Keeping Current in Early Childhood Education

Seeing strength: Mentoring for diverse learners in Aotearoa

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1463971/fan_mail/new] How the way a mentor sees, the lens they bring to a student teacher, and to the learners in their classroom, shapes practice in ways that ripple far beyond a single placement. From supporting teachers new to Aotearoa, to seeing neurodiversity as strength rather than deficit, this episode explores what it really means to look closely and lead with that. Proudly sponsored by NZTC.

Holding the Space: Supporting Children Through Conflict

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1463971/fan_mail/new] What if the moments we rush to fix are actually where the deepest learning happens? In this episode, we explore how educators can step back and support children to navigate conflict on their own. Through practical strategies and grounded in child development theory, you’ll learn how to guide without taking over - helping children build confidence, empathy, and lifelong problem-solving skills.

The Art of Inspiring Mentorship

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1463971/fan_mail/new] This podcast session brought to you by NTZC in partnership with ECE Learning Unlimited, supporting Associate Teachers in your important work with student teachers. Mentorship has the power to shape careers, confidence, and the future of teaching itself. The Art of Inspiring Mentorship explores what meaningful, values-driven mentorship looks like for both associate teachers and student teachers across early childhood, primary, and secondary settings. This talk goes beyond requirements and checklists, focusing instead on belief, reflection, vulnerability, and partnership. It speaks directly to associate teachers about the influence they hold, encourages student teachers to step confidently into their learning, and highlights the lasting ripple effect that strong mentorship creates within the profession. Whether you’re welcoming a student teacher into your classroom or stepping into placement for the first time, this guide is a reminder that great mentorship doesn’t just develop skills - it builds identity, resilience, and inspired educators for the future.

Leadership That Doesn't Make People Hide in the Cupboard

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1463971/fan_mail/new] In this easy-listening, laugh-while-you-learn episode, Jess - mum of three young kids (including twins) and long-time ECE teacher and leader - lifts the lid on what leadership really feels like. She explores why some leaders accidentally send staff into fight-or-flight mode, and how emotionally steady, human-centred leadership can completely change the vibe of a centre. With humour, honesty, and real-life stories, Jess shows how tiny everyday actions create teams who feel safe, supported, and genuinely happy to see their leader walk through the door. A must-listen for anyone leading in ECE… or anyone who’s ever considered hiding in the cupboard at work.

The Chaos Reset Button

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1463971/fan_mail/new] When the room goes feral and every adult looks like they’re one noise away from crying, it’s time for a reset. In this funny and instantly useful episode, Jess shares how to calm the chaos by resetting the adults first, then the environment, then the children. Real, practical, and totally relatable for anyone who’s ever walked into a room and thought, “Absolutely not.”