Froebel Trust Podcast

About Froebel Trust Podcast

Inspiring conversations about early learning. The Froebel Trust podcast is for you if you've ever wondered what a Froebelian approach to early education is all about - and want to know what it looks like in action. Get in touch and find out more at www.froebel.org.uk

Publisher

Froebel Trust

Category

education · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 Feb 2023

Latest episode

15 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

23 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Sept 2026

   Episode 23: Equality, diversity and inclusion in early years settings

   To celebrate the launch of the book, Froebel in Social Justice by Rachna Joshi, this podcast episode explores equality, equity, diversity and inclusion in modern-day early years practice. Presenter Colin Kelly is joined by Froebelian educators to discuss the importance of supporting every child equally, developing a practice that is inclusive of all children and how a Froebelian approach can support this. Hear from Rachna Joshi, early childhood teacher, action researcher, consultant and author of the new book, Froebel and Social Justice, alongside Froebel Trust Courses Director Dr Stella Louis and Froebel Trust Travelling Tutor, Professor Carole Bloch. Together, the panel explore how Froebel himself laid the foundations of inclusivity through his approach and principles, how external factors shape views that can prevent equality and what educators can do to create an inclusive setting that enables all children to have rich, nurturing and nourishing experiences. "He [Froebel] says exactly, "Don't allow the matter of childhood to become a tool for political parties." And I think that's a really powerful quote because it [...] shows what he was fighting for and shows that he was really advocating for children." Rachna Joshi "Inclusion is a process rather than one thing. When I think of EDI and I think of Froebel, he has this one quote that says, "Every child should be treated as an indispensable member of the human race." Which means that children should be seen as whole, active members of their families." Dr Stella Louis "I think it really is about finding ways to see the humanity in the other person. It's about the relationships that we can build with other people so that we can start to see the commonalities as well as the uniquenesses." Professor Carole Bloch Froebel and Social Justice is the first in a series of short form books for educators which the Froebel Trust have launched in partnership with Bloomsbury Academic. (https://www.froebel.org.uk/news/froebel-in-practice-a-new-series-by-froebel-trust-and-bloomsbury) It is available to read for free online via Bloomsbury Collections (https://bit.ly/46JUiKF) or to buy as a printed edition from 17th September. Froebel Trust Podcast listeners can receive a discount on the printed edition using the code FROEBELTRUST20. Order yours at Bloomsbury.com (https://bit.ly/4ivUW5w). Visit the Froebel Trust website for a list of recommended resources referenced throughout the episode.

2. 

   15 Jul 2026

   Episode 22: Let's talk birth to three

   To celebrate the launch of the Trust's new resources for educators, Research Insights: Birth to Three, in this episode we're talking all things babies and toddlers. Presenter Colin Kelly is joined by four experts to discuss the importance of listening to and developing our practice with children aged from birth to three. Hear from Dr Zeny Melissourgaki, Clinical Psychologist and author of Research Insights: Birth to Three, alongside researchers and educators involved in Froebel Trust funded research projects with babies and toddlers. Together, the panel explore why the period from birth to 36 months is so crucial to a baby's development and the influence educators of this age group can have, as well as well as plenty of tips and insights from the panel which can be used in practice. "Birth to three is […] a very critical period in our development, and by that, I mean cognitive development, social, emotional, and physical development, and in fact a lot of what happens in these first three years provides the foundation and all the building blocks for who we become later in life." Dr Zeny Melissourgaki "The value of reflection and reflexivity can't be underestimated. It doesn't cost anything to be more analytical about practice, and I think that to care and educate the youngest child well requires knowledge, and leaders can nurture those kinds of conditions." Dr Maria Cooper "Just like [Froebel's principles] were relevant when he was alive and he was writing, just like they were relevant 20 years ago, they're still relevant today in terms of what babies need and very young children need can be underpinned by those principles." Polly Bolshaw "If we are using Froebelian approaches, then while we're interacting with children during those care routines, we'll be remembering the importance of relationships. We'll be talking to them, using those opportunities to talk and engage with them, to have shared moments of interaction with them, mirroring the things that they're doing. All of this supports those relationships and makes the most of those moments" Annamaria Bevan Guests: Dr Zeny Melissourgaki, Polly Bolshaw, Maria Cooper, Annamaria Bevan

3. 

   8 Jul 2026

   Episode 21: Relationships Matter in the Early Years

   In this special episode of the Froebel Trust podcast, presenter Colin Kelly looks back at the insights Froebel Trust podcast guests have shared on relationships and why they matter so much in the early years. Reflecting over the catalogue of 20 episodes, we explore what our guests have said about how educators can support young children as they learn about relationships and communication. Hear about the importance of early relationships and the role of the educator, nurturing relationships and the key person approach, how educator and child wellbeing are interdependent, the role of relationships in supporting children's emotional wellbeing and future self, positive role models and connections between educators, families and carers. Guests featured in this episode are Dr Caroline Guard, Dr Julia Manning-Morton, Dr Peter Elfer, Dr Robyn Dolby, Holli Williams, Pete Moorhouse, Matt Langton, Dr Karen Vincent and Rachna Joshi. If you want to know more about what a guest says, you can find the full episode in our back-catalogue at Froebel.org.uk. You can also find the biography for each of the guests featured. To view a video showing a Froebelian approach to developing relationships in action, visit our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTOuLyPjCZ8).

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.3 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

9 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

48

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

68

Contact Froebel Trust Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.