Best Practice Network: Apprenticeships

Early Years Senior Leaders: Corporate Social Responsibility

What does Corporate Social Responsibility really look like in an early years setting? In this inspiring episode, we speak with Jayne Cocksedge and Sonya Cheesmur from Jane's Nature Nursery about how sustainability, community engagement, and ethical leadership can transform children's learning experiences. Discover how a nature-based approach is helping children become more resilient, independent, and environmentally conscious, while also strengthening family engagement, staff wellbeing, and community connections. From cloth nappies and recycling initiatives to intergenerational partnerships with local care homes, Jayne and Sonya share practical examples of how small, everyday actions can create lasting positive change. This conversation challenges the idea that Corporate Social Responsibility is only for large organisations and demonstrates how early years leaders can make a meaningful impact on people, communities, and the planet—one child, one family, and one small step at a time.

Proud to be me: Understanding LGBTQ+

Emma Minchella and Tatia Singleton are joined by guest Bethanie Wiltshire, Employer Partnership Manager and Co-Chair of the SEG Pride Network, to mark Pride Month and explore the importance of supporting the LGBTQ+ community in education and the workplace. Together, they discuss the significance of Pride Month, the importance of creating inclusive and supportive environments, and how organisations can champion diversity, equality and belonging throughout the year. They also explore the value of representation, the impact of allyship, and why open conversations around identity and inclusion are so important for both learners and colleagues alike.

Early Years Senior Leaders: Organisational Values

In this insightful episode Tatia Singleton is joined by co-host, Emma Minchella and Lauren Hemmings to explore the role of organisational values in early years education and leadership. Drawing on their extensive experience as nursery leaders and managers, the conversation unpacks what values such as child-centred practice, partnership working, staff wellbeing, inclusion, and passion for early years truly look like in practice — from recruitment and induction to everyday decision-making in settings. The discussion also tackles the real-world challenges leaders face when values are tested by funding pressures, differing parental expectations, or operational demands. Through honest reflections and practical examples, the episode highlights how strong values shape setting culture, influence staff and family relationships, and ultimately ensure the best outcomes for children. Perfect for early years leaders, managers, and practitioners, this episode offers thought-provoking insights into leading with integrity, reflection, and purpose.

Childminder Insights with Coram Pacey

In this episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast, host Emma Minchella is joined by guest Ka Lai Brightley-Hodges from Coram Pacey to explore the findings from the Magic of Childminding 2026 report and celebrate the incredible impact childminders have on children, families and communities. Together, they discuss what makes childminding such a distinctive form of childcare, the importance of long-term relationships and emotional security for children, and why so many childminders remain passionate about the profession for years. They also explore the vital role childminders play in supporting babies and young children, creating rich learning experiences through everyday life, and providing trusted support for whole families.

Senior School Leaders: Level 7 Organisational Values

Explore what organisational values really mean in practice. You will reflect on whether values are lived or just displayed, how they shape behaviour and decision making, and how they hold up under pressure. This episode encourages you to align values, actions and culture to lead with greater consistency and clarity. Steph Larner-Pickin is an Assistant Headteacher in an Alternative Provision Academy and PRU in the north west of England. She has a particular interest in ethical leadership and what drives us as school leaders to make the decisions we do, including balancing accountability with compassion and the wellbeing of everyone within the organisation. Steph holds values-based practice close to her heart and believes that strong schools are built upon inclusion, justice, transparency, aspiration and trust. Resources Level 7 Organisational values - PowerPoint [https://isu.pub/FKRhvDH]