In this episode of The Early Years Development Show, we’re joined by Ryan Turner, a long-time leader at Fun Fest Holiday Clubs and passionate advocate for flexible, high-quality childcare. We dive into the unique world of FunFest—a child-led, Ofsted-registered holiday club with a strong focus on early years education—and discuss why creating enriching experiences for young children matters more than ever. Ryan unpacks what sets FunFest apart, including its wide activity offering, empha...

In this episode of The Early Years Development Show, we’re joined by Felicity Hawkins—founder of Fledgling Education, former assistant headteacher, and creative education consultant—who brings a powerful perspective on empowering children through creativity, emotional understanding, and inclusive learning. Felicity shares her journey from leadership in schools to launching her own venture focused on child-led, art-based education. We explore how creative learning supports confidence, the impo...

In this episode of The Early Years Development Show, we are joined by Abby Eaton, wellness consultant and Temple Spa manager, who shares her inspiring journey through motherhood, postnatal depression, and finding a path back to wellness through self-care and community. Abby opens up about the realities of postnatal mental health, the challenges many new parents face, and why carving out time for yourself is essential—not selfish. She also reveals how Temple Spa’s philosophy of honouring your...

In this episode of The Early Years Development Show, we are joined by Rachel Brooks, Managing Director of Swimtime, one of the UK’s leading swimming lesson providers. Rachel shares her incredible journey—from being a Swimtime parent to leading the business—and reveals why swimming is one of the most essential life skills for children. With over 25 years of experience, Swimtime has helped thousands of children and adults gain confidence in the water. Rachel discusses how their fun, inclusive,...

Transforming Bedtime Struggles into Sweet DreamsIn this episode of The Early Years Development Show, we are joined by Fay Smith, a highly experienced and passionate sleep consultant. Fay shares her incredible journey, transitioning from a career in mental health social work to helping families achieve better sleep through evidence-based practicesFay and her business partner, Jenna Wilson, have supported over 1,250 families across the UK. Drawing on their backgrounds in childcare law and menta...

In this episode of The Early Years Development Show, we dive into the challenges and triumphs of childhood nutrition with expert paediatric dietitian and feeding therapist, Emma Shafqat. Drawing from over a decade of experience, Emma shares her personal journey of raising a child with severe reflux and multiple food allergies, which has fueled her passion for helping families tackle fussy eating and complex dietary needs.We explore Emma’s practical solutions for parents navigating food-relate...

Empowering Mums: Nurturing Yourself and Your Child ✨In this episode of The Early Years Development Show we journey through the world of early childhood development with the remarkable Claire Russell from Play Hooray. As a former early years teacher, Claire brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, sharing invaluable insights into the transformative role of play in a child's life.But our conversation doesn't stop there. We delve into Claire's inspiring new venture focused on empowering moth...

🌳 Nature's Classroom: Harnessing the Outdoors for Children's Learning and GrowthIn this episode of The Early Years Development Show, we dive into the heart of nature-inspired learning with the remarkable Katie, founder of @the_play_adventures_ on Instagram. Katie has carved a niche in the world of educational play, where she passionately explores the boundless opportunities that nature presents for childhood learning and development. Through her innovative approach, she combines play, creativ...

🎶 Sounds of Growth: The Impact of Musical Instruments on Child Development with Hannah Donkin 🎹Welcome to another harmonious episode of our podcast, where we have the pleasure of sitting down with the Hannah Donkin, the guiding force behind Music Squad, who champion the profound impact of musical instruments on child development. With a mission to strike a chord in the hearts and minds of young learners, Hannah has been instrumental in orchestrating a brighter future for children through...

🎶 Unlock the Magic of Music for Your Child's Development with Kathy Doolan 🌟In this episode, we sit down with the remarkable Kathy Doolan, founder of Rhythm Time and a passionate advocate for the power of music in early childhood development. With over a quarter of a million children's lives enriched since the mid-nineties, Kathy shares her inspiring journey from a musician to a successful entrepreneur and devoted mother, who saw firsthand the transformative effect of music on her own daughte...