POD-CACHE

S5E03 - Jawad Bhatti ’sparks’ a mental health conversation

00:00 Welcome to CACHE Alumni - What can you expect in this episode of POD-CACHE?
00:40 Jawad Bhatti introduction - Who is Jawad and what is the Spark story?
03:40 The impact of the pandemic on loneliness, routine and mental health
05:30 Mental Health support online and through talking to others
07:23 Mental Health in the workplace - Jawad's experiences at work
10:20 Why do people drop out of mental health support? 
12:10 How does Spark measure the improvements in mental health in the workplace? 
13:15 What tools are helpful for mental health understanding and support?
15:00 What is the Spark app now? Tools for individuals and organisations
19:30 What's in a name? - Spark is a 'little click' that helps us change things
21:20 POD-CACHE Ad break
21:32 Building good habits - How a journal can help us to understand ourselves and make lasting changes
24:00 Your journal as a record - reflecting on our progress and remembering better days
26:42 Sparking ideas - Journalling prompts, blank pages and the benefits of guided journals
30:17 Changing lanes - Jawad talks about changing careers, sectors and becoming a member of CACHE Alumni from a background in data science
33:41 Mental Health First Aid - the challenges of following up on mental health support as an organisation
35:00 Providing support with mental health before there's a problem 
38:10 Knowing which interventions make the most impact to facilitate organisational change around mental and emotional health
39:25 Journalling as a tool to support groups who might not traditionally engage with mental health support
43:49 Finding help in crisis or if you're feeling low 
44:00 Signposting and invite to Spark
45:40 Thanks for listening - cachealumni.org.uk
 
Jawad Bhatti is a senior data professional on a personal mission to help improve mental health and has launched an app to support organisations to reduce presenteeism & absenteeism and improve health & wellbeing through data-driven insights
After launching a Facebook group to support easier mental health discussions, Jawad started a YouTube channel to help get men to talk about their mental health and launched an interactive mobile journalling tool called Spark. 
How to download the app - https://sparkyourhealth.co.uk/#download
Spark's LinkedIn page - https://www.linkedin.com/company/sparkyourhealth/Spark's Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/sparkyourmentalhealth/Spark's X page - https://twitter.com/sparkyour_mh
Listen as Jawad talks to Dawn about reflection, journalling and using data to drive change.  If you can, join us for our Reflect and Recharge event on 30 November 2023, where Annie Pendrey will be supporting us to start our own reflective journals as part of our amazing line-up of speakers. 
Until next time, take care! 

S5E02 - Annie Pendrey talks about the power of reflection in Early Years and Education

00:00 Welcome to POD-CACHE, the portable professional development podcast from CACHE Alumni 
00:23 Coming up in this episode - thinking outside of the box with Annie Pendrey
00:43 Annie's career so far.  From Early Years Teaching Assistant to training, writing and research
02:43 Creativity and changing careers - How Annie found her path
03:50 Three books in two years - Reflection and reflective spaces in Early Years Education
07:46 What makes reflection important to Annie? The power of reflection in supporting engagement and attainment. Reflection helps us to be better and feel better. 
09:13 We all have different gifts and experiences.  How to improve, develop and progress. 
10:01 Japanese philosophy - Learning to celebrate your perfectly imperfect self, slow down and understand your reason for being. 
11:24 Standards, values and actions - Understanding what we need to succeed outside of set metrics. 
12:55 Get started with reflective practice;  How to make time to listen to yourself. 
15:56 How to start your own reflective journal and overall journey
19:00 It might not be words - you might want to draw something.  How talking to yourself can help you to be your own coach and stop you from feeling stuck. 
20:08 CACHE-Back promotion
20:25 Building the habit of reflection - Observations and reflections aren't always the same thing.  How not to lose yourself in other people's feedback. 
23:48 Starting again with reflective practices after negative experiences.  Owning your own journey and understanding your gifts. 
26:40 Overcoming fear and asking for feedback from others.  The value of other people's insight and opinions of your work.
30:33 Continual feedback - gratitude and building a culture of feedback and reflection
32:00 There is no 'just' in Early Years - Owning your own power and accepting compliments and positive feedback
35:00 Finding spaces that children can really be part of.  The need for research in Early Years roles. 
36:21 Prompts and support for journaling and ongoing reflection
37:00 Thanks for listening
 
