children?How ca...
Episode 103: Schema Play in Practise
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎧🎙️ Episode 103 IS NOW LIVE!!! 🎙️🎧 In this episode, we’re joined by Shána Walker and Georgina Young as we dive into the world of s...
Episode 102: Circle time, Reluctant Staff and Peer Observations
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Twinkl Private Early Years answers your early years practitioners problems! This episode covers:How long should circle time be for toddlers and presch...
Episode 101: Supporting Toddlers
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
🎙️🎧 Episode 101 IS NOW LIVE!!! 🎧🎙️Join Shána, Michelle and Samantha as they explore what it really means to support toddlers, both at...
Episode 100: Nappy Rotas, Nursery Covering and Moving Rooms
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Twinkl Private Early Years answers your early years practitioners problems! This episode covers:Should nappies be changed by the key person or is a ro...
Episode 99: A Strong Start to Phonics
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Shána is joined by Laura Brogan, our NEL Phonics Lead, for a deep dive into how children build the foundations for reading through P...
Episode 98: Christmas Special
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎄 Our Christmas Special is LIVE! 🎄Join Shána, Laura, Lou, and Georgia for a festive edition packed with holiday cheer, hilarious games, and ple...
Episode 97: Setting up your Creative Area with Crafts
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Shána and Lorna as they dive into the world of setting up your perfect creative craft area!In this episode, they explore what a creative area tr...
Episode 96: Christmas planning, gift bags and opening hours
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Twinkl Private Early Years answers your early years practitioners problems! This episode covers:How do you keep coming up with Christmas planning idea...
Episode 95: Communicating with Parents & Carers
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shána is joined by Michelle Elliot, Early Years Parents ECL at Twinkl, to explore the vital role of effective communication between educators, parent...
Episode 94: Refusing nappies, interviews and banning Halloween
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Twinkl Private Early Years answers your early years practitioners problems! This episode covers:What should we do with a staff member who is refusing ...
Episode 93: Nutrition
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Shána, Julia and Lou as they dive into nutrition in the Early Years. They’ll be chatting through recent changes, what this means for your sett...
Episode 92: Ofsted Inspection Updates for November 2025
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the last couple of weeks, Ofsted have released the newest inspection framework, early years toolkits and held online briefings to share more detail...
Episode 91: Wellbeing Boundaries and Control
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
💬 How do we protect our wellbeing in the busy world of Early Years?Shána and Becky explore strategies for setting boundaries, regaining balance an...
Episode 90: Outdoor Time, Paperwork in the Room and Supply Staff
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Twinkl Private Early Years answers your early years practitioners problems all around the new EYFS 2025 and safeguarding reforms! This episode covers:...
Episode 89: DfE Updates for September 2025 Facebook Live
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we’re joined by Twinkl’s National Education Lead, Michelle Windridge, to break down what’s changing in early years education fr...
Episode 88: EYFS 2025, What's Changed?
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Twinkl Private Early Years answers your early years practitioners problems all around the new EYFS 2025 and safeguarding reforms! This episode covers:...
Episode 87: Continuous Provision
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join the Twinkl EY in Schools team as they dive into all things continuous provision, from what it really means, to exploring enhanced and integrated ...
Episode 86: Activity Ideas, Bag Searches and Toys from Home
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Twinkl Private Early Years answers your early years practitioners problems! This episode covers:I’ve worked in childcare for a while and find it har...
Episode 85: What Does Behaviour Tell Us?
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Shána, Julia and Liz as they explore what behaviour tells us in early years settings. From schemas to dysregulation, they share insights and str...
Episode 84: Unqualified Staff, Toddler Room Leaders and Apprentices
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Twinkl Private Early Years answers your early years practitioners problems! This episode covers:Should unqualified staff have key children?What advice...
Episode 83. Screens Ruin Reading
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Shána, Emma, and Pete as they dive into the topic of Do Screens Ruin Reading?, exploring the impact of screen time on early literacy. They refle...
Episode 82: Diversity, Successful Managing and Dummies
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Twinkl Private Early Years answers your early years practitioners problems! This episode covers:How can you ensure you setting celebrates diversity?Wh...
Episode 81: Submitting the EYFS Profile
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Shána, Tracie, and Amie as they explore the EYFS Profile—what it is, why it matters, and how it supports children’s development. A quick, in...
Episode 80: School Transition Forms, Smart watch Policies and Deputy Managers.
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Twinkl Private Early Years answers your early years practitioners problems! This episode covers:What key information should be included in a school tr...
Episode 79: The Play Cycle
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Shána, Lou and Julia as they discuss the many stages of the play cycle.https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1mw07uhttps://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/18ecnthttps:/...
