Beyond ‘Professional Love’: How to Implement the Key Person Approach and Build Trust Across Your Nursery

Atelier Talks

26:28

Squid Game is back—and this time, the knives are out. In the thrilling Season 3 premiere, Player 456 is spiraling and a brutal round of hide-and-seek forces players to kill or be killed. Hosts Phil Yu and Kiera Please break down Gi-hun’s descent into vengeance, Guard 011’s daring betrayal of the Game, and the shocking moment players are forced to choose between murdering their friends… or dying. Then, Carlos Juico and Gavin Ruta from the Jumpers Jump podcast join us to unpack their wild theories for the season. Plus, Phil and Kiera face off in a high-stakes round of “Hot Sweet Potato.” SPOILER ALERT! Make sure you watch Squid Game Season 3 Episode 1 before listening on. Play one last time. IG - @SquidGameNetflix X (f.k.a. Twitter) - @SquidGame Check out more from Phil Yu @angryasianman , Kiera Please @kieraplease and the Jumpers Jump podcast Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts . Squid Game: The Official Podcast is produced by Netflix and The Mash-Up Americans.…

about a year ago 36:50

MP3•Episode home

“It’s a privilege to look after other people’s children” - Lauren

What does it take to build deep, lasting trust in a nursery setting? In this episode of Atelier Talks, we explore the role of the Key Person approach, often referred to at Atelier as the Key Family model.

Rooted in attachment theory and steeped in real love (not just “professional love”), in this episode we unpack how relationships are built, maintained, and celebrated at Atelier, from home visits and settling-in sessions to key family time and sibling connections.

You will learn how to strengthen your relationships with families within a nursery setting, or if you’re an educator wanting to deepen your understanding of responsive care, this episode offers plenty of practical strategies and inspiration to reimagine how love and trust can underpin your practice.

In this episode:

What makes the Key Person approach at Atelier different from standard EY models
Why trust, attachment, and emotional safety unlock growth and learning
How we’ve embedded the Key Family model across our mixed-age, free-flow settings
The importance of home visits, continuity, and relational care
Tips for overhauling your settling-in process
Practical staff development strategies to support this approach
Building strong parent partnerships through openness and community

Standing on the shoulders of giants:

The 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 - the Key Person approach and the concept of the "stretching elastic" between child and practitioner.
Elinor Goldschmied - “islands of intimacy” and relational care.
Jools Page - her research into the concept of professional love in Early Years education.
Dr. Chris Pascal - for questioning the term “professional love” and encouraging us to simply recognise it as love.

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: Key Person approach, Key Families, Early Years education, nursery trust-building, attachment theory, emotional development, settling-in strategies, responsive care, parent partnerships, professional love.

7 episodes

Beyond ‘Professional Love’: How to Implement the Key Person Approach and Build Trust Across Your Nursery

Atelier Talks

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

“It’s a privilege to look after other people’s children” - Lauren

In this episode:

What makes the Key Person approach at Atelier different from standard EY models
Why trust, attachment, and emotional safety unlock growth and learning
How we’ve embedded the Key Family model across our mixed-age, free-flow settings
The importance of home visits, continuity, and relational care
Tips for overhauling your settling-in process
Practical staff development strategies to support this approach
Building strong parent partnerships through openness and community

Standing on the shoulders of giants:

The 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 - the Key Person approach and the concept of the "stretching elastic" between child and practitioner.
Elinor Goldschmied - “islands of intimacy” and relational care.
Jools Page - her research into the concept of professional love in Early Years education.
Dr. Chris Pascal - for questioning the term “professional love” and encouraging us to simply recognise it as love.

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

7 episodes

All episodes

1
How to Prepare for an OFSTED Inspection: Insights From Our Outstanding Nursery 43:04

6 days ago43:04

43:04

“ These inspections are our opportunity to show and tell. To celebrate what we’re doing day in, day out .” – Clare Crowther, Atelier Director Think of this episode of Atelier Talks as your essential guide to acing your nursery’s Oftsed inspection. We take you behind the scenes of our recent OFSTED inspection, which resulted in our Chippenham setting proudly retaining its Outstanding status. This episode is one you don’t want to miss as we share everything you need to know BEFORE you get ‘that phone call’, from the paperwork to ensure you have to hand, to how to empower your nursery team with confidence to showcase the very best of your Early Years setting and practice. Whether you’re a nursery manager, setting leader or Early Years educator, we’re opening up everything we’ve learned across seven Outstanding inspections to help you feel confident, and well prepared for yours. We’re sharing what worked, what surprised us, what we held steady through, and how to put your best foot forward without putting on a performance, but holding on to your values so you can showcase your pedagogy, and stand proud in who you are and what you do day in, day out. In this episode: What to expect when the call comes and how to prepare your team in a calm, empowering way The “learning walk” demystified: what to say, how to show it, and why consistency is key Comfort blankets and confidence boosters: how we prepare our staff and documentation Why embedding reflection and critical friendship across your team is your best OFSTED strategy How to answer difficult questions with honesty and strength (especially in unique settings) The tools, systems and routines that helped us stay calm, collected and focused Our top tips for inspection day, from the practical to the emotional 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: OFSTED Outstanding, Early Years inspection, nursery manager tips, learning walk EYFS, OFSTED preparation, key person approach, Early Years leadership, Early Years self-evaluation, child-led pedagogy, inspection readiness, show and tell not hide and seek, mixed-age settings, nursery staff confidence, EYFS documentation.…

