Your Teacher Village and Friends

Vicki Yadav

Welcome to Your Teacher Village and Friends Podcast, a warm, honest and conversational podcast for primary school practitioners. Hosted by Vicki Yadav, Founder of Your Teacher Village and Assistant Headteacher at an inner London school, this podcast brings together teachers, leaders, specialists and passionate educators from across the sector to share practical ideas, real experiences and authentic conversations about school life. From Early Years to leadership, wellbeing to classroom practice, we’ll be talking about the things that really matter in education: the challenges, the successes, the funny moments, the frustrations and the ideas that help make a difference for children and the adults supporting them. Expect friendly conversations, useful takeaways, relatable stories and a strong sense of community, because teaching is too important to do alone. It takes a village to support a teacher.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Episode 2 - Ready for September in EYFS with Emma Davies

    In this episode, Vicki Yadav is joined by Emma Davies from Is it Time to Play?, to discuss how to prepare for the new academic year in EYFS. Together, they explore the importance of routines, expectations and creating environments that help children feel safe, secure and ready to learn. Takeaways Play-based learningUnderstanding children's developmentTeaching routines and expectations is crucialVisuals and repetition are key for learning routines Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Purpose Session20:22 Teaching Routines and Expectations28:14 Balancing Academic Lessons and Routines34:25 Settling Children in Nursery and Reception Find Vicki at: www.yourteachervillage.co.uk Instagram Facebook TikTok LinkIn Find Emma at: www.isittimetoplay.co.uk Instagram Facebook Join our upcoming workshop - Provision with Purpose: Developing your EYFS Environment for the Year Ahead

    40 min

  2. 2d ago

    Episode 3 - Play is Learning with Ruth Lue-Quee

    Episode: Play is Learning with Ruth Lue-QueeIn this episode of Your Teacher Village and Friends, Vicki Yadav is joined by Ruth Lue-Quee, founder of My Mummy Teacher and creator of the Play is Learning campaign. Ruth shares the story behind building My Mummy Teacher and MMT Play, as well as the passion that led her to campaign for play-based learning and continuous provision to be debated in Parliament. Together, Vicki and Ruth explore the powerful impact of play on children's academic outcomes, wellbeing and social development, and discuss what implementing a play-based approach in Key Stage 1 can look like in practice. They also delve into the characteristics of effective learning, the flexibility within the National Curriculum and why understanding child development is essential when making decisions about teaching and learning. This episode is full of encouragement for educators who want to follow their instincts and advocate for what children truly need. Timestamps00:00 The birth of My Mummy Teacher and MMT Play 06:01 The impact of play-based learning 15:20 Supporting children in play-based learning 25:07 Characteristics of effective learning 32:17 The journey of implementing play-based learning 40:19 Following your heart in education About Ruth Lue-QueeRuth Lue-Quee, also known as My Mummy Teacher, is the founder of MMT Play, an award-winning educational resources brand, and the creator of the Play is Learning campaign. A highly qualified educational consultant, former Deputy Headteacher and mum of two, Ruth is passionate about championing play-based learning and supporting educators, parents and caregivers to provide joyful, developmentally appropriate learning experiences for children. Find VickiWebsite: www.yourteachervillage.co.uk Instagram: @yourteachervillage Facebook: Your Teacher Village TikTok: @yourteachervillage LinkedIn: Vicki Yadav Find RuthWebsite: www.mmt.co.uk Instagram: @mymummyteacher Upcoming WebinarsRethinking KS1 – for Practitioners Rethinking KS1 – for Senior Leaders Hosted by Your Teacher Village KS1 Provision experts Charlotte Bunyan and Karina Kenning, these webinars are designed to support schools that are considering a more play-based, developmentally appropriate approach in Key Stage 1. Packed with practical ideas and examples from experienced leaders, these sessions will leave you feeling inspired and confident about what is possible. .

    42 min

  3. 2d ago

    Episode 1 - Finding Their Voice: Why Oracy Matters with Sarah Hunter

    In this episode of Your Teacher Village and Friends, Vicki Yadav is joined by Sarah Hunter, founder of Oracy Playroom and one of Your Teacher Village's Oracy Experts. Sarah shares her journey into the world of oracy and explains why helping children to become confident communicators is one of the most powerful things we can do as educators. Together, Vicki and Sarah explore how vocabulary, conversation and meaningful interactions shape children's confidence, relationships and learning, and discuss practical ways to create language-rich environments where every child can thrive. They also delve into Sarah's highly acclaimed Talk Toolkit: Developing Oracy Across EYFS and KS1, the role of ambitious vocabulary, and how schools can support quieter children to find their voice. This episode is packed with practical ideas and encouragement for anyone wanting to place communication at the heart of their practice. Timestamps00:00 Welcome to the Your Teacher Village and Friends Podcast 05:23 The benefits of prioritising oracy in schools 11:52 Empowering staff to use ambitious vocabulary 19:09 Introducing and implementing the Talk Toolkit 24:37 Using Makaton and visual supports 27:16 Common misconceptions about oracy 32:24 Advice for teachers and where to start About Sarah HunterSarah Hunter is the founder of Oracy Playroom and an Early Years educator with a passion for helping children become confident, capable communicators. Through her training, resources and consultancy work, she supports schools and practitioners to develop communication and language across EYFS and KS1. Sarah is also the creator of the highly acclaimed Talk Toolkit: Developing Oracy Across EYFS and KS1, which provides practical, realistic strategies to help children find their voice and flourish. Find VickiWebsite: www.yourteachervillage.co.uk Instagram: @yourteachervillage Facebook: @yourteachervillage TikTok: @yourteachervillage LinkedIn: Vicki Yadav Find SarahWebsite: www.oracyplayroom.com Instagram: @oracyplayroom Facebook: Oracy Playroom Featured CourseTalk Toolkit: Developing Oracy Across EYFS and KS1 Created by Sarah Hunter, this highly-rated course is packed with practical strategies to help practitioners develop confident communicators and create language-rich environments. Whether you're working in Nursery, Reception or Key Stage 1, Talk Toolkit provides realistic ideas that can be implemented straight away. This episode is sponsored by Is it Time to Play? Website: www.isittimetoplay.co.uk Instagram: @isittimetoplay Facebook: @isittimetoplay

    30 min

  4. Trailer

    Welcome to the Your Teacher Village and Friends Podcast!

    The Your Teacher Village and Friends podcast is introduced by Vicki Yadav, the founder of Your Teacher Village. The podcast aims to provide a supportive space for primary school practitioners, offering honest conversations, practical ideas, and relatable stories. It emphasizes the importance of community and support in the teaching profession. Takeaways Supporting primary school practitionersCreating a supportive community Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Your Teacher Village and Friends Podcast

    2 min

Trailer

About

Welcome to Your Teacher Village and Friends Podcast, a warm, honest and conversational podcast for primary school practitioners. Hosted by Vicki Yadav, Founder of Your Teacher Village and Assistant Headteacher at an inner London school, this podcast brings together teachers, leaders, specialists and passionate educators from across the sector to share practical ideas, real experiences and authentic conversations about school life. From Early Years to leadership, wellbeing to classroom practice, we’ll be talking about the things that really matter in education: the challenges, the successes, the funny moments, the frustrations and the ideas that help make a difference for children and the adults supporting them. Expect friendly conversations, useful takeaways, relatable stories and a strong sense of community, because teaching is too important to do alone. It takes a village to support a teacher.

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