Annie Pendrey started her career as an NNEB working across Early Years and the Primary sector before becoming a lecturer and Professional Development Manager. Today, Annie is freelance, an External Examiner for Open University, an author and on her way to becoming Doctor Pendrey.
Annie has written several academic journals, has publications within books and writes regularly for educational columns alongside her own book publications which include, The Little Book of Reflective Practice and Reflection and Reflective Spaces in the Early Years.
Annie has created her own online platform and hashtag #Reflect Connect, a weekly space over on Twitter where you can connect with others in a quiet reflective thread.
Listen as Annie talks to Dawn about reflection, self-confidence and reflective spaces in the Early Years and, if you can, join us for our Reflect and Recharge event on 30 November 2023, where Annie will be supporting us to start our own reflective journals as part of our amazing line-up of speakers. 
Until next time, take care! 
 

S5E01 - STEM learning with ’Tiny Sparks’ early years sessions

POD-CACHE is back with a new season! In our debut episode, we chat with Amy Baird from the Discovery Museum in Newcastle. Amy tells us about her early years sessions called 'Tiny Sparks', organised for families with 3-5 year old children, which are themed around STEM subjects. We explore how connecting museum objects from diverse collections with stories and interactive play can aid children in learning and developing both their fine and gross motor skills. Amy also walks us through her plans for future sessions and her goal towards making them more accessible, working together with a number of community partners. 
Want to skip ahead?
(0:00-1:42) Introduction to Amy from the Discovery Museum, Newcastle
(1:42-3:50) Planning for varied groups and formal/informal sessions 
(3:50-5:45) What is the Discovery Museum?
(5:45-8:20) Museums as a place of learning
(8:20-9:52) Early years sessions - Tiny Sparks
(9:52-13:55) Maximising learning in a 1 hour session 
(13:55-18:27) Engaging returning families and accessible sessions
(18:27-18:40) Break
(18:40-20:37) Choosing session topics & skill development
(20:37-23:30) Amy's journey into her role
(23:30-24:55) Development between collections at the museum
(24:55-26:00) Learning through play
(26:00-27:30) STEM's importance in the sessions
(27:30-29:43) Planning for the next academic year
(29:43-33:04) Following children's transitions between different life chapters
(33:04-35:24) How nursery/school groups can get involved
(35:24-36:33) Final notes and goodbye
 
Links:
Discovery Museum: https://discoverymuseum.org.uk/ 
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This episode was brought to you by CACHE Alumni, a free, award-winning membership platform for practitioners from across care, health and early years education. By signing up with us, you gain access to various CPD resources, including our member magazine Aluminate, latest news from the sector, careers advice, a range of special offers and discounts and more. 
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You can find our podcast on other platforms, including PodBean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and more. 

S4E10 - Education as a catalyst for change with Andreas Kalli

As we conclude season 4, we bring you an incredible story which showcases the power of education and mentorship. Join us as Janet King assumes the role of interviewer to speak with Andreas Kalli, who shares his journey from substance addiction to completing a Psychology degree with a first class honours. We also find out how having a mentor supported Andreas through this process, and learn how his lived experiences are helping him make a difference for others in challenging circumstances. 
Want to skip ahead?
(0:00-3:00) Introduction to Andreas 
(3:00-3:59) Starting university
(3:59-5:43) Starting from scratch. You don't know what you don't know.
(5:43-7:37) Getting a mentor to support with work
(7:37-9:10) Expanding mentorship to personal life - how personal issues impact work
(9:10-11:27) Learning from feedback and working as a team
(11:27-12:28) Becoming a mentor
(12:28-13:55) A new sense of self-worth - putting skills into practice
(13:55-14:07) POD-CACHE Ad break
(14:07-15:40) Using lived experiences to make a difference
(15:40-18:08) Combining learning with lived experience
(18:08-19:57) The wider impact of working with people who need support
(19:57-21:25) What’s next – applying learning and mentorship to the future
(21:25-21:45) POD-CACHE, CACHE Alumni and close
 
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This episode was brought to you by CACHE Alumni, a free, award-winning membership platform for practitioners from across care, health and early years education. By signing up with us, you gain access to various CPD resources, including our member magazine Aluminate, latest news from the sector, careers advice, a range of special offers and discounts and more. 
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You can find our podcast on numerous different platforms, including PodBean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, YouTube, and more. 
 