1
Enabling Environments: How To Create Early Years Spaces That Support Real Learning 40:27

20 days ago40:27

40:27

“ It’s about pedagogy, not Pinterest .” – Clare, Director What does an enabling environment really look like? In this episode of Atelier Talks , we explore how thoughtfully designed environments (both physical and emotional) can transform your Early Years setting. This episode is a real behind-the-scenes exclusive insight into how we design and continually review and adapt our nursery spaces here at Atelier. From authentic tools and open-ended resources to carefully curated emotional environments, we discuss how we build spaces that reflect the children at the centre of them; places that inspire autonomy, creativity, and joy. This episode offers a wealth of practical ideas to help you reimagine what your own environment could look like when you really get down on the children’s level and ask yourself “what does it feel like to be a child here?” In this episode, we share: What makes an environment “enabling”, beyond surface aesthetics Why reliable, well-stocked spaces matter just as much as beautiful ones How we use authentic tools, natural materials and loose parts in our mixed-age setting The role of the emotional environment in supporting wellbeing and deep learning How we structure continuous provision, block play, clay work and real-life provocations The Reggio Emilia influence behind our workshop model and third teacher philosophy Our approach to zoning, flow, and flexible furniture for evolving cohorts Examples of community projects and how we bring families and local voices into the nursery Standing on the shoulders of giants The 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: Loris Malaguzzi – founder of the Reggio Emilia approach, which inspires our workshop model, visual presentation of materials, and the concept of the environment as “the third teacher.” Friedrich Froebel – for his philosophy on occupations, block play, and the foundational principles behind hands-on learning and real tools in Early Years. Simon Nicholson – originator of the Theory of Loose Parts, which underpins our use of open-ended, natural materials. Elinor Goldschmied – for her work on heuristic play and treasure baskets, foundational to sensory exploration in early childhood. Reggio Children – referenced more broadly in relation to environments, mark making, and provocations, such as “paper as a receiver” and collaborative projects. The Hundred Languages of Children – a core concept from Reggio Emilia practice guiding our creative and multi-modal learning environments. 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: enabling environments, pedagogy not Pinterest, Reggio Emilia, Froebel, block play, loose parts, heuristic play, workshop model, Early Years education, mixed-age settings, child-led learning, nursery design, sensory play, autonomy in learning.…

1
Beyond ‘Professional Love’: How to Implement the Key Person Approach and Build Trust Across Your Nursery 36:50

5 weeks ago36:50

36:50

“ It’s a privilege to look after other people’s children ” - Lauren What does it take to build deep, lasting trust in a nursery setting? In this episode of Atelier Talks , we explore the role of the Key Person approach , often referred to at Atelier as the Key Family model . Rooted in attachment theory and steeped in real love (not just “professional love”), in this episode we unpack how relationships are built, maintained, and celebrated at Atelier, from home visits and settling-in sessions to key family time and sibling connections. You will learn how to strengthen your relationships with families within a nursery setting, or if you’re an educator wanting to deepen your understanding of responsive care, this episode offers plenty of practical strategies and inspiration to reimagine how love and trust can underpin your practice. In this episode: What makes the Key Person approach at Atelier different from standard EY models Why trust, attachment, and emotional safety unlock growth and learning How we’ve embedded the Key Family model across our mixed-age, free-flow settings The importance of home visits, continuity, and relational care Tips for overhauling your settling-in process Practical staff development strategies to support this approach Building strong parent partnerships through openness and community Standing on the shoulders of giants: The 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 - the Key Person approach and the concept of the "stretching elastic" between child and practitioner. Elinor Goldschmied - “islands of intimacy” and relational care. Jools Page - her research into the concept of professional love in Early Years education. Dr. Chris Pascal - for questioning the term “professional love” and encouraging us to simply recognise it as love. 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 : Key Person approach, Key Families, Early Years education, nursery trust-building, attachment theory, emotional development, settling-in strategies, responsive care, parent partnerships, professional love.…

