A Year to Celebrate: Holding What We’ve Built Together

Accompanying Episode 18 of the Atelier Podcast.

As we close Series One of the podcast, we wanted to end where so much of our work in early years truly sits, in reflection, gratitude and quiet celebration.

This final episode gave us permission to pause and look back over a year that has been full, demanding and deeply meaningful. A year shaped not by single moments alone, but by the steady, thoughtful work of teams committed to children, families and one another.

Outstanding.

We celebrated an Outstanding Ofsted inspection, recognising it not as a moment in isolation, but as the outcome of everyday practice grounded in relationships, professional trust and shared values. Behind the judgement sits a culture, one that prioritises care, reflection and continual learning.

Enrichment Days and Study Tours.

The year also brought opportunities to step beyond our settings and widen our thinking. Enrichment days, study tours and time spent in other settings working alongside other educators reminded us of the importance of beauty, creativity and awe not just for children, but for adults too. These experiences refreshed our thinking about environments, sustainability and the role of lived experience in learning.

Our staff training days with the Froebel Institute offered space to slow down and return to the foundations of early childhood education: play, connection, holistic development and respect for the child. These days reaffirmed what many practitioners instinctively know, that strong pedagogy grows best when given time, dialogue and depth.

For some members of the team, the study tour to Reggio Emilia was a powerful professional learning. Seeing practice through an international lens reminded us of the value of closely observing and listening to children’s thinking, the role of the environment as the third teacher, and the importance of shared professional dialogue. These experiences continue to ripple back into our everyday work and we are excited about the year to come.

Meaningful Moments, Reflection and People.

Alongside these highlights were the quieter, equally vital celebrations: the settling of new babies, the welcoming of new families, the gentle building of trust at drop-off and pick-up, and the thousands of small interactions that shape a child’s sense of belonging. These moments rarely appear on timelines, but they are the work that matters.

In this episode, we also reflected on podcasts that have supported our own professional growth. Listening, whether while walking, travelling or pausing at the end of the day has become an accessible way to stay connected to wider conversations in education. It’s another reminder that professional development is not always formal; sometimes it arrives through reflection, resonance and shared thinking.

What this episode and this series truly celebrates is people. Teams who show up with care and curiosity. Leaders who hold space for learning and uncertainty. Educators who continue to reflect, even when the sector feels under strain.

As series one comes to a close, we hope these conversations have offered reassurance, inspiration and a sense of connection.

Thank you for listening.

Thank you for reflecting with us.

We hope you will join us for series two.