S4E09 - Strength-based leadership in early years with Lucy Lewin

In this week's episode, we welcome back Lucy Lewin, Founder of 85-Place Day Nursery and The Profitable Nursery Academy. Lucy shares with us the value of adopting a strength-based approach in early years settings and embracing one's natural abilities. We also discuss the importance of fostering a work culture of psychological safety, open communication and one that encourages a collaborative mindset, seeking solutions together. Lucy highlights how leaders and managers can effectively engage with their staff, celebrating the uniqueness of each individual, as well as how they can build trust and partnership with the children's families. 
 
Want to skip ahead?
(0:00-2:50) Introduction to Lucy and a strength-based approach
(2:50-7:05) How to facilitate a strength-based approach in your setting
(7:05-15:40) How to encourage staff to open up about what makes them uncomfortable
(15:40-20:10) How to work with people who don't yet understand how you work 
(20:10-25:33) Finding courage to be direct as a leader during performance feedback
(25:33-28:00) Transitioning into a leader that isn't afraid of difficult discussions and the importance of journalling
(28:00-28:13) Ad break 
(28:13-32:10) Being open, honest and vulnerable, without sharing the burden of leadership
(32:10-37:00) Being honest with children's families and the importance of partnerships
(37:07-39:26) Seeing behind the filtered/perfect versions of people's work and success
(39:26-42:42) How Lucy keeps herself motivated through all the challenges
(42:42-45:50) Adapting your leadership in recognition that everyone's unique
(45:50-48:40) Striving for 50% of your day to be made up of the tasks you love & ensuring the right people are doing the right job
(48:40-50:03) Lucy's book on empowering yourself to lead through the lens of strengths 
(50:03-50:59) Final notes and goodbye
 
Links
Lucy's previous POD-CACHE episode: https://podcache.podbean.com/e/s3e04/ 
The Profitable Nursery Academy: https://theprofitablenurseryacademy.com/ 
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This episode was brought to you by CACHE Alumni, a free, award-winning membership platform for practitioners from across care, health and early years education. By signing up with us, you gain access to various CPD resources, including our member magazine Aluminate, latest news from the sector, careers advice, a range of special offers and discounts and more. 
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You can find our podcast on numerous different platforms, including PodBean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, YouTube, and more. 
 

S4E08 - Jake Forecast shares his journey from Learner to Nursery Manager

In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome back Jake Forecast for a third time, as he provides us with an exciting update on his career journey from student teacher to now nursery manager. Throughout our conversation, Jake highlights the significance of continuous learning and shares how he balances learning alongside work. Moreover, we touch upon reflection and seeing the bigger picture in your work, as well as the importance of coaching and mentorship. We also cover Jake's transition back to early years and how the sector's collaboration and team work makes it such a special environment to work in.
To check out Jake's full journey starting from his first episode, you can listen to episode 1 here and episode 2 here. 
 
Want to skip ahead?
(0:00-1:43) Introduction to Jake and his career journey
(1:43-3:15) Starting a new job in nursery management
(3:15-5:15) Preparing for the change in role with a supported transition
(5:15-7:52) Never stop learning - keeping your enthusiasm for education as a busy educator
(7:52-11:39) Tips for reflection - avoiding negativity
(11:39-14:15) Gap assessments, mentoring and coaching - tools for self understanding
(14:15-14:36) CACHE Alumni signposting
(14:36-17:41) Coming home - moving back to Early Years from Primary Education
(17:41-20:35) Collaboration and instant support - well-being in nursery teams
(20:35-23:24) Passion, determination and the things that drive success in Early Years
(23:24-27:57) Making the most of team skills and interests for progression planning
(27:57-30:00) The importance of community and working collaboratively
(30:00-32:19) Jake's career journey so far...
(32:19-33:42) What a difference a few years makes - listen to Jake's previous POD-CACHE interviews to see his progress from Level 3 to where he is now. 
(33:42-34:54) Thank you to Jake, last words of wisdom and signposting
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Links:
First episode with Jake:
https://podcache.podbean.com/e/dawn-interviews-jake-forecast-student-teacher-and-nursery-nurse/ 
Second episode with Jake:
https://podcache.podbean.com/e/s3e08/ 
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This episode was brought to you by CACHE Alumni, a free, award-winning membership platform for practitioners from across care, health and early years education. By signing up with us, you gain access to various CPD resources, including our member magazine Aluminate, latest news from the sector, careers advice, a range of special offers and discounts and more. 
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You can find our podcast on numerous different platforms, including PodBean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, YouTube, and more. 
 