1
Why Mixed-Age Learning Will Transform Your Early Years Setting 40:18

7 weeks ago40:18

40:18

“Children are capable of so much - if we let them.” What if babies and preschoolers could learn alongside each other every day? At Atelier, they do, and we're here to share with you just how transformative this approach can be in your nursery setting. In today’s episode we take you through the benefits and practical realities of the mixed-age key family approach our nursery has become well known (and loved!) for. From peer scaffolding and social-emotional development to fluid, child-led environments and trust-based pedagogy, the Atelier leadership team share their experiences of creating a setting where all children, regardless of age, can learn and grow together. This episode is absolutely brimming with practical insights and all our best tips on how to start implementing this approach, so if you're curious about how mixed-age learning could transform your setting (or even if you're a parent wondering how this actually works in practice) you'll definitely want to grab your notebook! In this episode: What the mixed-age key family model really looks like in practice at Atelier Why peer learning and scaffolding flourishes across age groups The role of trust, risk, and autonomy in child development How staff and children adapt to a fully free-flow environment Tips for nursery leaders thinking about transitioning away from age-defined groupings Planning, communication, and ‘rhythm not routines’ at Atelier Insights into personalised CPD and staff development in a mixed-age setting Find out more: · Website and newsletter: ateliernursery.co.uk · Instagram: @ateliernurseryltd · Consultancy enquiries: Contact us via the website Together, we’ll unlock the potential for incredible growth and learning. Atelier Talks is a Decibelle Creative original podcast www.decibellecreative.com / @decibelle_creative Keywords: Early Years education, child-led learning, Mixed-Age, key family groups, reflective practice, nursery leadership.…

1
Outstanding Early Years Education: ‘The Magic of Atelier’ 30:14

9 weeks ago30:14

30:14

What does truly child-led learning look like? The Atelier team explore autonomy, relationships, and purposeful planning, blending Reggio Emilia, Froebel, and research-led pedagogy into a setting where children, families and staff feel seen, heard, and inspired. Brought to you by the Atelier Nursery senior leadership team, proudly produced by Decibelle Creative. “ It doesn’t fit a business plan, it doesn’t fit an educational curriculum… it’s about a feel—what feels right for those children, what feels right for those families .” Clare, Director Welcome back to Atelier Talks, the Early Years Collective. In this episode, the Atelier team explore autonomy, relationships, and purposeful planning, blending Reggio Emilia, Froebel, and research-led pedagogy into a setting where children, families and staff feel seen, heard, and inspired. Consider this episode permission to do things differently in your Early Years practice, and get ready for a deep dive with Clare, Beth, Lauren and Laura, into research-led Early Years education, the Atelier way. In this episode: Reggio Emilia, Froebel, Vygotsky and Katz: blending research into everyday pedagogy Why autonomy matters (for children and practitioners) The child-led planning cycle: from individual interests to project work The “confronto” process: how Atelier educators reflect deeply on their children’s development Why relationships with families are at the heart of our practice Find out more: · Website and newsletter: ateliernursery.co.uk · Instagram: @ateliernurseryltd · Consultancy enquiries: Contact us via the website Together, we’ll unlock the potential for incredible growth and learning. Atelier Talks is a Decibelle Creative original podcast www.decibellecreative.com / @decibelle_creative Keywords: Early Years education, child-led learning, Reggio Emilia, Froebel, key family groups, reflective practice, nursery leadership.…

1
The Story of Atelier Nursery: Introducing Atelier Talks 33:17

10 weeks ago33:17

33:17

An introduction to the people and principles behind Atelier Nursery Meet the team behind Atelier Nursery and discover the story, values, and philosophy that shape this award-winning Early Years setting. From free-flow learning to mixed-age groups, find out what makes Atelier unique, and upcoming episode topics to look forward to. Brought to you by the Atelier Nursery senior leadership team, proudly produced by Decibelle Creative . “ You walk in the door and you just get the feeling of love, warmth, of determination. Not only with our children, but with us as well .” Beth, Senior Leader Welcome to Atelier Talks, the Early Years Collective. This is a podcast for educators, parents and Early Years professionals who want to raise the bar and reimagine what Early Years education can be. In this very first episode, join Atelier Nursery Director Clare Crowther and the leadership team (Beth, Laura and Lauren) as they share the story, philosophy and passion behind Atelier Nursery. Built on internationally recognised best practice and inspired by Reggio Emilia and Froebel, Atelier is more than just a nursery—it’s a creative, connected, research-led Early Years setting where children are respected as capable learners. In this episode: Meet your Atelier Talks hosts: the team behind Atelier Nursery The story of how Atelier was founded (and what the name really means…) What makes Atelier’s pedagogy different: from mixed-age groups to free-flow learning Reggio, Froebel and Katz: the principles that shape the rich pedagogy at Atelier Why this podcast exists, and what’s coming up next Find out more: · Website and newsletter: ateliernursery.co.uk · Instagram: @ateliernurseryltd · Consultancy enquiries: Contact us via the website Together, we’ll unlock the potential for incredible growth and learning. Atelier Talks is a Decibelle Creative original podcast www.decibellecreative.com / @decibelle_creative Keywords: Early Years education, child-led learning, Reggio Emilia nursery, professional development for educators, pedagogy in practice.…

1
Introducing Atelier Talks - The Early Years Collective 4:31

11 weeks ago4:31