Atelier Talks

Decibelle Creative

Atelier Talks is a podcast for educators who want to deepen their understanding of outstanding Early Years education. Hosted by the expert team behind the award-winning Atelier Nursery, join Clare, Beth, Lauren and Laura to explore the magic of Atelier, unpacking their real-life Early Years practice rooted in Reggio Emilia, Froebelian principles, and child-led learning. From free-flow and mixed-age provision to creating inspiring learning environments, each episode offers valuable insights to support child development, professional growth, and Early Years practice. Whether you're a nursery practitioner, manager, consultant, or parent curious about progressive Early Years approaches, you'll find inspiration and practical strategies to apply in your own setting. Step inside a truly unique nursery with the most passionate team you'll ever meet - and discover how principles become practice, where children thrive and educators grow. This is the podcast that puts principles into practice and brings research to life, to hit subscribe and come and discover the fine line between chaos and cosmos that defines the outstanding Early Years practice at Atelier Nursery. Atelier Talks is a Decibelle Creative original podcast.

  1. 12/11/2025

    "What If It All Goes Right?" Reflecting On Our Growth In 2025 And Our First Podcast Series

    “We’ve not stopped. We’ve tested our skills, tested our knowledge, and we’ve supported each other through it all." - Beth, Atelier Leadership Team Where has 2025 gone?! In this special end-of-series episode, jpin us as we take a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate everything we’ve built together this year, as a nursery, as a consultancy, and… as podcasters! Joined by our full leadership team (Clare, Beth, Lauren and Laura) we’re taking a look back on a landmark year at Atelier: from the launch of our consultancy and this podcast, to professional awards, Reggio study tours, outstanding OFSTED inspections, and of course the magic of everyday nursery life behind the doors of Atelier. We share what’s moved us, challenged us, and inspired us, from our team CPD days and enrichment experiences, to key pieces of training and research that have helped shape our pedagogy. We hope this episode inspires our fellow educators, leader and early years professionals to make time for your own reflections and we encourage you to take stock of everything you've achieved this year, big or small.  Thankyou for listening and being part of the Atelier Talks community - we can’t wait to be back with you again for Series 2 in the new year. In this episode: The word that sums up our year from each team memberWhat we learned from our team enrichment activities throughout 2025How we kept our Ofsted Outstanding grading (even during a period of transition and staffing challenges!)Reflections on new leadership skills we’ve built on throughout the year, including project management, research roles and public speakingA reminder on why we prioritise slow pedagogy and mindful moments for both children and staffOur full debrief on launching our podcast this year - challenges and wins that have come our way as a result of Atelier TalksWhat to expect from Series 2 and how we hope to include more guests, more connection and more voices from the sector - could that be you…?  Standing on the shoulders of giantsAs always, our reflections are grounded in the influence of the educators and theorists who continue to shape our practice: Loris Malaguzzi – for inspiring our relational practice and environments via Reggio EmiliaFriedrich Froebel – for grounding us in seasonal rhythms and slow pedagogyPeter Elfer & Elinor Goldschmied – for emotionally attuned care and the Key Person approachJools Page – for Professional Love in leadership and educator-child relationshipsMona Sakr – for advocacy and research into the rights of babies and transitionsDr. Chris Pascal – for leadership in early years research and reflectionAaron Bradbury – for championing practitioner voice, play and anti-bias practice Find out more: Website and newsletter: ateliernursery.co.uk Instagram: @ateliernurseryltd Consultancy enquiries: Contact us via our website Together, we’ll unlock the potential for incredible growth and learning. Atelier Talks is a Decibelle Creative original podcast @decibelle_creative / www.decibellecreative.com Keywords: early years podcast UK, atelier talks podcast, early years reflection, slow pedagogy, Froebel training, Reggio Emilia nursery UK, early years...

