Here at the London Early Years Foundation, we always try to reassure parents they should not feel guilty on returning to work soon after having a child.

However, despite first-hand experience here at LEYF - with so many young children developing in key ways once in nursery - it often seems so much of our news media and TV 'Supernannies' like to play on parents' common fears of failure and inadequacy.

With this in mind, we were delighted to discover and wanted to briefly highlight some fantastic new research published only last week by the Society for Research in Child Development.

The first of its kind to assess the total impact of maternal employment on a child's cognitive and social development, it will no doubt cause all our parents to breathe a well-earned sigh of relief - and is especially well-timed, with so many mums returning to work in these economically challenging times.

To read more about the report, click here or here.

We would just like to congratulate our nursery team at Carlton Hill on being awarded an Outstanding in their Ofsted inspection earlier today! 

We are yet to see the full report, but comments from the inspectors included:

• Fantastic outdoor play (in the words of the inspector, “better than outstanding”)
• Great parental relationships, with specific references to our recent questionnaires and new draft parents handbook
• Successfully following the journey of each child, checking every piece of paper from day one
• Well-maintained Learning Journeys
• Interest trees and the way the planning reflects the children's interests
• Well-connected and followed through planning and evaluation
• CPD and the fact that it’s clear as an organisation that we take our staff seriously and want to give them the best opportunities for learning and development

We are absolutely delighted with this latest result - and hope to be at the top of the next Quality Tree on the 20 largest providers in the UK published later this year!

So, well done again to all the children, parents and staff at Carlton Hill – you have made everyone at LEYF very happy on a beautiful and sunny day!

Our ever passionate CEO, June O'Sullivan, has once again spoken out on behalf of children, families and the Early Years sector.  In a letter published in the popular email newsletter of high-profile magazine Social Enterprise this morning, June reminds us all of the "substantial rewards" available with consistently targeted investment in the Early Years:

"If the new coalition government is genuine about its desire and commitment to address the real issues at the heart of a 'Broken Britain', Early Years must surely be the best place to start.

"Only when we consistently invest in children and families from day one, can we ever hope to reap such substantial rewards available to us all further down the line – namely the social, emotional and economic fabric of this much lauded 'Big Society' itself."

The article and original letter can both be read in full here.

A massive “well done!” to both April and Ray on their success at this year's Virgin London Marathon!

For her first Marathon outing, April did tremendously well - clocking in at just over 5 hours - and whilst Ray marginally missed his previous track record, he still finished at an incredible 3 hours 19 minutes!

On completing the race, an exhilarated Ray said: "It was a pleasure to help LEYF this year, although in parts, not a pleasure to run - I'd forgotten just what those last miles were like!"

"As always, both the day and the crowds were fantastic - but I can honestly say 'never again' ... or maybe..."

With funds raised by Ray for LEYF almost topping the £1000 mark - and April's for Beating Bowel Cancer already past £1500, we challenge you all to check behind your sofas one last time - see if you can dig up a few more lost pound coins to give to both causes by the end of this week! 

We're delighted to announce that our very first edition of LEYF News is now available - across all our 19 nursery settings, Head Office - and online by clicking this link!

As our very first combined newsletter for parents, staff and partners, we hope you enjoy reading about the many aspects of what we do - as much as we enjoy being a part of them.

Of course, such publications would be very empty without the real life stories that we are fortunate enough to collect here at LEYF, so please do get in touch if you have an experience of LEYF that you'd like to share!

Until then, happy reading - and please let us know what you like most in this new publication - and what you'd like to see next time!

If you ever wondered what kind and variety of fresh, quality food we serve our children at LEYF - or indeed what you should be feeding your own child under 5 - you can now read all about it in this great article in this morning's Times here.

Experienced LEYF Chef at Luton Street Community Nursery, Marcia Gavin recently explained in an interview with The Times Journalist, Anna Shepard: "Children are more open-minded than people realise," said Marcia. "As long as it tastes nice, they’ll eat it."

We look forward to sharing more news later this year on our own Glorious Food project - now part of the Better Nursery Food, Now campaign, led by Organix and the Soil Association.

Until then,we would just like to say a big Thank You to everyone that's helping to build a better future for London's children through this campaign - not least Anna for her terrific article, which has really helped raise the profile of what is unquestionably an often overlooked yet no less important aspect of every child's Early Years development.

We're delighted to announce that Ray Holden is running the London Marathon next month to raise funds for LEYF and the many children in our care.

"This is my third marathon run, so the pressure is on to beat my previous record of three hours eight minutes,” said Ray, brother of LEYF Trustee Karen Drury.  “Running for a charity gives even more of an incentive to do this and I am delighted to be running for LEYF this year."

With around two thirds of nursery places at LEYF subsidised, funds raised by Ray will make a real difference to the passion for learning and future prospects of every child.  So please help to support Ray’s Marathon bid this April by making a small tax-free donation at www.bmycharity.com/RayHoldenLondonMarathon.

LEYF Senior Administrator, April Rawlings, is also running this year - this time in support of Beating Bowl Cancer.  So if you can spare a little time to cheer Ray and April on, we're sure they would both appreciate your support on the day.  For those interested in watching from the sidelines, you can find all you need here - both in terms of travel updates and the Marathon route itelf, so you can choose your best spot to look on as Ray and April both speed by!

At LEYF, we depend on the support of many friends and partners to improve the lives and well-being of around 1200 children from all walks of life across London each year.

So, for those of you unable to support Ray on the day, please remember that helping us to continue the innovative, play-based nursery education we’re so well known for here at LEYF is crucial.  Your generous donations also help us to extend and improve the quality of what we do through our ongoing research activity and growing number of training programmes we now offer young people, most often from our local community.

In particular, funds are currently needed for A Better Future, our campaign raising money to pay for free or very low cost places at LEYF nurseries for London's two in five children still living in poverty.

Anyone interested in raising funds for or donating money to LEYF, please call Elaine Angelis, LEYF Fundraising Manager, on 020 7834 8679 or by emailing elaine@leyf.org.uk.

Furze Community Nursery held their Family Evening today, which proved to be a great success!