Episode 78: Staff Morale, Staff Breaks and Outdoor Play
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Twinkl Private Early Years answers your early years practitioners problems! This episode covers:How can I further support staff morale in my room?How ...
Episode 77: Phonics Doesn't Work
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Shána as she speaks to Educational Content Leads Becki Porter and Emma Fitzgerald, about how phonics isn't the only tool for learning to rea...
Episode 76: Early Years Apprentices with Sophie Hayter
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Katie from Twinkl Private Early Years as she discusses early years apprentices with Sophie Hayter! Sophie is one of, if not THE, leading expert o...
Episode 75: Social Communication
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join Shána as she speaks with Jayde, an SEND EYFS educator and Makaton Tutor, about how we use communication to support social interactions.Sign &...
Episode 74: Reducing Stress
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Twinkl Private Early Years answers your early years practitioners problems! This episode covers:How do I stand out in my CV when applying for jobs in ...
Episode 73: Communication & Language for EAL & SEND Learners
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
BONUS EPISODE!To round off our mini series on communication and language development, Shána speaks with the Twinkl EAL and SEND managers about the ba...
Episode 72: Christmas Special 2024!
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Twinkl Early Years in Schools, Private Early Years and Early Years CPD teams have come together to give you another Christmas Special! Complete...
Episode 71: Communication & Language Part 3
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this third and final episode of our miniseries on communication development in the early years, Julia and Louise outline the development that happe...
Episode 70: Communication & Language Part 2
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this second episode of our three-part miniseries on communication development in the early years, Julia and Louise outline the development that hap...
Episode 69: Communication & Language Part 1
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Julia and Louise are back in this mini series about Communication & Language in the Early Years. In this part 1, we discuss the importance of comm...
Episode 68: Routines, Reading, Room Leaders & Change!
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Twinkl Private Early Years answers your early years practitioners problems! This episode covers:What methods do you use to improve daily routines?What...
Episode 67: Early Years Practitioners Day Special!
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week the Twinkl Early Years Schools and Private Early Years teams have joined to celebrate you! Listen as they share stories of the struggles, la...
Episode 66: Are Staff Meetings Pointless?
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join the Twinkl Private Early Years team as they discuss the experiences and reality of staff meetings in day nurseries and preschools. Is the experie...
Episode 65: The Benefits of Board Games
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Shána as she speaks with Sophie Bradley to discuss board game benefits and how these games can support not just children's reading skills, b...
Episode 64: Interview Red Flags
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Twinkl Private Early Years answers your practitioner problems! This episode covers:What is the difference between level 2 and level 3 practitioners in...
Episode 63: Supporting Male Practitioners
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Shána as she speaks with Stuart Cloke, a nursery manager, on how we can support our male early years practitioners in the workplace.Follow Stuar...
Episode 62: Ofsted Questions & Answers
28 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join the Twinkl Private Early Years team as they discuss some commonly asked questions from Ofsted and how to answer them. The questions answered incl...
Episode 61: Outliers Subject Leadership
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
SUBJECT LEADERSHIP MINI SERIESTwinkl EY in schools and Twinkl Subject Leads are teaming up!Shána & Katie end the mini series discussing how the...
Episode 60: Creative Arts Subject Leadership
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
SUBJECT LEADERSHIP MINI SERIESTwinkl EY in schools and Twinkl Subject Leads are teaming up!Shána & Katie continue the mini series discussing ho...
Episode 59: Humanities Subject Leadership
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
SUBJECT LEADERSHIP MINI SERIESTwinkl EY in schools and Twinkl Subject Leads are teaming up!Shána & Katie continue the mini series discussing ho...
Episode 58: English and Maths Subject Leadership
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
EPISODE AUDIO UPDATED - SUBJECT LEADERSHIP MINI SERIESTwinkl EY in schools and Twinkl Subject Leads are teaming up!Shána & Katie continue the m...
Episode 57: Subject Leadership and the Early Years (Instagram Live)
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
SUBJECT LEADERSHIP MINI SERIESTwinkl EY in schools and Twinkl Subject Leads are teaming up! It is expected that subject leaders have an overview and u...
Episode 56: Transitions in Private Early Years Settings
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join the Twinkl Private Early Years team as they discuss the experiences and reality of how transitions go in early years. Katie, Charlotte, Fliss and...
Episode 55: Conquering COVID Catch-Up
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Shána gets advise from Lucy Lewin about how to support children who were born during or after the first COVID lockdown in England, and delves deep in...
Episode 54: Private Early Years Problems, Answered!
