Welcome to Early Years Insights!
Discover insights, inspiration, and invaluable advice directly from the experts in early years education with the Eden Training Solutions podcast. Tune in to transform your understanding and practices in the early years sector.
New Episode Every Month!
Eden Podcast player:
Choose from our episodes below to listen online.

Introduction :
Welcome to “Early Years Insights,” a podcast hosted by Kathy Leatherbarrow from Eden Training Solutions. In this podcast, Kathy explores various topics related to early years education and apprenticeships. Through insightful interviews with guests from diverse industries, the show aims to provide valuable insights and perspectives on the early years sector.
About the Host:
Kathy Leatherbarrow is a seasoned professional in the field of early years education and apprenticeships. With her extensive experience and expertise, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the podcast. Kathy’s passion for empowering individuals in the early years sector is evident in her engaging discussions and thought-provoking conversations with industry experts.
Podcast Format:
“Early Years Insights” features in-depth discussions on a wide range of topics relevant to early years education and apprenticeships. Each episode delves into key topics, trends, and best practices within the industry. The format includes engaging interviews with professionals, educators, and leaders who share their valuable insights and experiences.
Key Topics:
The podcast covers a diverse array of topics, including but not limited to:
- Early childhood development
- Educational philosophies and approaches
- Apprenticeship programs in the early years sector
- Innovative teaching methods
- Regulatory updates and compliance
- Career pathways and professional development opportunities
Guest Interviews:
Kathy Leatherbarrow invites esteemed guests from various related industries to share their expertise on the podcast. These guests include influential figures, educators, policymakers, and professionals who offer unique perspectives and valuable insights into the early years sector.
Audience Engagement:
Listeners are encouraged to actively engage with the podcast by sharing their thoughts, questions, and feedback. The show fosters a sense of community among early years professionals, educators, students, and anyone passionate about early childhood education. Please visit www.eden-ts.com to find out more!
Conclusion:
“Early Years Insights” is a must-listen podcast for anyone involved or interested in the early years sector. With its informative content, engaging interviews, and thought-provoking discussions, the show serves as a valuable resource for staying updated on key developments within early years education and apprenticeships.
Watch the video version on YouTube!.
https://youtu.be/Sr6PpWLEBHc .
The Campaign for Gigi & A Culture of Safety
Welcome back to a brand-new season of Early Years Insights. To launch this next chapter, we begin by hosting an incredibly important and deeply meaningful conversation about Gigi’s Campaign.
Kathy Leatherbarrow sits down with Katie Meehan, the mother behind The Campaign forGigi. Following the tragic, preventable loss of her daughter Genevieve, Katie has turned immense grief into a powerful movement for national legislative reform. This episode honours Gigi’s memory and outlines the non-negotiable steps needed to build a true culture of safety across the UK early years sector.
Key Discussion Points:
- Remembering Genevieve: Katie shares fond memories of Gigi’s bright personality, her raucous laugh, and her deep bond with her older sister.
- Statutory Requirements vs. Guidance: Why converting safe sleep guidelines into strict statutory law ensures mandatory compliance for infants under one.
- Reforming Inspections: A professional look at lowering the four-to-six-year Ofsted cycle and rolling out 3,000 unannounced safeguarding visits.
- The Power of CCTV: Why granting inspectors routine access to nursery footage serves as an unfiltered, vital asset to protect children and staff.
- Standardised Training: Why settings cannot rely on whistleblowing alone, and how national training removes ambiguity in safe sleep practices.
Guest:
Katie Meehan – Founder of The Campaign for Gigi.
Host:
Kathy Leatherbarrow – Early Years Consultant at Eden Training Solutions.
Connect With Us:
Protecting our most vulnerable children is our highest priority. Share your feedback on our season premiere at www.eden-ts.com.
#EarlyYearsInsights #GigisCampaign #ChildSafety #OfstedInspections #SaferSleep #EYFSWelfare #EdenTrainingSolutions

Get insight from Industry Experts:
Tune in to transform your understanding and practices in the early years sector.
Meet the host Kathy Leatherbarrow:
Kathy Leatherbarrow
Early Years Consultant and former Ofsted Inspector
Kathy Leatherbarrow is a seasoned professional in the field of early years education and apprenticeships. With her extensive experience and expertise, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the podcast. Kathy’s passion for empowering individuals in the early years sector is evident in her engaging discussions and thought-provoking conversations with industry experts.
“Early Years Insights” features in-depth discussions on a wide range of topics relevant to early years education and apprenticeships. Each episode delves into key topics, trends, and best practices within the industry. The format includes engaging interviews with professionals, educators, and leaders who share their valuable insights and experiences.