The relatively new nursery had 23 families come along, whilst Sue Felsted, Early Years Advisory Teacher, gave a talk on letters and sounds.

Sue also helped parents gain a better understanding of how they could best support their children with language development, continuing the work the staff already carry out in the nursery.

After Sue's talk there were refreshments for all, whilst parents had ample time to meet their child's key person, review their child's individual learning journey and discuss their child's progress at the nursery.

Positive feedback from parents was in plentiful supply and a good time was had by all - with everyone already looking forward to the next event!

Children from across all 19 LEYF community nurseries had a great time celebrating and supporting World Book Day yesterday - especially those from Warwick, Eastbury and Micky Star.

In the case of Eastbury Community Nursery, toddlers enjoyed trips to the local library and then the theatre, to see the show "Penguin", whilst pre-school children went to Bethnal Green Museum. Finally, all children had a great time at the Hatters Tea Party, dressing up as their favourite story characters!

Meanwhile, staff at Warwick Community Nursery engaged children of all ages and abilities by reading a range of favourite stories. Reading was supported not only by using familiar props, but also with sign and symbol based language, Makaton.

Finally, Micky Star Community Nursery and Children's Centre organised a drop-in with the theme "Down in the Jungle", as many local families seemed to be really interested in animals.  Parents were involved with both the story telling and face painting, whilst an entertainer performed animal songs and lots of other animal activities.  Since children in the nursery are such big fans of The Gruffalo, having made a special display around the story, World book Day provided a great chance for them to read this with families from the Children's Centre, which also helped to model story telling back in the nursery.

So, hope you all had a great day yourselves - and enjoy the photos below!

Always a proud and active member of the local community, LEYF is delighted to be involved with the Churchill Gardens Community Choir, set up by Sing London, a charity which brings people together through singing.

Based in Pimlico, the choir has over 30 members, from 6 year olds to retirees, including former children and parents from local LEYF nurseries.

The group is currently preparing for its first public performance at the Cumberland Hotel, London W1 on 2 March.

For the third time, an eager selection of LEYF staff from both Central London and Barking & Dagenham came together for the enormously popular 3 day Baby Show event for young and soon-to-be parents.

Offering all involved a chance to speak directly with a range of parents about the many benefits of childcare - and our distinct LEYF approach in particular - the show proved a great success once again.

It also provided LEYF staff the rare opportunity to relax, get to know one another and exchange ideas outside of their usual office and nursery environments.

Whilst shows like this are often exhausting (not least on your feet), so far it has always proved increasingly rewarding.

So a massive thanks to the hard work of those involved. Here's to the next show, back at Earl's Court in Central London next October. We hope to see you there!!

Opposition leader David Cameron braved the cold and took time out of his hectic schedule earlier today to visit Marsham Street Community Nursery, part of the London Early Year's Foundation, ahead of his subsequent speech at DEMOS on supporting parents.

Sat amongst children already engrossed in various creative activities, the Conservative leader demonstrated his own sketching skills whilst speaking with parents about their personal experiences of childcare in the capital.

Making time to speak with both staff and parents, not only in the popular nursery but also the Children's Centre, David Cameron showed keen interest in the specific effects of the charity's unique social enterprise approach when sitting down with LEYF CEO, June O'Sullivan, and Head of Finance and Support Services, Neil Fenton.

Maria Miller MP, Shadow Minister for the Family and herself a working mother, was also present and spoke with Mine Conkbayir from the organisation's training team about the ongoing success of their first Apprenticeship Programme.

To see more photos from David's visit or to read more about the conservative leader's plan to support parents, click on any of the links below:

David Cameron: family matters to children more than income
Parental 'warmth' more important than wealth, says David Cameron

LEYF will be updating this news item throughout the severe weather conditions.

Last Updated: Thursday 7th January 2010 8:55 am

• Abbots Manor - open as normal
• Angel - open as normal
• Bessborough - open as normal
• Carlton Hill - open as normal
• Eastbury - open as normal
• Fitzrovia - open as normal
• Ford Road - open as normal
• Furze - open as normal
• Holcroft - open as normal
• Katharine Bruce - open as normal
• Leys - as normal
• Lisson Green - open as normal
• Luton Street - open as normal
• Marsham Street - open as normal
• Micky Star - open as normal
• Queensborough - open as normal
• Queens Park - open as normal
• Warwick - open as normal
• Wellgate - open as normal

In light of recent developments in the Plymouth nursery worker case, we would first of all like to express our greatest sympathy and support for those parents and children affected by this clearly appalling situation.
 
Secondly, we would like to reassure all our own parents that no child could be in safer hands or more well cared for than whilst attending a LEYF Community Nursery.
 
Over and above our stringent child protection policies and procedures, any one of our 18 nurseries will confirm the frequency and often unprompted nature of visits and other supervision they receive from a range of Head Office managers, including our ever-present CEO.
 
Combined with the predominantly open design of our nurseries and observant nature of all our employees, this approach of 'every day' monitoring means that no individual nursery or member of staff would ever have the unchecked opportunity, let alone inclination, to do anything other than provide the best possible start in life for the children in our care.
 
Nonetheless, should parents have specific concerns at any time, they are encouraged to speak with a senior member of nursery staff or contact our Head Office directly.  For further reassurance, please read the official response from our sector here:
www.ndna.org.uk/news/press+releases/NDNA-response-sex-abuse.htm
 
In the meantime, we continue to support the managed use of photography in our nurseries to support both a child's learning journey and positive engagement with our parents.

Our distinctive approach to Food for the Under 5s at the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) was 'Highly Commended' at last Friday night's prestigious Nursery World Awards 2009 at Grosvenor House, Park Lane.

Following the honour of winning Nursery Chain of the Year in 2008, this was the first public recognition of the great work carried out by our staff since we changed our name 2 weeks ago - so it was a particularly proud night for us all.

And with our Glorious Food campaign continuing apace, this fresh celebration offered us a perfect pause to say thank you to all our staff for their continued great work, making sure we are once again leading the way - this time, when it comes to food for children under 5.

