Marathon Early Years Consultancy

Knowing the Child Beyond the Tracker

Here's a question to try with your team:

“Tell me how this child learns best.”

Not what they can do.

Not what their next step is.

Not what activity they enjoyed yesterday.

How do they actually learn?

Some children watch before joining in. Some need to repeat something again and again. Some seek challenge, while others need reassurance before taking that first step.

These behaviours tell us so much about the child — and should influence the way we interact with them.

In this week's blog, I look at the Characteristics of Effective Learning and why understanding them should be about far more than adding another comment to an observation or assessment.

It is about knowing when to challenge, when to encourage, when to wait and when to recognise that a child is already deeply involved in learning and doesn't need us to interrupt it.

Have a read of Knowing the Child Beyond the Tracker on the Marathon Early Years Consultancy

https://www.marathon-consultancy.co.uk/knowing-the-child-beyond-the-tracker/

Then try that question with your team:

Could every practitioner confidently tell you how each of their key children learns best?

Are mealtimes part of your curriculum?

Or have they gradually become something the team needs to "get through" before moving on to the next part of the day?

There is so much learning sitting around a nursery table.

Pouring a drink. Serving a portion. Using a knife and fork. Waiting for a friend. Having a conversation. Solving a problem. Helping someone else. Talking about food. Simply feeling that you belong.

None of this needs another activity or another resource.

Sometimes it just needs us to slow down enough to recognise the learning already happening.

In my latest blog, I explore how we can move from transaction to teaching and make every mealtime count.

I'd be interested to know: if you observed lunch in your setting tomorrow, what learning would you see?

Read the full blog: https://www.marathon-consultancy.co.uk/transitions-to-teaching-at-mealtimes/

Safer eating isn't just about what is on the plate.

It's about the environment, the routines, the confidence of the team, and the culture leaders create every single day.

In my latest blog, I explore why taking a whole-setting approach is one of the most effective ways to reduce risk and create calm, positive mealtime experiences for children.

If you're looking at safer eating through the lens of compliance alone, it may be time to think more broadly.

I'd love to hear your thoughts after you've had a read.

Read the blog here:
https://www.marathon-consultancy.co.uk/beyond-mealtimes-taking-a-whole-setting-approach-to-safer-eating/

👋 Say hello to Sprout!

I'm really excited to introduce the newest member of the Marathon team... Sprout! 🌱

Sprout has been created to make learning more engaging, celebrate great practice and help bring ideas to life across everything we do at Marathon.

Over the coming weeks, you'll start spotting Sprout in blogs, inspection insights, toolkits, training resources, presentations and practical tips, all designed to support early years professionals.

Sprout has one simple mission...

Helping settings take strategic steps towards long-term success.

I can't wait to share what's coming next.

Please help me give Sprout a warm welcome! 👋

👀 Something is sprouting...

We've been working on something exciting behind the scenes at Marathon.

It's almost time to introduce our newest team member.

Any guesses who it might be?

🌱 Find out tomorrow...

We have an exciting opportunity in our Colourbox @ Cherry Trees nursery, for a Level 3 Qualified Room Leader in the Garden Room (2-3 years).

If you're looking for your next big role, or know someone who'd be perfect for it, please see our application form below.

Colourbox @ Cherry Trees
Flempton Road
Risby, Bury St Edmunds
IP28 6QJ

Full Time
40 hours / 4-5 day working week

Click the link for full specifications and application.

Safer Recruitment and full DBS Checks apply.

https://colourboxmontessori.eyrecruit.co.uk/nursery-room-leader/49?source=careers

Excellence isn’t built overnight.It is built through investment in people, coaching, reflection and professional growth.

We are proud to be partnering with Realise Training to support early years settings and professionals with apprenticeship and training opportunities that strengthen teams for the long term.

Because thriving teams create thriving experiences for children.

Find out more below 👇https://realisetraining.com/marathon-consultancy-referral?hs_preview=ETGQgglA-391906351339

realisetraining.com

Inclusion cannot sit with one person.
It cannot be a job role.

Much like safeguarding, inclusion has to be part of the everyday culture of a setting — built into interactions, routines, relationships and leadership.

Really enjoyed being part of the Realise Early Years Round Table podcast this week discussing:

🎙️ “Inclusion Starts Here: Practical Approaches for Every Setting.”

One of the biggest reflections from the conversation was the importance of recognising barriers to learning early and responding through everyday practice — not waiting for diagnosis before support begins.

Inclusive cultures are built when:
✨ Every team member takes responsibility
✨ Staff feel confident to adapt and respond
✨ Children feel seen, safe and valued
✨ Families feel listened to and included

Thank you to Realise for the opportunity to be part of such an important conversation for the sector.

Receiving feedback like this never gets old.

At Marathon Early Years Consultancy, we believe meaningful support should feel reflective, practical and genuinely bespoke to each setting. Whether that is through leadership mentoring, safeguarding systems, quality improvement work or practical toolkits, our aim is always the same — to create sustainable impact that supports children, teams and leaders long term.

Thank you to Petra and the team at Colourbox Montessori School for your kind words and trust in our work.

From our Single Central Record toolkit through to consultancy and leadership support, it means a great deal to know the resources and guidance are helping settings feel more confident, organised and inspection ready.

Excellence isn’t a sprint — it’s a marathon.

If you would like to explore how Marathon Early Years Consultancy can support your setting, feel free to get in touch.