S4E07 - Achieving your career goals with Skillzminer

Join us on this week's episode as we meet with Dan Bartley from Skillzminer, an innovative AI tool transforming the job market. We explore how Skillzminer objectively assesses skills, bridges skill gaps, and streamlines recruitment for both job seekers and employers. We also delve into the changing landscape of careers, the importance of succession planning and skills-based systems, and the shift from passive to active recruitment. You'll also hear how AI recruitment can increase confidence and help employers find the best candidates based on skills rather than application prowess.
 
(0:00-2:05) Introduction to Dan and Skillzminer 
(2:05-4:22) How Skillzminer helps job seekers and employers
(4:22-8:06) Being objective about your own skills
(8:06-10:15) Understanding what your skills mean to an employer
(10:15-14:08) Skillzminer for employers and how AI recruitment can help reduce skills gaps
(14:08-16:04) The evolution of careers, 'job hopping' and how we find work
(16:04-19:05) Succession planning, progression plans and retaining talent through skills-based systems
(19:05-21:47) Passive recruitment no longer works.  Making it easy to identify the skills that you need at work and for your workforce
(21:47-24:17) Shifting the sifting.  Reducing the time burden at shortlisting
(24:17-27:53) Increasing confidence through automated skills identification and improving application quality
(27:53-31:37) Accessing the hidden workforce and attracting economically inactive talent 
(31:37-32:00) Skillzminer on CACHE Alumni advertising break
(32:00-34:20) Finding the best person for the job, not the best person at applying 
(34:20-38:02) Objective links and overcoming impostor syndrome.  Can it reduce inequality?
(38:02-41:02) The most engaged people in your workforce aren't looking to change jobs 
(41:02-42:00) Personal development planning to find CPD that works
(42:00-44:05) Widening the search without increasing the resource burden
(44:05-45:05) Get involved.  How you can use AI recruitment to find your next job, opportunity or star employee
(45:05-45:31) Goodbye and thank you
Don't forget to listen to our earlier podcast with Skillzminer here. 
Try the tool for yourself on the CACHE Alumni website to find your next job, promotion or career goal or, if you're an employer, get in touch to get access to Skillzminer's recruitment portal through CACHE Alumni. 
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This episode was brought to you by CACHE Alumni, a free, award-winning membership platform for practitioners from across care, health and early years education. By signing up with us, you gain access to various CPD resources, including our member magazine Aluminate, latest news from the sector, careers advice, a range of special offers and discounts and more. 
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You can find our podcast on numerous different platforms, including PodBean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, YouTube, and more. 
 

S4E06 - What are T Levels? An employer’s guide with Famly and Always Growing

Join us on this week's podcast as Famly's Education Editor, Julia Rose, takes the interviewer's seat to explore T Levels for early years and childcare settings. Our panel of experts, including NCFE's Janet King, Stacy Mann and Angie Rogers, and Ben Bausor from Always Growing, will discuss what T Levels entail, the progression opportunities they provide, and address concerns from employers. The panel will also share insights on the benefits of students gaining real-life experience in placements, including recruitment and retention advantages for smaller settings, as well as the resources available to them.
Want to skip ahead?
(0:00-2:50) Introduction to Janet, Stacy, Angie, Ben and Julia
(2:50-4:56) Who T Levels are for and the collaboration with employers
(4:56-7:40) What core year entails in education and childcare; the 12 elements
(7:40-9:50) What second year entails
(9:50-11:20) Addressing employer concerns and information on the qualifications
(11:20-12:40) Progression after T levels and the CPD carousel
(12:40-14:06) How to find a student for a placement that's relevant to your setting
(14:06-15:23) Supporting the next generation and T levels as a hybrid of apprenticeships and further education
(15:23-17:28) Health and safety, and bespoke placements
(17:28-17:43) Break 
(17:43-20:00) How 'Always Growing' provides placements, and the importance of treating students as employees
(20:00-23:00) The benefits of placement students on your staff and recruitment
(23:00-26:00) Assessment as a 'two-way process' and how it relates to second year of the T Level in education and childcare
(26:00-27:35) The benefits of T Level students for smaller settings' recruitment
(27:35-29:40) How assessments produce experienced individuals that can match your employment requirements 
(29:40-33:00) What settings with no prior experience can expect and support available
(33:00-38:10) What are employer validated/set projects and to what extent employers are involved
(38:10-39:14) Final notes
 
Links to to our guests:
www.ncfe.org.uk
www.famly.co
www.alwaysgrowing.co.uk
 
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This episode was brought to you by CACHE Alumni, a free, award-winning membership platform for practitioners from across care, health and early years education. By signing up with us, you gain access to various CPD resources, including our member magazine Aluminate, latest news from the sector, careers advice, a range of special offers and discounts and more. 
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You can find our podcast on numerous different platforms, including PodBean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, YouTube, and more. 
 