    59 min

  2. 11/27/2025

    From Italy With Love: Insights And Reflections From Our Reggio Emilia Study Tour

    “You go there to learn about children — but you come back remembering who you are, and why you do what you do.”   Harriet, Early Years Educator at Atelier In this very special episode of Atelier Talks, we’re reflecting on our recent team study trip to Reggio Emilia, Italy: the city that inspires so much of our practice and pedagogy here at Atelier. Clare & Laura are joined by Harriet and Rosie, two of our incredible team members who have walked the cobbled streets of Reggio and returned home enriched by the experience. Together we explore what it feels like to immerse yourself in a global community of educators and return with a renewed sense of energy and inspiration for your early years practice. Whether you’ve visited Reggio yourself, or are simply curious about what it really means to be Reggio-inspired in a UK nursery setting, you’ll finish this episode brimming with ideas. In this episode::What it’s like to step inside the Loris Malaguzzi Centre for the first timeReflections from the infant-toddler centres and what it’s like to observe learning in actionWhy Reggio’s approach is as much about values and culture as it is about methodsReal stories of international connections and cross-cultural dialogue between educatorsWhat intelligent setups and environments that speak really look likeHow our team are already transforming their spaces with the “Reggio lens”What we learned about process over product, and the radical power of respectThe ripple effect of deep learning and why we believe study tours grow entire teams, not just individualsStanding on the shoulders of giants The thinking behind Atelier's pedagogy draws deeply from the Reggio Emilia philosophy and wider foundational theorists. This episode references the work of: Loris Malaguzzi – founder of the Reggio Emilia approach and the concept of the hundred languages of childrenReggio Children & the Loris Malaguzzi Centre – for inspiring our architectural, social, and relational design thinkingThe Reggio Atelieristas – for reimagining creativity, representation and research in early childhood Find out more:Find out more: Website and newsletter: ateliernursery.co.uk Instagram: @ateliernurseryltd Consultancy enquiries: Contact us via our website Together, we’ll unlock the potential for incredible growth and learning. Atelier Talks is a Decibelle Creative original podcast Proudly produced by Decibelle Creative – decibellecreative.com / @decibelle_creative Keywords: Reggio Emilia UK, early years study trip, Reggio Children, Loris Malaguzzi Centre, early years inspiration, international early childhood education, Reggio philosophy, early years leadership, environment as third teacher, hundred languages, process over product, atelierista, reflective practice EYFS, intelligent environments, emotionally intelligent early years, early years consultancy UK

    55 min

  3. 11/13/2025

    From Fees to 'Free' Places: What the Early Years Funding Changes Really Mean for Your Setting

    “Our biggest priority is the children. But we can’t keep showing up for them at the level we want to if the system is this broken.” Clare Crowther - Director, Atelier  “When there’s no consistency from one local authority to another, how are settings supposed to stay compliant?” This is one of the many questions we’re tackling in this episode of Atelier Talks. This episode is essential listening for any Early Years provider navigating the increasingly complex world of fees, funding and “free” entitlement. Joined by sector trailblazers Jo Morris (Play Steps, CNLF, Early Years Voices) and Jen & Rose from Snapdragons Nurseries, we unpack the real implications of recent government funding changes, from April’s updated guidance to the September expansion of entitlements. We talk about transparency, administration overload, and the widening gap between funding rates and the real cost of delivering quality early years education. If you’re a nursery owner, manager or educator trying to protect the quality of your provision while staying financially sustainable, this episode offers clarity (and solidarity!) and perhaps some inspiration from other settings navigating these changes.  In this episode:What changed in April and September, and what’s coming next…Why the “voluntary” charges guidance has made things more confusing How the narrative of “free childcare” is misleading familiesWhat additional services EY settings can charge for and what’s now restrictedHow the changes are affecting family choice, local partnerships, and team moralePractical tips for preparing your invoices, agreements and audit trailWhy providers in multiple LAs are struggling to stay compliant across regionsWhat the clawback risk means for your operations What Early Years Voices is doing to campaign for real change  Find out more:Connect with our guests: Jo Morris / Champagne Nurseries, Lemonade Funding – Facebook group link (CNLF)Early Years Voices – https://earlyyearsvoice.org/Snapdragons Nurseries – https://www.snapdragonsnursery.com/  Connect with Atelier Website and newsletter: ateliernursery.co.uk Instagram: @ateliernurseryltd Consultancy enquiries: Contact us via our website Together, we’ll unlock the potential for incredible growth and learning. Atelier Talks is a Decibelle Creative original podcast Produced by Decibelle Creative – decibellecreative.com / @decibelle_creative Keywords: early years funding 2024, free childcare, 30 hours funding, voluntary charges EYFS, early years admin, EYFS fee structure, funded hours nursery, sustainability nursery funding, early years voices, champagne nurseries lemonade funding, local authority audits EYFS, clawback childcare, early years DfE guidance, provider agreements, nursery compliance UK

