Twinkl Private Early Years answers your early years practitioners problems! This episode covers:

 

 * It's parents' evening soon, and I'm terrified, as I've never done one before. Any tips?
 * Opinions on screen time within nurseries? E.g., watching something at the end of the day or nursery rhyme videos? https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/incy-wincy-spider-animated-nursery-rhyme-t-e-1673450626
 * Should staff have to come in on a weekend to take part in stay-and-plays?

 

Want to see more from the Twinkl Private Early Years team? You can find us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/twinklprivateearlyyears/?utm_campaign=PVIEYFS&utm_content=Podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_source=Podcast&utm_term=Socials]and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/twinkprivateearlyyears/?utm_campaign=EYFS&utm_content=Podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_source=Podcast&utm_term=Socials]. Don't forget to check out our lovely Twinkl EYFS Resources [https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/i1mit] for your day nursery, preschool and all other EYFS settings too!

Episode 106:  Parents’ Evening and Screen Time

Join Shána and Hana as they discuss how to support bilingualism in the early years. In this episode, they explore the science of bilingualism and language acquisition, challenge common misconceptions, and share what educators need to know to support bilingual children effectively.

They also discuss what this looks like in practice within early years settings, highlight a helpful app that supports communication with multilingual families, and introduce Hana’s CPD courses for educators who want to deepen their understanding and confidence in supporting bilingual learners.

 

Be sure to check out Hana's socials and the links below to learn more.

Sprouts Arabic

‎Sprouts Arabic Montessori Nursery | براعم العربية كارديف‎ (@sproutsarabic) • Instagram profile [http://www.instagram.com/sproutsarabic]

www.sproutsarabic.co.uk [http://www.sproutsarabic.co.uk/]

sproutsarabic on TikTok [http://www.tiktok.com/@sproutsarabic]

Taani Tech

Taani Tech (@taanitech) • Instagram profile [http://www.instagram.com/taanitech]

https://www.taani.tech/

Episode 105: Supporting Bilingualism in the Early Years

Twinkl Private Early Years answers your early years practitioners problems! This episode covers:

 * How do you come up with next steps for children?
 * How can I make my return to work after maternity leave go well?
 * What tips do you have for self-registration?



Want to see more from the Twinkl Private Early Years team? You can find us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/twinklprivateearlyyears/?utm_campaign=PVIEYFS&utm_content=Podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_source=Podcast&utm_term=Socials]and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/twinkprivateearlyyears/?utm_campaign=EYFS&utm_content=Podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_source=Podcast&utm_term=Socials]. Don't forget to check out our lovely Twinkl EYFS Resources [https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/i1mit] for your day nursery, preschool and all other EYFS settings too!

Episode 104: Play as Learning, Maternity Leave and Self Registration

🎧🎙️ Episode 103 IS NOW LIVE!!! 🎙️🎧

 

In this episode, we’re joined by Shána Walker and Georgina Young as we dive into the world of schemas and why they matter so much in children’s learning — especially outdoors 🌱

We talk about:

✨ What schemas are and how they show up in children’s play

✨ How the setting and environment influence learning

✨ Why outdoor schemas are so powerful

✨ Real examples of what we’ve seen in practice

✨ What happens when children don’t get these experiences

✨ Our top tips for supporting schemas in meaningful ways

 

This episode is all about seeing children differently, understanding behaviour as learning, and creating environments that truly support development.

 

🔗 Follow Georgina’s work and find out more:

👉 Connect with Georgina on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/share/1W9StQUq4K/?mibextid=wwXIfr]

👉 Follow Georgina on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theyoungoneschildminding?igsh=MXR6NDM0ZHJpMmF6Zg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr]

👉 Explore Georgina’s website here [https://earlyyears.blog/2025/04/27/lets-talk-about-schematic-play/]

Episode 103: Schema Play in Practise

Twinkl Private Early Years answers your early years practitioners problems! This episode covers:

 * How long should circle time be for toddlers and preschoolers?
 * What tips do you have for staff who seem withdrawn and reluctant to join in?
 * What are some effective ways to structure peer observations? 



Explore our EYFS Resources:

👉 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1gkf05

👉 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/x2xni

👉 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1a2vqg

Want to see more from the Twinkl Private Early Years team? You can find us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/twinklprivateearlyyears/?utm_campaign=PVIEYFS&utm_content=Podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_source=Podcast&utm_term=Socials]and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/twinkprivateearlyyears/?utm_campaign=EYFS&utm_content=Podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_source=Podcast&utm_term=Socials]. Don't forget to check out our lovely Twinkl EYFS Resources [https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/i1mit] for your day nursery, preschool and all other EYFS settings too!