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Twinkl Private Early Years answers your early years practitioners problems! This episode covers:Should we use sticker charts and time-outs in early ye...
Episode 53: Fine Motor Skills Part 2
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this second instalment of the fine motor skills series, Shána, Julia and Louise go into the details of the 7 types of fine motor skills that are d...
Episode 52: Organising a Toddler Room
10 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join the Twinkl Private Early Years team as they discuss their top tips to organising a toddler room ahead of the increase of funded hours in April 20...
Episode 51: Fine Motor Skills Part 1
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Twinkl Early Years CPD team begin this two-part series explaining what fine motor skills are and why they are vital skills across all areas of the...
Episode 50: Private Early Years Problems, Answered!
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join the Twinkl Private Early Years team as they answer your early years practitioners problems! In this episode, Katie, Charlotte, Fliss and Hannah a...
Episode 49: Sustainability in the Early Years
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Shána speaks with author Johanne Lee about how important and simple it is to talk about sustainability with early years children.Get her books on Ama...
Episode 48: Surviving the Outdoors in Winter
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join the Twinkl Private Early Years team as they discuss the realities of early years outdoor play in winter. Join Katie, Charlotte, Fliss and Hannah ...
Episode 47: Executive Function
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Shána, Julia and Louise as they explore executive function and its critical role in the development of children aged birth to five years old. As...
Christmas Special 2023!
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Twinkl Early Years in Schools and Private Early Years teams have come together to give you another Christmas Special! Complete with fun and games,...
Episode 46: Private Early Years Problems, Answered!
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Twinkl Private Early Years team are back to answer more of your early years practitioners problems! This episode covers:How often should early yea...
Episode 45: The Power of Play
20 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we delve into the transformative and often underestimated realm of play. Join Shána, Julia & Louise as we explore how embracing ...
Episode 44: Is It Worth Having Apprentices?
06 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Twinkl Private Early Years team TAKEOVER!It’s commonplace in most private early years settings and some schools to have apprentices included as part...
Episode 43: Beating Burnout with D.O.S.E.
23 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling stressed, tired, run-down, or all of the above? We know that being an early years practitioner can be physically and mental demanding, so we a...
Episode 42: Private Early Years Problems, Answered!
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Twinkl Private Early Years team TAKEOVER!The Twinkl Private Early Years team answers your early years practitioner problems! This episode covers:Shoul...
Episode 41: Schemas Part 2
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How many schemas are there? How can I tell what schema a child is working in? How can I support them? Julia & Louise answer these questions and mo...
Episode 40: Private vs School-based Settings
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Twinkl Private Early Years team TAKEOVER!Twinkl Early Years staff are asked a lot... is it better working in a school-based or private early years set...
Episode 39: The Attainment Gap
28 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The 3 words every early years practitioner dreads... the attainment gap! Have no fear, Jordan from the charity Peeple is here to put your mind at rest...
Episode 38: Schemas Part 1
14 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you know what a schema is? Did you know there are 9 of them? How do children use schemas and how can you tell? These are all questions Shána had f...
Episode 37: Top Tips for September (Instagram Live)
31 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
So, you're about to join the best community EVER, but don't have a clue what to expect? 🤯Join us for an Instagram LIVE on Tuesday the 4th o...
Episode 36: Parent Relationships with Famly
17 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
All the way from Copenhagen, Matt from Famly talks about why parent and family relationships are vital for not only the child, but the carers and educ...
Episode 35: The Collective Approach
03 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
They say it takes a village to raise a child. That couldn't be more true in today's society! Shána speaks with Samantha Dholakia on who can b...
Episode 34: Risky Play
19 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Julia and Lou are back to teach us how to promote and support risky play in our settings. We might also learn about what they find risky as adults!Ris...
Episode 33: Gestalt Language Processing
05 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Shána speaks with Cathy from the Speech Den about Gestalt Language Processing and how we can support children in a school and home setting.Follow Cat...
Episode 32: Signing
22 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Speech and Language advisor Sarah Billingham is back, this time to talk about alternative forms of communication such as using sign languages and syst...
Episode 31: Around The World - Northern Ireland!
08 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
MINI SERIESEver wanted to teach Early Years abroad? Shána talks to Amy on TikTok Live about what it's like to be an EYFS Teacher in Northern Irel...
Episode 30: EYFS Around The World - Scotland!
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
MINI SERIESEver wanted to teach Early Years abroad? Shána talks to Fiona about what it's like to be an EYFS Teacher in Scotland!Check out their: ...
Episode 29: EYFS Around The World - Mexico!