    1h 5m

  4. 10/30/2025

    Achieve, Belong, Thrive: Vanessa Dooley Unpacks The New OFSTED Inspection Toolkit

    “Shine. Don’t shy away. This is your setting. You own it.” – Vanessa Dooley, Jigsaw Early Years Consultancy In this special guest episode of Atelier Talks, we’re joined by one of the most trusted names in Early Years consultancy: Vanessa Dooley, founder of Jigsaw Early Years and the voice behind the Get Inspection Ready podcast. Together, we unpack the brand-new OFSTED Early Years Inspection Toolkit, which comes into effect from November 10th, and what it really means for Early Years settings. This is a must-listen for any setting leader, manager or educator feeling overwhelmed by the changes. From principle one ("Achieve, Belong, Thrive") to the new seven evaluation areas, we cover what’s changing, what to keep doing, and how to prepare your team for inspection under these new changes. In this episode: Why “Achieve, Belong, Thrive” should underpin your curriculum and nursery culture.A breakdown of the seven new evaluation areas and what they mean in practiceWhat the new four-year inspection cycle and two-part call system means for your teamWhy the learning walk is being replaced, and how to prepare staff for ongoing dialogue insteadHow to speak confidently about your provision (without relying on a script!)How to keep self-evaluation alive in your daily practiceTips for reducing inspection anxietyWhy inclusivity must be interwoven throughout everything you do (not treated as simply a box to tick)Real tools and advice from Vanessa’s new book, toolkit, and Impact platformHow we’re preparing at Atelier  Standing on the shoulders of giantsThe magic of Atelier draws on foundational thinking from a range of influential Early Years theorists, consultants and thought leaders. Those mentioned in today’s episode include: Peter Elfer – for responsive leadership and the Key Person approachElinor Goldschmied – for emotional attunement and care routinesJools Page – for Professional Love in both child and team relationshipsJohn Bowlby – for attachment theory and secure relational practiceDriscoll’s Model – for reflection using the “What, So What, Now What?” approach Find out more:Vanessa’s new book and toolkit – coming soonGet Inspection Ready podcast – on Spotify or wherever you get your podcastsGet Inspection Ready Webinar – November 3rd @ 19:00 Impact platform – audit and reflection tool for EYFS providers And from us at Atelier:Website and newsletter: ateliernursery.co.uk Instagram: @ateliernurseryltd Consultancy enquiries: Contact us via our website Together, we’ll unlock the potential for incredible growth and learning. Atelier Talks is a Decibelle Creative original podcast Produced by Decibelle Creative – decibellecreative.com / a href="https://www.instagram.com/decibelle_creative/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    56 min

  5. 10/16/2025

    How To Grow Your Nursery Team into Leaders: Collaboration Over Hierarchy

    “If somebody wants to step into leadership, they need to have opportunities to lead, and they need to know we’ll be there to catch them if they wobble.” Clare Crowther, Director This episode explores why collaboration, not hierarchy, builds sustainable teams in Early Years settings. Continuing on from where we left off in episode 12, we’re going even deeper into Early Years leadership, moving beyond titles and job roles and exploring what it really means to grow leadership from the ground up. From coaching your Early Years team day-to-day to developing new leaders in post, we’re sharing what works, what’s challenging, and how we support our staff to thrive. We talk openly about succession planning, the emotional side of saying goodbye to talented team members, and how we create a culture where leadership is distributed, and everyone feels empowered to make a difference, no matter their role. This is a must listen episode for anyone leading a setting, growing a team, or stepping into leadership themselves. In this episode: How we develop future leaders through real responsibility and supported risk-takingWhy succession planning starts with coaching, mentoring and high expectationsWhat “stretching the elastic” means when developing staffThe importance of distributive leadership and mini leadership roles across the teamHow we structure roles like planning champions, environment leads and room repsHow to hold challenging conversations with professionalism and careHow we build leadership into our supervisions, CPD, appraisals and team cultureWhat “tribing” means at Atelier, and how it supports team belonging, loyalty and retentionReal stories of apprentices who’ve grown into Atelier leaders Find out more:Website and newsletter: ateliernursery.co.uk Instagram: @ateliernurseryltd Consultancy enquiries: Contact us via our website Together, we’ll unlock the potential for incredible growth and learning. Atelier Talks is a Decibelle Creative original podcast Produced by Decibelle Creative – decibellecreative.com / @decibelle_creative Keywords: early years leadership, growing leaders in EYFS, early years succession planning, coaching nursery teams, CPD in early years, early years supervisions, nursery staff development, stretch the elastic, Reggio-inspired leadership, planning champions EYFS, key person culture, staff retention nursery, emotionally intelligent leadership, building team culture, Johari window early years, confronto, trust in early years teams

