Episode Details

In this episode of The Early Years Together, Dr Jacqueline Young and Deborah Brown are joined by early years educator Andrea Jackson to explore the vital role that baby room care routines play in supporting young children's physical development, emotional wellbeing, and secure attachment. Drawing on Andrea's experience across nurseries, baby rooms and further education, the discussion highlights how everyday caregiving moments such as feeding, nappy changing, sleep routines and play create powerful opportunities for learning, development and relationship-building.

Together, they discuss the importance of responsive, attuned caregiving and how practitioners can balance predictable routines with flexibility to meet each baby's individual needs. The conversation explores recognising babies' unique cues, working in partnership with families, respecting cultural practices, and supporting parents through sensitive, non-judgemental conversations when concerns arise.

The episode also focuses on safer sleep practice, examining current guidance, safeguarding responsibilities, and the practical steps early years professionals must take to create safe sleep environments. The hosts and their guest reflect on the importance of consistent documentation, team-wide approaches, and early identification of concerns related to sleep, feeding, regulation and development.

Whether you are an early years practitioner, student, or parent, this episode offers evidence-informed insights and practical reflections to help ensure babies feel safe, secure, understood, and supported to thrive.

Don't forget to join us next time when we'll be discussing Toilet Training and Self-Care Routines.

Episode Three References:

Department for Education (2026) Safer sleep. Help for Early Years Providers. Available at: https://help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/safer-sleep

Owston, L. (2026) How safeguarding and children’s welfare and wellbeing underpin the September 2026 updates to early years inspections. Ofsted: Early Years Blog, 12 June. Available at: https://earlyyears.blog.gov.uk/2026/06/12/how-safeguarding-and-childrens-welfare-and-wellbeing-underpin-the-september-2026-updates-to-early-years-inspections/

Hosts:

Deborah Brown www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-brown79

Dr Jacqueline Young www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jacqueline-young

Mixing Engineer:

Luke Young www.linkedin.com/in/lukeyoungcomposer

Title music by:

Luke Young www.linkedin.com/in/lukeyoungcomposer