With 9 of our 14 Chefs present to pick up the accolade on behalf of all 18 of our community nurseries, the mood was jubilant - and apparently the food served on the night was quite nice too!

So please watch this space for more exciting news on the LEYF Food front very soon. In the meantime, congratulations to the overall winner, Red Hen Day Nursery in Louth, Lincs!

From humble beginnings at the heart of Westminster, our families have always been impressively multi-cultural. More than a century later and now based in 19 locations across Greater London, roughly 45 countries are represented in our nurseries, with the children speaking over 30 languages.

Thanks in part to such diversity, last year we helped more than 1177 children develop beyond their first steps. At the grand old age of 106, we felt the time had finally come for us to do the same: it was time for us to grow up! And so we have, into an organisation our founders had pictured so long before - one with a clear purpose and fresh commitment.

So, after almost 2 years of hard work, much emotional debate, deliberation and reflection (not to mention countless rounds of consultation with staff, parents, friends and even children), we are proud to finally present you with our new name, identity and vision as the London Early Years Foundation.

Over 200 excited staff react to launch of our new brand at the very first LEYF Staff Conference, June 2009.

Over the coming months, we look forward to telling you about our new priorities – and working with you all much more closely to help build a better future for London’s children. Until then, please do tell us what you think - and thank you for all your support.

Here’s to the next exciting 100+ years!

When you arrive at work on a Monday morning, the last thing you expect or hope to see is the handy work left behind by overnight vandals – especially if your office is a children’s day nursery. But this was exactly the sight waiting to greet staff from our Luton Street Community Nursery early last week, when they discovered their ever popular outdoor play area had been the scene of such senseless disregard for community property.

After the initial disbelief, shock and sadness expressed by staff and more importantly children on Monday last week, the sustained attack continued over the next two nights – leading into yet another early morning wake up call of destruction on both Tuesday and Wednesday. After a brief respite, yet another repeat performance took place again earlier this week.

Aside from the very tangible distress and disappointment felt by staff and parents at the centre, the children themselves were palpably shocked – and simply could not understand who would do such a terrible thing. Christian and Fionn respectively commented: "The naughty children have broken our garden again" and "Why did they break our house?" Meanwhile, Emilia was ‘very cross’, adding "It’s not good. The fire engines will have to come to put the fire out."

In a long list of damage reported to police by Deputy Manager Stacey-Jane Whitfield over the course of the week, staff discovered a broken the gate to the baby garden, upturned wooden climbing frame and water butt, extensive trashing of the children’s vegetable garden, holes kicked or punched into the back of a fridge, spent packets of cigarettes and butts left strewn across the area, along with graffiti and ‘kisses’ on the nursery windows.

More disturbing perhaps were repeated fires, including one made in the children’s play house. Nursery Officer, Jennie Patterson, commented:

"In one corner they had piled what looked like lots of paper and tissues, which they had then burnt – with a pile of ashes hidden under the grey carpet in the opposite corner."

Police have made reports of all incidents, advising staff to both review installation of their CCTV equipment and get in touch with the safer neighbourhood and crime prevention teams.

CEO of the award-winning childcare group, June O’Sullivan, defiantly concluded:

"Crime carried out by the disaffected youth of London is one thing, and certainly something we constantly strive to combat here at LEYF, through intervention and proactive support for both parents and children from the earliest possible age.

"But such thoughtless and selfish attacks – at the very heart of the local community, especially where it can only really affect the very young – has to be seen as a truly saddening sign of the times. I therefore urge friends or family of those involved to either come forward – or step in now, to make sure such behaviour is quickly and conclusively stamped out before it’s too late."

More than three years in the making, Carlton Hill Community Nursery is due to finally reveal their ‘Secret Garden’ to local families with an official opening celebration, from 3pm on Friday 12th June.

From our very beginnings in 1903, regular fresh air and outdoor play has always been central to the early years development of all children at LEYF.  And after years of planning and four months of solid re-building and planting, an ‘Open Garden Party’ will officially invite families from the local community to experience the nursery’s inspiring new space first hand!

Throughout the entirety of the project, children at Carlton Hill anxiously watched as new paths and a pond were created, climbing frames were installed and new turf and trees were planted throughout.

Alongside brand new wicker huts and a living willow tunnel, the already popular garden now boasts a fantastic storytelling chair and stools, so the children’s keen appetite for reading can be brought right out into the open! This area of the garden in particular will also remain completely untouched, with minimum pruning, to educate the children about their true, living environment.

With a purpose-designed shelter, offering a home area, water area and tables for outdoor activities, the children will also be able to use the revitalised space whatever the weather.

As always at LEYF, children were actively involved in the planning process for the exciting new venture.  In this case, after a group outing to Homebase, children were given the chance to choose a variety of plants and vegetables they wanted to see grow in the garden.  With input from the staff, nursery chef and parents, children from the nursery chose to plant potatoes, carrots, beetroot, tomatoes, strawberries, beans, parsnips and lettuce.

While the space was re-opened to the children at the beginning of April, the garden gates will officially be opened with a public party this Friday afternoon, 12th June, from 3pm - and all local families are invited!  Activities on offer during the afternoon will include a children’s entertainer, sandwiches and cakes for all to enjoy - so make a date now and come along to say hello!

Marion Breslin, Nursery Manager of Carlton Hill commented:

“We are extremely lucky to have such a large and wonderful outdoor space and are very thankful to Westminster City Council Children’s Centres for the funding to do this project.”

“The garden is now a fantastic learning environment for our children.”

Cllr Mark Page, Westminster Council's Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said:

“The garden at Carlton Hill has been completely transformed and children will be able to take advantage of an excellent outdoor play area.

“Our aim is to provide the best possible start in life for every child in Westminster and this revamped outdoor space will enhance young people's learning experiences.”

Taking place during the 12th National Childcare Week, the event further aims to promote the importance of investing in childcare and contributing to children’s play and learning.

This coming week we're bringing families together at LEYF, with hundreds of record-setting, action-packed, heart warming and just plain fantastic family events and competitions happening all across the UK!

As an organisation that has been supporting children and their families since 1903, LEYF is a proud supporter of the event - and will be getting involved in a number of ways.

