Professor Sam Wass explores past, present & future childhood – gains in life expectancy & education, importance of nurturing caregiving, impacts of opioid addiction on parenting and children, plus the role of technology in Early Years care.

Professor Sam Wass reveals the latest baby brain research and what it means for early years practice, language learning, and everyday interactions in the nursery.

In this wide-ranging interview, we discuss Professor McGlone's research into the mechanosensitive c-fibres and how different types of touch affect humans differently. This includes discussion around existing research, such as Harlow's monkey, Michael Meaney's rats and John Cacioppo's book 'Loneliness'.

Professor McGlone explains how touch is a form of social communication and will change human behaviour, right from birth, where the gentle stroking touch is an essential form of communication.

In this interview, John explains sustainable citizenship, global citizenship, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and what practitioners and educators can do in their settings to achieve these Goals.

Professor Julie Fisher discusses the challenges of balancing child-centred approaches with external pressures in early years education, offering practical insights for creating environments that foster genuine learning and development.

Professor Julie Fisher explains the - often subtle - differences between interacting and interfering when communicating with young children.

In this interview, we discuss why transitions are still a critical part of children's educational lives; the importance of a play-based setting; the need for a new edition of 'Moving on to Key Stage 1'; her research for the new edition and some of the surprising results; helping Headteachers to become more knowledgeable about the value and place of play.

In this Masterclass interview, Professor Gray explains three different parenting styles (trustful parenting, directive-domineering and directive-protective), their history and what this means for modern childhood; the school system, alternative school systems (Sudbury Valley) and self-directed education; how the changes in children's lives during the pandemic lockdown may have significant knock-on effects for schooling and parenting in the future.

Professor Robert Winston is one of the most instantly recognisable scientists in the country and is Emeritus Professor of Fertility Studies at Imperial College.

In this interview, Puja explains how the app Devie is supporting parents in a non-judgemental and instantly accessible way.

In this interview, Rachel discusses the current situation in Internet safety, contextual safeguarding, online risks for children, signs that children may be at risk, some ideas for your setting's strategies policies and procedures and parent partnership.

In this interview, Rachel explains the importance of strategies especially the three protective factors of: Child’s developmental needs, family & environmental factors and parenting capacity.

Rachel goes on to explain how to analyse a situation for a child, the role of intuition (or that ‘gut feeling’) and how Eileen Munro’s writing has influenced Rachel. She suggests a 3-point strategy for decision making. Finally, we discuss how to use some of these strategies when working with other professionals and how Rachel’s book can help to support this

In this interview, Rachel and I discuss how we use processes that identify need, help and protect young children in the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic; responding effectively to well-being and safeguarding concerns for all children; how Early Help can make a difference; identifying and contextualising Early Help interventions; identifying when protection is needed and levels of need; strategies to identify, help and protect children.

In this interview we discuss Professional Curiosity – what it is and its use as a strategy to enable effective safeguarding and child protection. Rachel explains what this looks like in practice and, most importantly, that it is our professional responsibility. As a safeguarding expert, Rachel goes on to explain the special role Professional Curiosity plays in the unique relationship with parents, understanding children’s lived experiences, recognise triggers and how to maintain the professional boundaries.

Rachel explains terms such as ‘respectful uncertainty’, ‘disguised compliance’ and ‘rule of optimism’ as well as including lots of examples of Professional Curiosity and how taking action is essential when there are concerns about a child.

Essential guidance on the 2025 EYFS Safeguarding Reforms coming September 2025. Learn about new DSL roles, training requirements and safer recruitment.

Gain invaluable expert guidance on mastering the vital Designated Safeguarding Lead role from Rachel Buckler. This comprehensive session covers navigating challenges, exercising professional curiosity, escalating concerns properly, and developing best practice tailored to your local context.

In this interview, Rachel Buckler explains the crucial role of the Safeguarding/Child Protection Lead in an Early Years setting.

Rachel Macbeth-Webb is founder of the Award Winning nursery that is totally outdoors – in the UK – Beatle Woods.

Rae Pica shares practical strategies for making maths engaging and developmentally appropriate for young children through active learning in this insightful interview.

Rae Pica has been an education consultant, specializing in the development and education of the whole child, since 1980. She is the author of 20 books, a blogger, a columnist and was co-creator and host of  “Move for a Minute,” produced by New Hampshire Public Television and broadcast nationwide. She’s a popular and lively keynote presenter.