In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast, host Tatia Singleton is joined by curriculum manager Emma Minchella for an honest conversation about living with cerebral palsy through the experiences of Emma’s daughter, Bella. Together, they explore what cerebral palsy is, the challenges of securing a diagnosis, the importance of parental advocacy, and the realities of growing up with a disability. Emma shares a deeply personal account of navigating healthcare, education, and everyday life, offering valuable insights for parents, educators, and professionals working with children and young people. Filled with compassion, practical advice, and powerful reflections on resilience, inclusion, and the importance of understanding each individual’s unique journey, this episode is a moving reminder that a diagnosis is only one part of a person’s story.
Find out more about our Apprenticeships programmes:
https://www.bestpracticenet.co.uk/apprenticeships (https://www.bestpracticenet.co.uk/apprenticeships)
Best Practice Network: Apprenticeships Podcast
Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4ul82D5PbeEY4lFJGYiblT) | Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-practice-network-apprenticeships/id1857639713) | Amazon Music (https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/4a84123c-1320-4048-a9bd-b20946e6c2cf/best-practice-network-apprenticeships) | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB5yK9yCkl6_HKdLClbE6lLJ5BvpD6Tju)
Inclusion Starts Here: The EYSEN Podcast
Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/033J6hn9UQRjDhfnfZedUi) | Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inclusion-starts-here-the-eysen-podcast/id6787126208) | Amazon Music (https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/7051d847-9578-45e2-905a-982c547ca0a1/inclusion-starts-here-the-eysen-podcast) | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ6zUDrwVEpk)
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29 Sept 2026
Early Years Senior Leaders: Coaching and Mentoring
This podcast episode explores the powerful role of coaching in early years leadership with Shelly Newby, an experienced early years professional whose career spans more than two decades across childcare, teaching, nursery leadership, special educational needs, mentoring, and staff development. Drawing on a wealth of practical experience, Shelly shares insights into how coaching can unlock potential, build confidence, and support professional growth at every stage of an educator's journey.
In conversation with host, Tatia Singleton, Shelly unpacks the differences between managing, mentoring, and coaching, and explains why creating a coaching culture is essential for developing empowered, independent teams. From fostering psychological safety to helping practitioners become confident problem-solvers, this episode is packed with practical strategies and thought-provoking reflections for leaders looking to strengthen performance, succession planning, and workplace culture in their settings.
Find out more about our Apprenticeships programmes:
https://www.bestpracticenet.co.uk/apprenticeships (https://www.bestpracticenet.co.uk/apprenticeships)
Best Practice Network: Apprenticeships Podcast
Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4ul82D5PbeEY4lFJGYiblT) | Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-practice-network-apprenticeships/id1857639713) | Amazon Music (https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/4a84123c-1320-4048-a9bd-b20946e6c2cf/best-practice-network-apprenticeships) | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB5yK9yCkl6_HKdLClbE6lLJ5BvpD6Tju)
Inclusion Starts Here: The EYSEN Podcast
Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/033J6hn9UQRjDhfnfZedUi) | Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inclusion-starts-here-the-eysen-podcast/id6787126208) | Amazon Music (https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/7051d847-9578-45e2-905a-982c547ca0a1/inclusion-starts-here-the-eysen-podcast) | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ6zUDrwVEpk)
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22 Sept 2026
Early Years Employment Law
In this thought-provoking episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast, hosts Tatia Singleton and Emma Minchella are joined by Deanne Cook, Managing Director of Northumbria University Nursery, to explore a critical but often overlooked issue in early years education: employment law. Together, they discuss staff rights, employer responsibilities, workplace wellbeing, and the impact that poor employment practices can have on recruitment, retention, and workforce sustainability across the sector.
Drawing on real experiences from practitioners and leaders, the conversation shines a light on issues such as lunch breaks, training time, contracts, apprentices' rights, and the need for greater awareness of employment law across early years settings. Deanne also shares details of her growing campaign and petition to improve employment rights education and accountability within the sector, making this an essential listen for nursery managers, practitioners, apprentices, and anyone passionate about creating fairer workplaces in early years.
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Find out more about our Apprenticeships programmes:
https://www.bestpracticenet.co.uk/apprenticeships (https://www.bestpracticenet.co.uk/apprenticeships)
Best Practice Network: Apprenticeships Podcast
Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4ul82D5PbeEY4lFJGYiblT) | Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-practice-network-apprenticeships/id1857639713) | Amazon Music (https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/4a84123c-1320-4048-a9bd-b20946e6c2cf/best-practice-network-apprenticeships) | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB5yK9yCkl6_HKdLClbE6lLJ5BvpD6Tju)
Inclusion Starts Here: The EYSEN Podcast
Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/033J6hn9UQRjDhfnfZedUi) | Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inclusion-starts-here-the-eysen-podcast/id6787126208) | Amazon Music (https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/7051d847-9578-45e2-905a-982c547ca0a1/inclusion-starts-here-the-eysen-podcast) | YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ6zUDrwVEpk)
Best Practice Network Social Media:
Facebook (https://en-gb.facebook.com/bestpracticenetwork/) | X/Twitter (https://twitter.com/bestpracticenet) | Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/bestpracticenetworkbpn/) | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/school/the-best-practice-network/)
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