For starters, National Family Week will find us at three local showcase events across Westminster from Tuesday May 26, inviting families to get to know us a little better - whilst they have the perfect chance to discover a wide range of other services also available in the area.

If you want to come along and say hello - and more importantly ask us any questions you might have about childcare or our award-winning community nurseries in particular - you will find us eager to help between 11am-3pm at each of the below locations:

- Tuesday 26th May / Abbey Community Centre, 34 Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BU
- Wednesday 27th May / Beethoven Centre, Third Avenue, W10 4JL
- Thursday 28th May / Greenside Community Centre, 24 Lilestone Street, NW8 8SR

There will be a range of activities available at these events, including the ever-popular face-painting, so please come out and get to know your neighbours and our ever friendly and eager staff!

For more information on the nationwide event, click here and for family-related special offers linked to the week-long event, click here.

After the showcase events, two of our nurseries will be going that little bit further on Friday May 29.

Extending a specially warm welcome to families in central London, both Holcroft and Abbots Manor will be throwing their doors open to any parents looking to get first-hand experience of what to expect from the very heart of a LEYF community nursery - something even the best glossy brochure or trusted word of mouth can't hope to match!

With special activities planned for both parents and their children to really get a feeling for our special brand of childcare, anyone with an interest in sending their child to nursery at LEYF should make a date and a beeline for the following...

- LEYF Open Days at Abbots Manor and Holcroft Community Nurseries, Friday 29th May, 1-5pm, including...

* FREE Arts & Craft Session at Abbots Manor from 2-4pm.
* FREE Healthy Eating Workshop at Holcroft from 3-5pm.

Whilst parents are welcome to simply drop in to either of the above events, we recommend you call or email in advance to avoid disappointment due to high levels of expected demand! Simply click on the links above for directions and to get in touch with either nursery.

Further afield, in Barking & Dagenham, our more recent additions to the LEYF family of community nurseries and Children's Centres are more than doing their bit to celebrate Family Week.

On Tuesday Furze will be having lots of fun activities going on - with songs, rhymes and music reflecting the diverse cultural backgrounds of the children and families at the nursery,

On Wednesday, staff, children and their families will be going to St Chads Park for a Teddy Bears Picnic at 12.30pm. The event is being done in partnership with the Children's Centre, with local press apparently in attendance - so plenty of chance for children and their parents to get themselves in print!

On Thursday, Furze are inviting parents to their Cooking Workshop, encouraging and helping them to cook with the children - and hopefully share one or two secret family recipes!

Finally, there are plans for an Afternoon Tea Party from 3pm on Friday May 29, with lots of creative activities, music and dance thrown in for good measure.

Everyone's welcome at any of these events - and the team look forward to sharing photos of the fun had soon after!

A little further south, on Thursday May 28, children and their parents will get a chance to see and speak with staff from Ford Road and Leys - as they get actively involved in the local communityevent in the park.

Due to start at 11am and finish at 2pm, visitors to the event are likely to see a number of circle-based activities - including Hook the Duck, Score a Goal, Been Bags in a Bucket, Bowling, Sift the Sand and an additional guessing game for those with any energy left after all the above!

At the heart of the circle, even more fun is expected - with games such as Parachute, Toddle Races, not to mention the old favourite Egg & Spoon race - with a crafts area and Hockey for older children also planned.

Finally, joint events specific to our own nurseries are also in the works - including a Big Read and another ever-popular Teddy Bears Picnic, again at Ford Road and Leys Children's Centres.

So make sure you stay in close contact with your local team for further details - and whatever you choose to do, get out with your children and celebrate National Family Week in style!

Today, March 18th, marks the the tenth anniversary of the Labour Government's historic promise to end child poverty in a generation.

As one of many members of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, we are all asking the Prime Minster the same simple question:

"Will you keep your promise Gordon, and improve the lives of millions of UK children living in poverty today?"

As the recession bites, an investment of at least £3 billion would provide a vital timely and targeted injection into families in our poorest communities who are hardest hit.

Without this £3bn in the forthcoming budget, the Government will be 700,000 children short of its target to halve child poverty by 2010.

At LEYF, we work with local parents to support the early years learning and development of over 600 children at LEYF - from both greater or lesser advantaged backgrounds; so we can only echo these sentiments and urge positive and committed action by the Government, to stand by its original promise.

An end to child poverty across London and the rest of the UK is clearly needed, now more than ever, to secure a future of equal opportunities for generations of our children to come.

As the chattering throng of children bustle for best position, David Neil – specially trained Chef based at Westminster Children’s Society’s Katharine Bruce Day Nursery – is about to introduce his eager audience of under 5s to a whole new world of fun, with fresh food.

A newcomer to LEYF will quickly recognise a typical day at any one of the award-winning group’s 18 nurseries:  a wide range of inspiring play-based activities, geared to build confidence, self-awareness and develop key social skills.  But more importantly, when it comes to mealtimes, a very audible love of good food!

Having already started work on the 2nd edition of their popular cookbook for parents, enthusiastic nursery staff at LEYF are proud of the company’s track record in promoting a positive attitude to healthy eating from the earliest age possible – which also involves children in the planning of their own nutritious menus.

June O’Sullivan, Chief Executive of LEYF commented:

“LEYF has long been committed to opening children’s eyes and taste buds to the range of food readily available, to both them and their parents.

“Aside from the fresh food served up in our nurseries every day, long-standing initiatives such as Fish Fridays, dreamt up by our chefs and nursery staff themselves, along with regular exposure to new and exciting delicacies – often inspired by the diverse backgrounds of the families themselves – can only help put children on the right road to a healthy eating future.

“We strongly believe in not waiting until children reach primary school age to get it right when it comes to having an awareness of good food and having an appetite for healthy eating.

“As a result of which, we have no fear of food amongst our children at LEYF!”
 
Working just as closely with parents through regular workshops, the LEYF approach to food education is a simple one here too – giving them greater confidence in the kitchen when it comes to family mealtimes, along with tips on how to provide a balanced, but crucially exciting diet that will leave nothing but a trail of ‘happy plates’ in its wake.

