Marathon Early Years Consultancy

15/09/2026

How often do we say, “It’ll be quicker if I do it”?
Probably because most of the time, it will!
But Week 2 of The Power of the Pause asks us to think about what might be lost when adults routinely step in.
Making a bed is a great example.
An adult can probably make ten nursery beds efficiently and neatly while the children are doing something else.
But what if the children were involved?
Carrying their bedding. Unfolding the sheet. Finding the corners. Stretching it across the mattress. Watching it ping back off again! Trying another way. Asking someone to hold the other side.
Suddenly, a routine task contains physical development, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, perseverance and independence.
And the bed might not look quite as perfect.
Perhaps that’s okay.
This week, Sprout and I are exploring participation before independence and asking practitioners to consider one simple question before automatically stepping in:
Could the child do more here?
Not everything.
Just more.
Pause. Notice. Extend.
Week 2 – Before You Do It for Me is now live.

Read the blog here: https://www.marathon-consultancy.co.uk/the-power-of-the-pause-before-you-do-it-for-me/

10/09/2026

Where is the learning hiding?

Over the next six weeks, Sprout and I are going to be exploring The Power of the Pause.

It came from something I've been thinking about increasingly through my work around mealtimes.

If we can stop seeing mealtimes as something to ‘get through’ before the learning continues, where else might we need to look differently?
Making children's beds.
Washing hands.
Getting coats and shoes on.
Moving into the garden.
Tidying up.
Clearing away.

What happens if, before automatically helping, completing the task or moving everyone on, we pause?
Could the child do more?
What are they already working out?
Where could we extend the learning a little further?
This isn't about giving early years teams even more to do. Quite the opposite.
It's about recognising just how much learning is already happening in the everyday.

Week 1 of The Power of the Pause – Where Is the Learning Hiding? is now live.
https://www.marathon-consultancy.co.uk/the-power-of-the-pause-where-is-the-learning-hiding/

28/08/2026

The EYFS changes on 1 September. Does everything in your setting need to change with it?

Probably not.

There are important new and strengthened requirements that leaders need to understand and implement.

But this is also a good moment to think about how we lead change.

One of the things I see regularly when supporting settings is not a lack of ambition — quite the opposite. Sometimes there is simply too much ambition all at once.

New framework. New action plan. New paperwork. New processes. New expectations.

Before long, the team is trying to implement ten things and embedding none of them.

My latest blog explores the difference between constantly changing practice and allowing practice to evolve.

Good improvement needs clarity, modelling, coaching, reflection and — importantly — time.

As September approaches, perhaps the question isn't “How quickly can we change everything?”

It is “What matters most, and how do we make it stick?”

Read the full blog here:
Change or Evolution? Setting the Right Pace for Sustainable Improvement

24/08/2026

21/08/2026

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?

14/08/2026

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/

07/08/2026

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/

05/08/2026

👋 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! 👋

04/08/2026

👀 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...

17/06/2026

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