In this episode, we challenge the idea that budgeting is just about balancing the books and making difficult cuts. Joined by operations leader and nursery director Benjamin Wire, we explore how budgets can become a strategic tool for innovation, sustainability, and long-term impact.

Can profit and purpose coexist? Should leaders prioritise people, experiences, or resources? And what happens when you stop treating budgets as limitations and start seeing them as opportunities?

Whether you're a nursery manager, aspiring leader, or business owner, this episode will transform the way you think about money, leadership, and creating meaningful outcomes for children, families, and teams.

Corporate social responsibility is not just for large organisations. You will explore how leadership decisions affect people, communities and the environment and consider what responsible practice looks like in everyday settings. This episode encourages you to move beyond good intentions and reflect on the impact others actually experience.

Our special guest this week is Steph Larner-Pickin; who is an Assistant Headteacher in an Alternative Provision Academy and PRU in the north west of England. She has a particular interest in ethical leadership and what drives us as school leaders to make the decisions we do, including balancing accountability with compassion and the wellbeing of everyone within the organisation. Steph holds values-based practice close to her heart and believes that strong schools are built upon inclusion, justice, transparency, aspiration and trust.

Resources

Corporate social responsibility PowerPoint

What does Corporate Social Responsibility really look like in an early years setting? In this inspiring episode, we speak with Jayne Cocksedge and Sonya Cheesmur from Jane's Nature Nursery about how sustainability, community engagement, and ethical leadership can transform children's learning experiences.

Discover how a nature-based approach is helping children become more resilient, independent, and environmentally conscious, while also strengthening family engagement, staff wellbeing, and community connections. From cloth nappies and recycling initiatives to intergenerational partnerships with local care homes, Jayne and Sonya share practical examples of how small, everyday actions can create lasting positive change.

This conversation challenges the idea that Corporate Social Responsibility is only for large organisations and demonstrates how early years leaders can make a meaningful impact on people, communities, and the planet—one child, one family, and one small step at a time.

Emma Minchella and Tatia Singleton are joined by guest Bethanie Wiltshire, Employer Partnership Manager and Co-Chair of the SEG Pride Network, to mark Pride Month and explore the importance of supporting the LGBTQ+ community in education and the workplace.

Together, they discuss the significance of Pride Month, the importance of creating inclusive and supportive environments, and how organisations can champion diversity, equality and belonging throughout the year. They also explore the value of representation, the impact of allyship, and why open conversations around identity and inclusion are so important for both learners and colleagues alike.

In this insightful episode Tatia Singleton is joined by co-host, Emma Minchella and Lauren Hemmings to explore the role of organisational values in early years education and leadership. Drawing on their extensive experience as nursery leaders and managers, the conversation unpacks what values such as child-centred practice, partnership working, staff wellbeing, inclusion, and passion for early years truly look like in practice — from recruitment and induction to everyday decision-making in settings.

The discussion also tackles the real-world challenges leaders face when values are tested by funding pressures, differing parental expectations, or operational demands. Through honest reflections and practical examples, the episode highlights how strong values shape setting culture, influence staff and family relationships, and ultimately ensure the best outcomes for children. Perfect for early years leaders, managers, and practitioners, this episode offers thought-provoking insights into leading with integrity, reflection, and purpose.

In this episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast, host Emma Minchella is joined by guest Ka Lai Brightley-Hodges from Coram Pacey to explore the findings from the Magic of Childminding 2026 report and celebrate the incredible impact childminders have on children, families and communities.

Together, they discuss what makes childminding such a distinctive form of childcare, the importance of long-term relationships and emotional security for children, and why so many childminders remain passionate about the profession for years. They also explore the vital role childminders play in supporting babies and young children, creating rich learning experiences through everyday life, and providing trusted support for whole families.

Explore what organisational values really mean in practice. You will reflect on whether values are lived or just displayed, how they shape behaviour and decision making, and how they hold up under pressure. This episode encourages you to align values, actions and culture to lead with greater consistency and clarity.

Steph Larner-Pickin is an Assistant Headteacher in an Alternative Provision Academy and PRU in the north west of England. She has a particular interest in ethical leadership and what drives us as school leaders to make the decisions we do, including balancing accountability with compassion and the wellbeing of everyone within the organisation. Steph holds values-based practice close to her heart and believes that strong schools are built upon inclusion, justice, transparency, aspiration and trust.

Resources

Level 7 Organisational values - PowerPoint

In this upcoming episode of the Best Practice Network Apprenticeship Podcast, hosts Emma Minchella and Tatia Singleton are joined by maths and English tutor Tamara Priestman. Together, they explore how the virtual classroom sessions are designed to be engaging, supportive, and inclusive for all learners.

Through real-life examples, they highlight how the virtual classrooms are both accessible and enjoyable, and why creating a positive environment is key to building confidence and encouraging participation. The episode also offers valuable insight into how tailored support and interactive teaching approaches can help you develop essential skills, succeed in their maths and English functional skills exams, and unlock long-term career opportunities.

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