Back in the kitchen, following a successful 20 year career as a restaurant chef, David has now been cooking exclusively for children under 5 for the last 5 years.  He added:

“Cooking in the nursery is much more hands on – and working at LEYF in particular far more enjoyable than what I was used to before.

“Every day I get to prepare a variety of nutritional meals from scratch; using fresh and where possible local or organic food.  In the past, food was often brought in.

“Also, there is far more thought given to food at LEYF – with direct and practical input from our team of 14 specially trained chefs really making a difference to how children experience and learn about healthy eating in all our 18 nurseries.

“We also work closely with parents, either managing genuine dietary requirements – or helping to gradually overcome any apparent food phobias.

“At the end of the day, the main thing is to introduce children to the joys and variety of simple, healthy eating; knocking out good food that kids love!”

In recognition of their innovation with food education – including the creation of a unique in-house nutritional programme, a first for the sector and a direct result of input from their passionate team of chefs – this morning’s cook-up has a very special additional guest, in the form of Ben Bradshaw MP, Minister of State for Health.

On his visit to the local community nursery near Queens Park, the Health Minister commented:

“We know how important it is to encourage children to eat well at an early age.

“The work being done by London Early Years Foundation – not only to encourage healthy eating at their nurseries but also to involve children in cooking and preparing meals – is a great example of what can be done to provide youngsters with the knowledge and experience that will help them lead healthier, happier lives.”

Cllr Sarah Richardson, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services in Westminster also said:

“Westminster is encouraging healthy lifestyles for our children through a focus on sports and healthy school meals and I'm delighted that children in LEYF nurseries will now also focus on healthy eating.

“At a time when obesity is a national concern, Westminster Council will continue to ensure that the health of its young people remains a top priority.”

Also supporting this week’s broader Healthy Body, Happy Me campaign from the NDNA, it looks like healthy eating, happy children will long be key features on the menu wherever the chefs from LEYF have their way.

With front page reports in several newspapers yesterday, citing parents' frustration at the number of school and nursery closures across the country since Monday, London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) showed once again why it was recently voted Nursery World Chain of the Year 2008.

With 18 community nurseries and Children's Centres in Camden, Barking & Dagenham and Westminster, staff from across LEYF showed great spirit in their efforts to reach work earlier this week, despite widespread transport chaos. In fact, quite incredibly, several centres at the well-known childcare charity managed to open on Monday - the first and worst day of the recent climate trouble - with the remaining centres opening from Tuesday, and normal hours fully resumed across the group from Wednesday.

June O’Sullivan, Chief Executive of LEYF, commented:

"With our staff already showing fantastic commitment to their work - in cases travelling up to 4 hours a day as a matter of course - this is yet more great evidence of how we continue to put the interests of our children and parents first.

"Whilst it has been far from easy for most of our staff to struggle into work under such extreme weather conditions - in many cases, having to finally give up and return home through lack of available public transport, especially in central London - we were very conscious how the majority of our parents relied on us and the service we provide at LEYF, with no extended family or other more local childcare services to fall back on at such short notice.

"Just because it suddenly decides to snow - even if it is the largest volume to fall in almost 20 years - it doesn't mean our parents can suddenly afford to stay home from work; and the same is true of our staff.

"We are so proud of the continual dedication of the talented team of people we have working for us here at LEYF."

"Finally, I would like to say a personal ‘thankyou’ to those parents unable to bring their children into nursery this week - for their patience and bearing with us where closures were inevitable.

"Despite the inherent issues with unplanned events like this, we trust you all made the most of the unexpected time with your children. After all, there can surely be no more special gift than that of quality time spent with family."

Carla Simpson, Nursery Trainee at Carlton Hill and with LEYF for the past 18 months, added:

"The children loved making snowmen and having snow fights - feeling the texture of ice on their hands, feeling how cold it was. And spontaneous group play like this is fantastic for a child's personal, social and emotional development.

"It was also a great chance for both staff and children to just get outdoors together and have some fun in the very crisp, fresh air!"

The persistent economic outlook may have been gloomy, but as staff at LEYF Marsham Street Children’s Centre arrived at work in the early hours of this morning, there was a palpable sense of excitement and optimism in the air – even if rain clouds seemed determined to remain.

First of all, the charity and social enterprise had just been voted first ever Chain of the Year at the inaugural Nursery World Awards on Friday night – overcoming stiff competition from 5 other finalists from across the UK. Whilst only a few hours earlier that day, rumours had started to circulate about two very special guests planning to visit the popular centre, early on Monday.

Then at 8:25 this morning – with press, photographers and camera crews all poised and at the ready – the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown, along with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt. Hon. Alistair Darling, entered the warm and welcoming reception at 121 Marsham Street, SW1 (barely a stone’s throw from their own Downing street residence), to the delight of everyone present.

And with a tough day ahead – with Darling due to announce possibly the most important and eagerly anticipated pre-budget report in recent history – both men were probably relieved and certainly relaxed to find themselves chatting with such accommodating children, parents and staff; as typical morning routines including breakfast carried on much like on any other typical day in the popular community nursery.

June O’Sullivan, Chief Executive of LEYF and leading figure in the sector, commented:

"Due to our central London location, we often find ourselves opening our doors to special guests from a number of government departments, especially when there is a specific issue to discuss relating to the welfare of children and parents.

"However, it is obviously a very special occasion and great privilege to host a visit from not just one but two of possibly the most important political figures of the moment; and certainly on such a day as today.

"It is especially timely with so many of our own families feeling the pressure in the current economic climate; a fact we obviously felt obliged to bring to the attention of both the Prime Minister and Chancellor – along with a plea for further specific support for the sector at large!"

Cllr Sarah Richardson, Westminster's cabinet member for children's services, praised the children and staff at the Marsham Street Nursery, and said it was a testament to their hard work that the Prime Minister and Chancellor had chosen to visit them:

"It is good to see Government taking an interest in the lives of children and families in Westminster. Minds have no doubt been focused on the pre-budget report, but I hope the chancellor remembers that his plans to stimulate the economy have to make a real difference to individual families like those attending this nursery if they are to be a success."

