by Michelle Hague
Early Years Impact embraces innovation, insight and impact in early childhood education: whether you’re an educator, parent, policymaker, or just curious about how those early days shape who we become, this is for you. Michelle brings you the latest research, expert insights and real-life experiences to help you understand how little tweaks to everyday life can have a big impact on children’s earliest years.
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Publishing Since
5/18/2025
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October 19, 2025
<p>In this energising and thought-provoking episode, we explore what it really means to lead with intention in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). At a time when the role of early years leadership is becoming increasingly visible in both research and practice, we ask: what does great leadership actually look like through the lens of early childhood?</p><p>We consider the idea of the leader as connector - not just managing provision, but weaving together people, pedagogy and purpose. From shaping school-wide culture to nurturing the professional growth of early years teams, intentional leadership is more than a role - it's a responsibility rooted in relationships.</p><p>As the field of early childhood leadership research begins to expand, we're seeing just how essential this kind of thoughtful, responsive leadership is to high-quality provision. Whether you're a headteacher, EYFS lead or passionate classroom practitioner, this episode invites you to reflect, reconnect, and lead with clarity and care.</p><p>In This Episode, You’ll Discover:</p><p>• Why intentional leadership is a game-changer for early years settings and what it looks like in real life</p><p>• The vital role of leaders as connectors: linking children, teams, families and the wider school vision</p><p>• How early years leadership is emerging as a distinct and powerful field of research</p><p>• What research tells us about the link between early childhood leadership and whole-school outcomes</p><p>• Why leadership in early years must be shaped by a child development lens, not borrowed from other phases</p><p>• How to navigate the complexity of early childhood with confidence, flexibility and purpose</p><p>• What’s shaping and influencing the people leading our youngest learners and who’s leading them?</p><p>• The impact of targeted, intentional leadership on team growth, staff wellbeing and child outcomes</p><p>• How to move from managing to meaning-making: leading with vision, values and voice.</p><p>This episode is a reminder that in early childhood, leadership isn't about hierarchy - it’s about connection, influence and intention. And when we lead well, with the right mindset and methods, everyone in our setting thrives from the tiniest learners to the most experienced educators.</p><p>I’m Michelle Hague, founder of HEYD (Early Years School Improvement Specialists) and host of the Early Years Impact Podcast. Got thoughts, questions, or want to connect? Drop me a message: michellehague@heyd.uk or visit heyd.co.uk.</p><p>Dr Amie Fabry has multifaceted experience as an early childhood educator, academic, researcher, policy consultant and professional development facilitator. Her PhD research revealed the critical role early childhood leaders play in school settings to support educators to embed quality practices for children as they transition into and through the early years of school. As Director of Early Childhood at The Learning future, Amie uses a strengths-based approach to build the confidence, knowledge and skills of early childhood educators, teachers and leaders to create responsive and trusting cultures in which educators and children can thrive. She is the author of Lead with Intention, the first framework for leading the early years of school.</p><p>Linked In- Amie Fabry PhD</p><p>Instagram- amiefabry_earlyyears</p><p>Website thelearningfuture.com</p>
October 5, 2025
<p>In this <strong>inspiring episode</strong>, we explore what it really means to <strong>honour the natural rhythm of child development in early years</strong>. From the atmosphere of the classroom to the cadence of children’s days, we ask: what happens when we give ourselves permission to start trusting what we know about how children actually grow?</p><p>We reflect on the<strong> truth that underpins so much of quality early years and child development</strong> - that children don't develop on a fixed timetable. They don’t all crawl in March, walk in April, or read by July! </p><p>What we come back to, time and time again, is this: <strong>respecting the authenticity</strong> of child development, grounded in current science and research, is not just ideal - it's essential.</p><p>In This Episode, You’ll Discover:</p><p>• Your call to action: shift from delivering curriculums to creating the conditions where authentic development can unfold (fabulously flourishing children!)</p><p>• Why the rhythm of a child’s day matters more than rigid schedules and how to honour it in real classrooms</p><p>• What developmental science really tells us about learning timelines – hope you’re not expecting a straight line!