S4E05 - Alison Featherbe discusses the benefits of mentorship and supervision

Alison Featherbe joins us for the latest episode of POD-CACHE, to talk about mentoring and supervision in Early Years settings. Alison is a learning and development practitioner working within early years as a consultant and shares her approach and thoughts on career progression, personal development, support and supervision as she chats to Dawn Newman, CACHE Alumni Communities Manager. 
Want to skip ahead?
(0:00-3:05) Introduction to Alison Featherbe and her Early Years work as a 'critical friend'
(3:05-5:28) Mentoring, leadership and the power of community
(5:28-7:25) Professional values, growing and making mistakes
(7:25-9.20) The role of our community in creating policies, procedures and safe and healthy workplaces
(9:20-12:00) Finding our culture:  What kind of practitioner are you when nobody is watching?
(12:00-15:20) Social Media, the internet and the impact on our practice: knowing our children is key to doing the right thing
(15:20-15.43) Skillzminer
(15:43-20:20) 'Pinterest pedagogy' - Planning, idea sharing and the power of boredom.
(20:20-23:30) Play, partnering and time management in settings
(23:30-28:30) Should adults play?
(28:30-31:25) Bringing your own hobbies, interests and experiences to work
(31:25-34:10) Coaching our team and providing supportive supervision
(34:10-36:21) Setting our goals and planning our development and progression
(36:21-37:48) Alison talks about her online presence - find her online. 
(37:48-38:09) CACHE Alumni 
 
You can find Alison on;
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
LinkedIn
alison@alisonfeatherbe.co.uk
 
This episode was brought to you by CACHE Alumni, a free, award-winning membership platform for practitioners from across care, health and early years education. By signing up with us, you gain access to various CPD resources, latest news from the sector, careers advice, a range of special offers and discounts and more. 
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You can find our podcast on numerous different platforms, including PodBean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, YouTube, and more. 

S4E04 - Unlocking the power of playful mathematics with Dr Helen J Williams

Tune into this week's episode where we meet with Dr Helen J Williams, author of the award-winning 'Playful Mathematics: For Children 3 to 7', who shares her journey towards becoming passionate about mathematics and her mission to change perceptions of math as a dry and uninteresting subject. Dr. Williams also provides practical recommendations for educators and families on how to make math lessons more fun and engaging for young children.
 
Want to skip ahead?
(0:00-2:30) Introduction to Dr Helen J Williams and her journey with maths
(2:30-4:50) Moving from a dislike to a love of maths
(4:50-7:42) Maths' evolution since the 80s and use of manipulatives in maths teaching
(7:42-9:20) The challenges of applying more practical approaches 
(9:20-11:50) Challenging perceptions of being good vs. bad at maths and how taking risks translates into development 
(11:50-14:45) Problem-solving and Pirate's Gold problem
(14:45-15:00) Break
(15:00-18:40) How practitioners can recapture the joy of maths 
(18:40-20:40) Resources available for teaching maths 
(20:40-27:18) Shape and space (geometry) and recalling vs. applying knowledge
(27:18-30:20) Progress in understanding how primary school children learn maths 
(30:20-33:00) What is subitising and what activities can help children develop the skill
(33:00-37:31) Helen talks about her book 'Playful Mathematics: For Children 3 to 7' and final notes
 
You can hear more from Helen on her twitter @helenjwc 
 
Links mentioned in podcast:
British Society for Research into Learning Mathematics - https://bsrlm.org.uk/
Association of Teachers of Mathematics - https://www.atm.org.uk/ 
Early Childhood Mathematics Group - https://earlymaths.org/ 
NRICH Maths Resources - https://nrich.maths.org/ 
Helen's Book - Playful Mathematics: For Children 3 to 7 
 
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This episode was brought to you by CACHE Alumni, a free, award-winning membership platform for practitioners from across care, health and early years education. By signing up with us, you gain access to various CPD resources, latest news from the sector, careers advice, a range of special offers and discounts and more. 
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You can find our podcast on numerous different platforms, including PodBean, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, YouTube, and more.