Whilst the Prime Minister’s personal experience of his own two young children clearly gave him a natural edge and genuine appreciation for the morning’s proceedings, both figures were more than happy to share a child’s eye view at the nursery’s breakfast tables, whilst chatting openly with many of the children, parents and staff from the neighbouring community.

The Prime Minister, commented:

"I was delighted to visit Marsham Street Children’s Centre this morning and to see at first-hand the excellent facilities and to meet the dedicated staff and happy youngsters.

"I would also like to congratulate Westminster Children’s Society on winning the Nursery Chain of the Year Award on Friday. We want every child to get the best possible start in life which is why high-quality, affordable early learning like this is so important. Congratulations to all."

And once the surprisingly relaxed visit was over, it was time for the day’s normal service to resume; although, we suspect, the experience is one few from the centre will forget in a hurry!

After weeks of preparation and months of anticipation, the childcare sector’s event of the year had finally arrived.

From over 200 initial entries, and from a shortlist made up of 6 equally impressive nursery groups with 3 or more settings, LEYF finally emerged victorious – much to the palpable delight and tumultuous celebration of the 10 randomly-selected staff present at the ceremony!

In awarding LEYF the accolade, the judging panel - made up of 18 prominent figures from across the sector - commented:

"It is the everyday effect its dedicated staff has on families that makes LEYF so deserving of this award."

So, on behalf of everyone at LEYF, we would just like to thank all staff, trustees, parents and children that made our much coveted award possible – and continue to make it such a pleasure and honour to work for such a unique and highly regarded organisation.

Well done everybody ...!

An incredible gathering of great minds took place at the House of Commons last Thursday evening; to debate the possibilities offered by social enterprise to the long-term sustainability of childcare provision across London.

Effectively the culmination of a series of smaller roundtable events held over the past year by award-winning childcare charity and social enterprise, Westminster Children’s Society (LEYF), their second Annual Margaret Horn Lecture proved a roaring success.

With almost a hundred people in attendance, the prestigious committee room at the very heart of parliament was at near capacity – with guests ranging from the seldom shared worlds of childcare, social enterprise, politics, academia and government, both local and national.

June O’Sullivan, CEO of LEYF, commented:

"We are absolutely delighted with not only the turnout for what is only our second event, but also the quality of contribution made from all sides. In an economic climate so fraught with fresh pitfalls for our sector, it is extremely encouraging to find such tremendous support from so many often unconnected quarters.

"After this evening’s success, it fills me with great confidence; not only for the full launch of our own Enterprising Childcare Network, but also the childcare sector at large.

"In fact, from where I sat this evening, I had a real sense that we are now looking out onto a world of truly great possibility; to improve the lives of children and parents everywhere for a long time to come. As such, despite the often gloomy outlook of the day, I do believe it is a very exciting time for us all."

Full details of the Enterprising Childcare Network will be announced in the New Year. In the meantime, settings interested in receiving more information should email networks@leyf.org.uk.

There’s a palpable sense of anticipation in the air – and for LEYF staff involved for the first-time with this event, one of almost tangible over-excitement …

At least, that’s the expected outlook when we officially launch our new Enterprising Childcare Network next Thursday evening, November 20th, at an exclusive event to celebrate the increasingly popular Social Enterprise Day at the Houses of Parliament.

Having managed to secure one of the world's leading experts on Social Enterprise in the form of Lord Andrew Mawson OBE – founder and president of the renowned Bromley-by-Bow Centre in East London and co-founder and president of Community Action Network (CAN) – the prestigious event, officially titled Social Enterprise as the Future of Childcare in the UK, promises to be both entertaining, informative and not least a little inspirational.

Lord Mawson leads the lecture with a personal retelling of his amazing story, followed by an open question and answer session with a panel of similarly distinguished and diverse special guests – not to mention a raft of key players from across the worlds of Politics, Academia, Local Government, Social Enterprise and Childcare.

A now firmly established event on the childcare calendar, The Annual Margaret Horn Lecture is held by LEYF each year to promote and challenge the latest issues of importance to the childcare sector.

This year, the topic for debate is Social Enterprise: does it represent a real solution to the current crisis in community childcare or is it little more than the latest buzzword; a hollow promise?  How might Social Enterprise provide one route to sustainability – and at the same time help further push professional childcare’s contribution to the social justice agenda?

With the current spectre of economic gloom around almost every corner, this timely event will also be the first chance for so many independent childcare providers to hear about new plans from LEYF for their soon-to-be-launched Enterprising Childcare Network, in partnership with Social Enterprise London, the Social Enterprise Coalition, Social Firms, Daycare Trust and the NDNA.

June O’Sullivan, Chief Executive of LEYF commented:

“It’s an amazing privilege and pleasure for everyone at LEYF to have the support of the Houses of Parliament, and in particular the Rt. Hon. Karen Buck MP, for our Annual Margaret Horn Lecture this year.

“It’s also a very exciting moment in our history.  For the first time, we feel confident enough in what we do in our own settings to reach out and not only continue the dialogue begun with our recent Social Enterprise Roundtable events, but more crucially start working together directly with other nurseries and sector organisations across London – to ensure the long term sustainability of what we do; and for the very tangible benefit of children, parents and the communities for whom we all work so hard.

“As far as we are concerned at LEYF – and not least in challenging times like these – there really cannot be any true competition where childcare is concerned.  Quite simply, we all have a responsibility to pool our thinking and resources to make sure the best providers are fit to go the distance, to carry on the tremendous work they have been doing - so often on a shoestring - for so many years already.

“Hopefully this event will prove not only of great interest and some entertainment (we are hardly true academic types after all), but more crucially will give groups from across the sector significant food for thought – in terms of the importance of social enterprise as a possible, if not leading, solution in the long term sustainability of childcare in the UK.”

Due to the very limited number of spaces, LEYF is urging any organisations interested in the issue of sustainability in the childcare sector to contact them as soon as possible, by emailing events@leyf.org.uk.

On Saturday October 4th 2008, thousands of young people and families from across the country will come together in London’s Trafalgar Square, to demand the Government keep their promise to End Child Poverty.