</p><p>• How to tune into the feel of the classroom, give great value to 'noticing' and use simple tools for reflection and change</p><p>• Practical ways to resist a one-size-fits-all model and reclaim responsive, respectful, authentic early years practice: yes to being a Teacher, not a 'deliverer!'</p><p>…and why respecting real child development might be the most radical (and research-informed) thing you can do.</p><p>I'm Michelle Hague, founder of HEYD (Early Years School Improvement Specialists) and the Early Years Impact podcast. You can contact me directly: michellehague@heyd.uk, or visit heyd.co.uk. </p><p>I know this episode will inspire you to know more and to connect further with Dr. Alistair Bryce-Clegg, EY consultant, author, trainer and a passionate advocate for play. </p><p>Check out Alistair's website - abcdoes.com head to ‘contact us’ and you will find social media links plus Alistair’s direct email address. What are you waiting for? </p>
September 21, 2025
<p>In this <strong>uplifting episode</strong>, we explore why <strong>music isn’t just a 'nice extra'</strong> in early years - it’s a <strong>neuroscientific powerhouse</strong> that builds the brain, boosts learning and supports development in ways no other activity can.</p><p>Joined by the brilliant <strong>Sue Newman from Boogie Mites</strong>, we dive into how music and movement <strong>light up young children’s brains</strong>, laying the groundwork for language, self-regulation, memory and even maths. You’ll hear how <strong>musical play isn't about perfection</strong> – but, what is it about? Press play to find out :)</p><p>This is your invitation to put music at the heart of your EYFS practice - not as a Friday treat, but as a daily, brain-building essential.</p><p>This episode will leave you dancing away with inspiration, backed by science and full of practical ideas.</p><p>In This Episode, You’ll Discover:</p><p>• How music shapes the developing brain – and why it’s so closely linked to language, memory, motor skills and executive function</p><p>• Why music is more than a 'creative area' – it’s a tool for self-regulation, belonging, emotional regulation and learning across the EYFS curriculum</p><p>• The power of rhythm, repetition and movement – how Boogie Mites programmes use neuroscience-backed techniques to strengthen neural pathways</p><p>• How music supports early literacy and phonological awareness – laying strong foundations for reading before formal instruction even begins</p><p>• Why music is calming for the brain – and how it helps co-regulation for both children and adults</p><p>• How to build musical confidence as a practitioner – even if you don’t see yourself as ‘musical’ </p><p>• Practical ways to embed music across your day, including whether to play background music as children play – or not. </p><p>And that’s just an overview! </p><p>I’m Michelle Hague, founder of HEYD (Early Years School Improvement Specialists) and host of the Early Years Impact podcast.</p><p>I’m Michelle Hague, founder of HEYD (Early Years School Improvement Specialists) and host of the Early Years Impact podcast.</p><p>You can contact me directly: michellehague@heyd.uk</p><p>Visit heyd.co.uk for more on our early years school improvement consultancy offers</p><p>Sponsored by outdoor.classrooms and their SENDCO Nature Initiative, which is proudly supported by HEYD. </p><p>I know this episode will inspire you to connect more with Sue Newman, who you can also find at boogiemites.co.uk: </p><p>After a giving up a business career to look after my children, Sue returned to my childhood love of music and set up Boogie Mites as co-founder with Harriet Thomas in 2007. She is delighted to spend every day leading our passionate team of teachers at Boogie Mites as we share the joy and learning power of music every day. Our mission is to equip early educators and parents with the knowledge, confidence and resources to make active, creative music making part of each and every day.</p><p>Sue still does some teaching, she presents at conferences, write articles, manages business strategy planning, programme compilation, training provision, local authority contracts, team and customer relationships. She has many partners/ collaborators, including Neuromuscial Educator Dr Anita Collins, Dr Kathryn Murray and children’s author Michael Rosen.</p><p>We have a vision of making a real difference to early years education globally through the power of music, starting children on a lifelong love of music, language and literacy, with all the associated wellness and cognitive benefits, wellbeing and health benefits. </p>
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Early Years Impact embraces innovation, insight and impact in early childhood education: whether you’re an educator, parent, policymaker, or just curious about how those early days shape who we become, this is for you.
Michelle brings you the latest research, expert insights and real-life experiences to help you understand how little tweaks to everyday life can have a big impact on children’s earliest years.
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