    1h 5m

  6. 10/02/2025

    Be the Leader You’d Want To Be Led By: Award Winning Early Years Leadership

    “We want our team to have their voices heard, but we also need to have that strategic direction that we’re moving in.” – Clare Crowther, Atelier Nursery Director In this episode we’re unpacking the kind of leadership that underpins everything we do at Atelier, both in our nurseries and through our consultancy. We’re not about traditional hierarchy, job titles or top-down management - our approach is about creating a culture where everyone leads with clarity, empathy, and purpose. We explore the realities of what it means to be an emotionally intelligent, collaborative leader in Early Years, and how in your own Early Years setting you can build a team culture that holds challenge and kindness, strategy and vision, structure and flexibility.  In this episode, we share:Why we lead with kindness, collaboration and curiosity (not control)What it means to build a “heterarchy” over a hierarchy in nursery leadershipHow we coach our team using reflective practice Real leadership development stories from inside AtelierWhy vision setting and relationship building must go hand-in-handHow we support our team through supervisions, appraisals and “walk and talk” feedbackStrategies for growing new leaders from within your teamThe role of distributive leadership and collective accountability in our day-to-day practice Standing on the shoulders of giantsThe magic of Atelier draws on foundational thinking from a range of influential Early Years theorists and educators. If you’d like to find out more about the voices that shape our deeply relational, child-centred practice here at Atelier, those mentioned in today’s episode are as follows: Peter Elfer – for the Key Person approach and emotionally attuned leadershipElinor Goldschmied – for her emphasis on sensitive care, intimacy and connectionJools Page – for the concept of Professional Love and how it extends to staff relationshipsReggio Children – for influencing our approach to coaching, vision setting and collaborative dialogueLencioni & Covey – for leadership thinking that inspires clarity, trust and accountabilitySonia Jackson – for her work on professionalising Early Years leadershipJohn Bowlby – for his attachment theory, which informs how we lead through relational trust Find out more:Website and newsletter: ateliernursery.co.uk Instagram: @ateliernurseryltd Consultancy enquiries: Contact us via our website Together, we’ll unlock the potential for incredible growth and learning. Atelier Talks is a Decibelle Creative original podcast Produced by Decibelle Creative – decibellecreative.com / @decibelle_creative Keywords: early years leadership, nursery manager support, coaching early years teams, heterarchy vs hierarchy, early years supervision, nursery appraisals, reflective leadership, key person approach, team culture in nursery, vision-led leadership, EYFS consultancy, emotionally intelligent leadership, leading from the floor, growing nursery leaders

    44 min

  7. 09/11/2025

    Seeing Babies as Confident Capable Learners: How To Champion The Youngest Children In Your Nursery