10 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
MINI SERIESEver wanted to teach Early Years abroad? Shána talks to Delia on TikTok Live about what it's like to be an EYFS Teacher in Mexico!Chec...
Episode 28: EYFS Around The World - South Africa!
27 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
MINI SERIESEver wanted to teach Early Years abroad? Shána talks to Liesel about what it's like to be an EYFS Teacher in South Africa!Check out th...
Episode 27: EYFS Around The World - Romania!
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
MINI SERIESEver wanted to teach Early Years abroad? Shána talks to Sonia on TikTok Live about what it's like to be an EYFS Teacher in Romania!Che...
Twinkl Talks: EYFS 1st Birthday Giveaway!
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
BONUS EPISODE! Twinkl Talks: EYFS is now 1 year old, wow! Here is a special bonus episode with outtakes that never quite made it to air..Shána also ...
Episode 26: EYFS Around The World - Australia!
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
MINI SERIESEver wanted to teach Early Years abroad? Shána talks to Stacey about what it's like to be an EYFS Teacher in Australia!Check out their...
Episode 25: Wellbeing with Jessica Joan
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Teaching in the Early Years is rewarding, but not without its challenges. One of them of course, is your wellbeing! Shána talks with Primary School t...
Episode 24: Nurturing Curiosity
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Julia and Lou are back! This time they explore the theme of curiosity, why it is so important to nurture it in the EYFS and what happens when we lead ...
Episode 23: Playful Mathematics with Dr. Helen Williams
16 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Shána talks with Nursery World 2022 Award Winning Author Dr. Helen J Williams about how to make maths learning fun and engaging inside and outside t...
Episode 22: Behaviour Talks with Sarah Billingham
02 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
HAPPY NEW YEAR!Shána kick-starts 2023 with a chat about the link between behaviour and communication, with Speech and Language advisor Sarah Billingh...
Episode 21: Christmas Special!
19 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Shána gets the Twinkl EYFS team together with some new faces, Charlotte and Fliss from the Private Nurseries team, to talk all things Christmas!Enter...
Episode 20: The Magic of Music with Harriet Thomas
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Boogie Mites Creative Director Harriet Thomas joins Shána on this episode to talk about why music is so important to teach in Early Years.Listen to t...
Episode 19: Baby Talk with Angharad Welch
21 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know there is a connection between a baby's feeding development and their speech and language skills? Me neither! But don't worry, Ear...
Episode 18: Why Representation Matters with Joss Cambridge-Simmons
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Diversity Award winning Joss Cambridge-Simmons, founder of Jossy Care, shares his journey in becoming an Early Years practitioner, the challenges he h...
Episode 17: Loose Parts
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Back by popular demand, Julia and Lou, aka Loulia (not my decision guys), talk about loose parts and the theory it evolved from. You might be surprise...
Episode 16: The Spirit of the Child with Jill Bittinger
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Shána speaks with another international guest, Jill Dianne Bittinger, about the core values behind the Montessori approach, what it looks like in the...
Episode 15: Attachment Theory
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The beginning of a new school year can be a real challenge for children with separation anxiety. Shána invites her colleagues and friends, Julia and ...
Episode 14: My Mood Stars with Wendy White
12 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Talking about emotions can be a challenge for some children. Wendy has a wonderful resource she developed from her experience as a childminder to help...
Episode 13: School Readiness
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's a term we are all familiar with, educators and parents alike. But what does it actually mean? Shána busts some myths about what it takes for...
Episode 12: New Staff to the EYFS
15 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Are you an ECT starting in an Early Years class or setting? Perhaps you have worked in another Key Stage and have been told you are joining Nursery or...
Episode 11: Nature Based Learning with Marina Robb
01 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Forest school, Outdoor Learning, the Nature Based Approach. We have mostly all heard of these terms, but what do they actually mean? Shána is joined ...
Episode 10: Emotional Literacy with Jenna Moniz
18 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Emotional literacy and regulation is a challenging and yet important skill for children to develop. How do we support our children in being aware of a...
Episode 9: Inclusion & Diversity in Children's Books with Lesley Berrington
04 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Shána talks with Lesley Berrington, published author of Hattie & Friends book series, about representation in children's books and why they a...
Episode 8: Being A Male Practitioner in the EYFS
20 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the UK, only 3% of EYFS practitioners are male. Join Shána as she chats with Tom, Matt C, Mat S, Mat M & Matthew (Yes, that is a lot of Matthe...
Episode 7: Dyslexia
06 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
1 in 10 of us will have some form of Dyslexia. That includes Early Years educators. In this episode, Shána explores the challenges that practitioners...