With the next budget seen as the last realistic chance for the Government to meet their own 2010 target, the event represents the biggest single opportunity for everyone concerned - to set the agenda for the following parliamentary session.

As an organisation fundamentally committed to the same goal - through the work we do with children and parents - LEYF is naturally keen to support this campaign.  As such, we are asking parents, friends and colleagues to consider how they might get involved with 'Keep The Promise'.

The event itself will begin with a short march led by children and families, leaving from from Millbank near Lambeth Bridge at 12.30pm and expected to arrive at Trafalgar Square around 2pm.

Activity in the Square itself will begin around 1pm - with host Chris Parker, aka Spencer Moon from Eastenders and presenter for ITV's This Morning - and will be in full swing when the March arrives.

With children's activities, entertainers and speeches, there will also be a mass moment to ensure the Government hears the strong demand for a better future for all our children.

To tie in with the event, a report looking at the link between poverty and child health was launched last week and is available on the End Child Poverty website here, along with more information about this incredibly important campaign.

There are many ways we can all contribute to this unique day, not least by encouraging parents, friends and colleagues to take part - making sure our sector in particular, along with anyone else working with children or with children of their own, powerfully demonstrate our combined desire for an end to poverty in the UK.

For starters, we would like to encourage anyone living nearby to support the campaign on the day.  You can also write directly to the Prime Minister to demand he keeps his promise made to millions of UK children living in poverty today.  In either case, simply follow either of these two links: www.tinyurl.com/KeepThePromise or www.tinyurl.com/KeepThePromise-Gordon.

In the meantime, if any of you - especially children or parents - are interested and available to take part in this unique event, by going along to Trafalgar Square on October 4th, please ask your local nursery team for more information.

Situated at 121 Marsham Street, just round the corner from Big Ben and The London Eye, the centre in question is run by Westminster Children’s Society (LEYF) – more typically known for outstanding daycare provision through its 16 nurseries, spanning the capital’s boroughs of Barking & Dagenham, Camden and of course Westminster.

As a core pillar of the early years offering at LEYF (now more than 105 years young), the centre offers high quality work-related training for both LEYF employees and staff from across the early years sector; making sure London’s children and parents receive the best possible service from fully trained, confident and inspiring childcare professionals.

Following a recent visit to the centre by the programme's external verifier, the LEYF assessment centre, first registered in 1992, scored the highest possible mark for the second time in a row – following scrutiny of its managing systems, resources, candidate support, assessment, internal verification, quality assurance, records and continuous improvement. 

In the report, the centre was praised for its proactivity "in contacting outside sources for networking purposes as well as offering their own facilities to others."  The verifier was also noted how "staff are well motivated by a senior management structure".

Neil King, Learning, Development & Research Manager at LEYF, commented:

"This is just another fantastic result for our centre – especially coinciding with the official start of the EYFS across the sector.  I am incredibly proud of all our assessors and centre coordinator Gill Springer.

“To receive top marks for a second consecutive time is simply the best possible testament to all the time and hard work put in by our passionate staff – once again making sure that LEYF is at the very forefront of not only nursery provision but also training within the childcare sector."

Repeating the centre's previous clean sweep, their second ‘Exemplary Performance’ status 1.0 represents the highest possible grade an NVQ Assessment Centre can hope to achieve – so congratulations and thanks on behalf of LEYF to all those involved!

Approached as leading examples of Outstanding childcare, both Lisson Green and Luton Street were each singled out today, to support the launch of Ofsted's latest report "Leading to Excellence" - with literally hordes of press, photographers and film crews flashing like the Paparazzi!

Whilst live reports on the national BBC and ITV news have passed, you can still catch one of the TV reports online by clicking here — where Nina Nana interview’s Emma Knight of the Daycare Trust at our very own Luton Street Community Nursery.

If you have any comments on the findings of the report - available to read in full here - please let us know, as we're always keen to hear them.

Until then, I would personally like to congratulate all staff involved in helping us to support the media on this occasion - especially at such incredibly short notice in the case of David, his team and the irrepressible children at Luton Street!

As for Julie and her team at Lisson Green, it was an incredible sight to see and a great example of everyone working together.

Here at LEYF, we are always keen to promote the importance of freshly cooked meals available to our children - and proud of the real variety and quality on offer, thanks to our team of qualified and talented Chefs!

However, it is not that often this area of our service gets the recognition it clearly deserves.  But that all changed yesterday, when the hub of our many culinary masterpieces in Ford Road - otherwise known as 'the kitchen' - was given a 5 star rating (Full Marks) from the local Barking & Dagenham Council; and with no recommendations!

Part of the Food Safety Act 1990 - otherwise known as 'Scores on the Doors' - the inspection was the second this year for our first nursery in the Essex borough.

The Inspector was impressed with both our paperwork and the knowledge of our Chef, Gladys.  Perhaps most encouraging of all, it was the first time the Inspector had given the full grade - so hats off all round ... and lunch at your place??

It is difficult sometimes, being a working parent - not least with the mixed messages of how this might affect the development of your child.

Whilst we are always encouraging at LEYF of the benefits to both parents and children of this lifestyle choice, it is always reassuring to hear the same from a more independent source!  To this end, a new survey has just been published by the Jobcentre Plus, having polled 429 readers of That's Life! magazine about their attitudes to work.

To read the article, simply click here.

We hope the results of the survey prove a further, much deserved boost to all our own working parents - giving your children the best start in life with such great role models!

A family from Carlton Hill Community Nursery joined June O'Sullivan, Chief Executive of LEYF, in greeting the Prime Minister Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP at No. 10 Downing Street this evening - to launch Daycare Trust's 11th annual National Childcare Week.

With the theme of "Building Brighter Futures", National Childcare Week is running from 2-9 June 2008. The week-long event is designed to promote the importance of investing in childcare, out-of-school activities and early years provision - all of which strengthens and contributes to children's play and learning in childcare settings across the country.

Aimed at children aged 2-14, the competition was split into two categories, each then divided into three age groups. Winners each received a prize for themselves and their childcare setting/school.

The first and most relevant competition, attracting a number of entries across London Early Years Foundation's now 18 Nurseries and Children's Centres, asked children to choose their favourite book and design a new cover for it.