    “They amaze me every single day… They set themselves challenges, find solutions, and they are these mini scientists roving around our environment.” – Laura, Nursery Manager In this episode of Atelier Talks, we’re showing you what life at Atelier looks like through the eyes of our youngest children, our babies. As more children enter nursery at an earlier age and for longer hours, it's more important than ever that as nursery leaders and educators we create truly thoughtful, respectful and responsive environments for babies to thrive. From baby brain development and physical environments to rich interactions and the role of the key person, we explore how to support confident, capable learning right from the start. You’ll hear real examples of daily practice, challenges we’ve navigated, and the non-negotiables that make our baby provision at Atelier second to none. In this episode:Why babies are not passive observers and how to recognise them as researchersThe science behind baby brain development Designing calming, stimulating, responsive baby environments (without overstimulation!)What heuristic play and treasure baskets look like in a mixed-age settingHow to build slow, nurturing routines that honour each child’s needs and rhythmThe role of the key person in building deep trust and emotional safety for babiesHow to support your team to value and advocate for babies as communicators and learnersWhy “just sit and love your baby” is not only okay, it’s essential Standing on the shoulders of giantsThe magic of Atelier draws on foundational thinking from a range of influential Early Years theorists and educators. If you’d like to find out more about the voices that shape our deeply relational, child-centred practice here at Atelier, those mentioned in today’s episode are as follows: Elinor Goldschmied – for her work on treasure baskets, heuristic play and “islands of intimacy”Peter Elfer – for the Key Person approach and emotionally responsive careJools Page – for the concept of Professional Love and her research into emotional attachmentJohn Bowlby – for foundational attachment theory that supports our relational approachAnne Langston & Lesley Abbott – for raising the status of baby practitioners and promoting child rightsLoris Malaguzzi & Reggio Children – for inspiring our view of babies as capable learners and researchersSonia Jackson – for advocating for children’s rights in Early Years care and education Find out more:Website and newsletter: ateliernursery.co.uk Instagram: @ateliernurseryltd Consultancy enquiries: Contact us via our website Together, we’ll unlock the potential for incredible growth and learning. Atelier Talks is a Decibelle Creative original podcast decibellecreative.com / @decibelle_creative Keywords: babies in nursery, early years baby provision, key person approach, heuristic play, treasure baskets, attachment in babies, professional love, baby room design, first 1001 days, baby brain development, slowing down in EYFS, respectful caregiving, early years consultant UK, Reggio for babies

    45 min

  8. 09/04/2025

    Simple September: Creating Stability for New and Returning Families at Nursery

    “Put your big girl pants on. Be brave. Love your team. Support them. Enjoy your new families and build your community.” – Laura, Nursery Manager What dowe mean by ‘Simple September’ at Atelier? In this episode we’re discussing one of the busiest (and most important) times of the Early Years calendar: September. Whether you're welcoming new babies, supporting toddlers through transition, or helping your older children take the next step, this episode is a full walkthrough of how we at Atelier prepare our team, environment and systems for a smooth and emotionally intelligent start to the academic year. From operations and environment to staff wellbeing and communication, we’re sharing what Simple September really means in practice, and how slowing down, staying consistent and leading with empathy is the way to go when welcoming a new cohort of children and families into your nursery. In this episode:What “Simple September” means and how it supports children, staff and families alikeHow we maintain consistency in environment, rhythm and routines (and why)Managing key person attachments, transitions and new children with careHow we support new leaders and deputies during their first SeptemberWhat we intentionally don’t do in September (and why that matters)Family communication tipsThe power of Reflect & Connect sessions and ‘10-minute talks’Real examples of small changes that improve flow, reduce stress and build connection Find out more:Website and newsletter: ateliernursery.co.uk Instagram: @ateliernurseryltd Consultancy enquiries: Contact us via our website Together, we’ll unlock the potential for incredible growth and learning. Atelier Talks is a Decibelle Creative original podcast Produced by Decibelle Creative – decibellecreative.com / @decibelle_creative Keywords: nursery start of term, September in EYFS, key person approach, Early Years transitions, simple September nursery, new cohort planning, mixed-age nursery, predictable environment, attachment in early years, managing change, early years leadership, Reflect and Connect, family communication nursery, Reggio-inspired settling

    41 min
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About

Atelier Talks is a podcast for educators who want to deepen their understanding of outstanding Early Years education. Hosted by the expert team behind the award-winning Atelier Nursery, join Clare, Beth, Lauren and Laura to explore the magic of Atelier, unpacking their real-life Early Years practice rooted in Reggio Emilia, Froebelian principles, and child-led learning. From free-flow and mixed-age provision to creating inspiring learning environments, each episode offers valuable insights to support child development, professional growth, and Early Years practice. Whether you're a nursery practitioner, manager, consultant, or parent curious about progressive Early Years approaches, you'll find inspiration and practical strategies to apply in your own setting. Step inside a truly unique nursery with the most passionate team you'll ever meet - and discover how principles become practice, where children thrive and educators grow. This is the podcast that puts principles into practice and brings research to life, to hit subscribe and come and discover the fine line between chaos and cosmos that defines the outstanding Early Years practice at Atelier Nursery. Atelier Talks is a Decibelle Creative original podcast.

Information

  • Creator
    Decibelle Creative
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Decibelle Creative
  • Show Website
    Atelier Talks