At Early Bloom, hosted by Blossom, we create connections between everyone in the early years. Expect insights into the industry, conversations with sector experts, and discussions on hot topics that affect us all. Whether you're an early years educator, nursery manager, owner or even a parent, there's something here for everyone.
Sophie Allen: Montessori in Practice, Pedagogy and Developing Independence
In this episode we’re joined by Sophie Allen, an early years educator and consultant specialising in the Montessori approach. Sophie has over 9 years of experience in the sector, from working in Montessori schools to being the Montessori lead at an EdTech company.
During our conversation we cover:
- The difference between pedagogy and curriculumin early years
- How to choose a pedagogical approach that alignswith your setting
- The Montessori principles and what makes asetting a Montessori nursery
- The benefits of the Montessori approach
- Parents’ perceptions of Montessori
Enjoy!
Sophie’s Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophierztallen/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophierztallen/)
Research: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03004279.2024.2303234 (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03004279.2024.2303234)
More Information on Montessori and Accreditation:
https://www.flipsnack.com/56957B77C6F/ (https://www.flipsnack.com/56957B77C6F/)
https://montessori-globaleducation.org/ (https://montessori-globaleducation.org/)
https://montessori-ami.org/ (https://montessori-ami.org/)
Find Blossom:
Website: https://blossomeducational.com/ (https://blossomeducational.com/)
On social media by searching @blossomeducational
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow andsubscribe so you don’t miss our upcoming conversations!
6 Oct 2025
Katie Taylor: Outdoor Play, Forest Schools and Maximising Learning Outdoors
In this episode we’re joined by Katie Taylor, an EYFS teacher and consultant, forest school leader, and founder of Early Years Outdoor. Katie is also the author of ‘The Nature Adventure Book’ and a passionate advocate for outdoor learning in the early years.
During our conversation we cover:
- Barriers educators face when it comes to outdoorplay, and how to overcome them
- How to make the most out of your outdoor space,even when budget is tight
- Forest school principles and how to become aforest school leader
- Balancing screen time with outdoor play forhealthy development
Enjoy!
Katie’s Links:
Website: https://www.earlyyearsoutdoor.co.uk/ (https://www.earlyyearsoutdoor.co.uk/)
Book: https://www.earlyyearsoutdoor.co.uk/product/the-nature-adventure-book-by-katie-taylor/ (https://www.earlyyearsoutdoor.co.uk/product/the-nature-adventure-book-by-katie-taylor/)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlyyearsoutdoor/ (https://www.instagram.com/earlyyearsoutdoor/)
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@earlyyearsoutdoor (https://www.tiktok.com/@earlyyearsoutdoor)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/earlyyearsoutdoor/ (https://www.facebook.com/earlyyearsoutdoor/)
Find Blossom:
Website: https://blossomeducational.com/ (https://blossomeducational.com/)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blossomeducational/ (https://www.instagram.com/blossomeducational/ )
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blossomedtech/ (https://www.facebook.com/blossomedtech/)
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blossomeducational (https://www.tiktok.com/@blossomeducational)
1 Sept 2025
Cheryl Warren: Neurodiversity Affirming Practice, Inclusive Environments and Ofsted
In this episode, we’re welcoming Cheryl Warren, an award-winning early years trainer and consultant, specialising in neurodiversity. Cheryl is the founder of Aperion Training and author of ‘Neurodiversity in the Early Years’. She works with nurseries and schools across the country providing SEND support and creating spaces where children thrive.
During our conversation we cover:
- What inclusive practice is and what this looks like in settings
- Being a neuro-affirming educator
- Ofsted’s focus on inclusion and being confident in your conversations with inspectors
- Strategies for reflecting on your current practice
Enjoy!
Cheryl’s Links:
Website: https://www.aperiontraining.co.uk/ (https://www.aperiontraining.co.uk/)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-warren-aperion-training-11568b11b/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-warren-aperion-training-11568b11b/)
Find Blossom:
Website: https://blossomeducational.com/ (https://blossomeducational.com/)
On social media by searching @blossomeducational
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow andsubscribe so you don’t miss our upcoming conversations!
4 Aug 2025
Alex Dave: Digital Media Use, Parental Partnership and Online Safety in the Early Years
In this episode, we’re joined by Alex Dave, a safeguarding education officer at LGfL. Alex has a degree in early childhood and over 15 years of experience in the education and safeguarding sector.
During our conversation we cover:
- Eye-opening statistics around 3-5 year old’sdigital media use
- How digital media can support learning anddevelopment
- Creating a whole-setting approach to digitalmedia use
- The importance of online safeguarding
- Ways early years settings can work with parentson screen time and digital media use at home
Enjoy!
Alex’s Links:
LGfL Online Safety in Early Years Resources: https://eysafe.lgfl.net/ (https://eysafe.lgfl.net/)
LGfL Parent Safe: https://parentsafe.lgfl.net/ (https://parentsafe.lgfl.net/)
LGfL website full of support for professionals to use tohelp engage with parents’ online safety: https://parentonlinesafety.lgfl.net/ (https://parentonlinesafety.lgfl.net/)
Find Blossom:
Website: https://blossomeducational.com/ (https://blossomeducational.com/)
On social media by searching @blossomeducational
If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow andsubscribe so you don’t miss our upcoming conversations!
7 Jul 2025
Lucy Lewin: Courageous Leadership, Positive Safeguarding and Gen Z Educators
Lucy Lewin discusses navigating emotions after a negative judgment, distinguishing leadership from management, and understanding Gen Z educators in an interview about courage and safeguarding in early years education.
17 Jun 2025
Unlocking Potential: The Impact of Outdoor Learning on Children with SEN
Industry experts discuss how nurseries support parents of children with special educational needs and the benefits of outdoor learning, including effective frameworks for SEN accommodations in this interview.
17 Jun 2025
How Your Upbringing Shapes You and Your Success with Carole Edmond
Carole Edmond discusses how her upbringing and early career experiences at Bupa and Bright Horizons shaped her passion for childcare and inspired her work scaling nurseries and innovating at KidsKonnect in this interview.
17 Jun 2025
Unlocking the Power of Early Years Nutrition with Louise Mercieca
Nutritional therapist Louise Mercieca discusses and clarifies common misconceptions surrounding early years nutrition, offering valuable insights for parents and caregivers in this interview.
17 Jun 2025
Demystifying Childcare Funding in the UK with Tricia Wellings
Tricia Wellings demystifies childcare funding changes happening in the UK, drawing on her extensive experience running nurseries and consulting with the MBK Group in this interview.
27 Feb 2024
Unlocking the Secrets of Early Brain Development in the First 1000 Days with Clare Stead
Clare Stead, founder of Oliiki App, discusses the critical importance of the first 1000 days of a child's life and how her app supports early childhood development, in this interview.
27 Feb 2024
Lucy Lewin Shares her 5 Pillars to Becoming a Successful Nursery Owner
Lucy Lewin, nursery owner and academy founder, details her five-pillar philosophy for running a profitable nursery, emphasizing that financial success enables better care and staff compensation in this interview.
Who has been a guest on Early Bloom
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Lucy Lewin
Carole Edmond
Louise Mercieca
Tricia Wellings
Clare Stead
Podcast Authority Score: 6 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
12
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
Contact Early Bloom
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Early Bloom?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