Episode 102: Circle time, Reluctant Staff and Peer Observations

🎙️🎧 Episode 101 IS NOW LIVE!!! 🎧🎙️

Join Shána, Michelle and Samantha as they explore what it really means to support toddlers, both at home and in early years settings. Drawing on professional insight and real-world experience, the team discusses how toddlers’ needs differ from younger children, and how adults can respond with confidence, consistency and compassion.

In this episode, we cover:

 * Supporting toddlers - how is it different?
 * How can routines help toddlers feel safe, settled and ready to learn?
 * What can settings do to support toddlers and families when starting an education setting?
 * Why is sleep such a common challenge at this age, and how can practitioners support families?
 * How can potty training be approached in a way that respects each child’s readiness?
 * What role do dummies play in comfort and self-regulation, and when might change be needed?
 * How can early years professionals support parent wellbeing during the toddler years?

 

Whether you’re an early years practitioner, a setting leader, or a parent of a toddler, this episode offers practical guidance, reassurance and plenty of “you’re not alone” moments.

 

Explore our EYFS Resources:

👉 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/18yh7a

👉 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/1fd2pa

👉 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/10bkfg

Episode 101: Supporting Toddlers

Twinkl Private Early Years answers your early years practitioners problems! This episode covers:

 * Should nappies be changed by the key person or is a rota best?
 * What advice do you have for covering at a different nursery?
 * Can I say no to moving rooms?

﻿

Want to see more from the Twinkl Private Early Years team? You can find us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/twinklprivateearlyyears/?utm_campaign=PVIEYFS&utm_content=Podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_source=Podcast&utm_term=Socials]and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/twinkprivateearlyyears/?utm_campaign=EYFS&utm_content=Podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_source=Podcast&utm_term=Socials]. Don't forget to check out our lovely Twinkl EYFS Resources [https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/i1mit] for your day nursery, preschool and all other EYFS settings too!





Episode 100: Nappy Rotas, Nursery Covering and Moving Rooms

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 Phase 1 (Level 1) phonics.



Together, they unpack:

🔹 Why pre-phonics skills matter

🔹 The key aspects of Level 1 and how they underpin later phonics success

🔹 What it can look like when Level 1 isn’t fully secured

🔹 How early gaps can affect a child’s progression through other phonics phases

🔹 Laura’s top tips for strengthening early listening, attention, and sound awareness



Whether you’re an early years practitioner, a teacher, or someone supporting children at home, this conversation is packed with practical guidance to help children build a confident start in phonics.



📖 Read more on this topic:

🔗 https://www.twinkl.co.uk/l/ctpl5

Episode 99: A Strong Start to Phonics

🎄 Our Christmas Special is LIVE! 🎄

Join Shána, Laura, Lou, and Georgia for a festive edition packed with holiday cheer, hilarious games, and plenty of laughs. Whether you’re wrapping presents, sipping cocoa, or just getting into the Christmas spirit, this episode is the perfect companion.



Tune in now and celebrate the season with us! ✨🎁

Episode 98: Christmas Special

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 truly is, not just painting, but role-play, messy play, small world setups, music corners, malleable play and more.

Episode 97: Setting up your Creative Area with Crafts

Working in the early years is busy, funny, messy and exhausting. Join host Shána, some of the Twinkl EYFS team, special guest speakers and other early years practitioners as they talk honestly about their experiences. Whether you're listening for CPD, on your commute or to help you relax... Twinkl EYFS will share everything you need to know about all things early years!

Want to get involved or share your thoughts? Get in touch on social media!

LinkedIn: @twinkl-talks-eyfs [https://www.linkedin.com/in/twinkl-talks-eyfs/]

Facebook: @TwinklEYFS [https://www.facebook.com/TwinklEYFS]

Instagram: @eyfstwinkl [https://www.instagram.com/eyfstwinkl/]

Twitter: @TwinklTalksEYFS [https://twitter.com/TwinklTalksEYFS]

TikTok: @Twinkl_EYFS [https://www.tiktok.com/@twinkl_eyfs?lang=en]

Pinterest: @twinkleyfs [https://www.pinterest.co.uk/twinkleyfs/_saved/]

YouTube: TwinklEYFS [https://www.youtube.com/c/TwinklEYFS/playlists]

Twinkl Talks: EYFS

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