Representing the nursery, which came 2nd in last year's competition, Nina Smith, Deputy Manager at Carlton Hill, commented "It was a real once in a lifetime experience!"

Speaking ahead of the launch Prime Minister Gordon Brown spoke out in support of the events planned:

"High standard childcare and early learning give children the very best start in life, as well as helping parents balance the demands of work and family life. National Childcare Week is a great way to mark the importance of childcare and I extend my best wishes to all those parents, childcare professionals and young people up and down the country who are taking part in events to mark it."

Joint Chief Executive of Daycare Trust, Alison Garnham further commented:

"Quality, affordable childcare is vital for children, helping them grow and develop, and of course it enables both mums and dads to work, study and train. In the long term, providing the right childcare will even help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and help create a better, happier society."

Expressing views strongly held here at LEYF, we would like to congratulate all children and settings that entered the competition - and look forward to hearing about all the fun activities planned for this unique week of celebration!

An established and much respected charity founded back in 1903, London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) was invited earlier this week to speak at Charity Bank's Annual Open Day.

With a theme of "Creating a Different World", June O'Sullivan was asked to give a short presentation about the work we do here at LEYF, with a particular focus on how Charity Bank has helped us change lives in the communities we strive to support.

Already a featured Case Study in Charity Bank's Annual Review, LEYF was proud to be asked to participate at the London event and looks forward to working with the organisation again in the future.

Every year over four million used printer cartridges end up in landfill sites, with only 15% of all original inkjets sold finding their way back to the recycling market.

At LEYF, we are committed to protecting the environment for our children - not only in the way we behave personally, but by the examples we set and the green projects we encourage and reward in our nurseries.

With this goal and such incredible statistics in mind, LEYF has just signed up to a fantastic new and simple service - offering to collect and recycle used inkjets and old mobile phones (including accessories), whilst at the same time giving a cash donation for your favourite charity!

For every single 'virgin' inkjet cartridge (i.e. one that has never been recycled before), LEYF will receive a donation of £1 - at absolutely no cost to you!

Suitable cartridges include those from Hewlett Packard, Lexmark, Canon, Samsung, Dell - but unfortunately NOT Epson. Also, cartidges must be the small type that fit into palm of your hand.

When it comes to your old mobile phone, however, the service will collect and recycle ALL models! For these, 50% of the recycled value will be donated to your chosen charity - with some phones worth over £30 in donation value alone!

Unwanted mobiles are reconditioned and shipped to developing countries for reuse or simply recycled for their base materials in a more responsible manner, here in the UK.

So, for more information on this fantastic new service - and to help support both LEYF and the environment at the same time - simply click here or drop off your old cartridges and phones at your nearest LEYF Community Nursery!

Earlier this month, Abbots Manor became the latest LEYF Community Nursery to receive an 'Outstanding' judgment from OFSTED inspectors - this time for Education.

Despite recent claims against OFSTED in the press, the recent inspection provided a great chance to see not only another LEYF Nursery judged so highly in the quality of support given to children and parents in the local community, but also the real depth of investigation provided by OFSTED inspectors - responsible for ensuring standards of provision across the country.

For parents less familiar with how OFSTED works, the surprise inspection took place over the course of two days and considered provision in two categories, namely Care and Education - in each case assessing the following Five Outcomes for children identified in the green paper Every Child Matters:

• Being healthy


• Staying safe


• Enjoying and achieving


• Making a positive contribution


• Economic well-being

For Abbots Manor, this resulting judgment was a 'Good' for Care (with two of the five sections rated as 'Good' and three 'Outstanding') and an 'Outstanding' for Education (all five sections rated 'Outstanding').

In this respect, parents should know that such results specifically describe provision as "strong" and "of exceptionally high quality".

David Stevens, Nursery Manager, comments:

"We're over the moon, delighted - extremely proud of the team and children. To get that judgment reinforces the good service we give to children here at LEYF Abbots Manor. And to have our approach to education of children in particular rubber stamped by OFSTED simply blows us away."

The inspector herself also commented that the nursery helped children to "reach the next level", had wonderful language groups and stated the children were "well supported and directed by staff", further commenting that it is "not often settings receive such a high mark in this area".

Finally, the inspector commented that children?s behaviour was well managed and parents were given lots of verbal exchange with "a wide range of creative opportunities" - also noting how the children loved building!

Extremely pleased with the result, everyone at LEYF would like to thank both parents and carers for their continued support - and once again congratulate colleagues at LEYF Abbots Manor!

A copy of the full report will soon be available to read on the OFSTED website.

Anybody watching the BBC Whistleblower programme on TV last night will have been as shocked and concerned as everyone here at LEYF. To think such an appalling standard of childcare can exist in today's society is clearly unacceptable.

At LEYF, we would like to reassure all parents, children and friends that we are fully committed to continuing the quality provision of childcare across all our 15 Community Nurseries that we have developed a reputation for since opening our first nursery in 1931.

In particular, we would like to stress:

• Ratios of children to carers across all our nurseries is always geared to meet the national requirements set by OFSTED, with a ready supply of extra staff on hand in the case of regular staff absence.
• We pride ourselves not only in the quality and checks involved in our recruitment process, but also in the ongoing close relationship we enjoy with not only staff, but also our children and parents.
• LEYF operates an 'Open Door' policy and regularly welcomes visits at all our nurseries from parents, members of national and local government or industry inspectors.
• We are proud to have been not only approved by OFSTED, following extremely thorough inspections and reports on every occasion, but also to have been awarded the first 'Outstanding' in Westminster for our Queensborough Community Nursery. In fact, the same setting also received a second 'Outstanding' in 2007 for 'the impact of leadership and management in full day care on outcomes for children and their families'.
• We hold regular reviews of all our procedures to ensure the children and parents we work with get the best possible service available across the sector at all times.

With a history going back as far as 1903, London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) opened its first nursery in 1931. Fast forward to 2008 and the organisation - which is leading the way as model of social enterprise in childcare - has already celebrated two brand new openings in as many months, with two more to follow later this year.

Its first nursery outside of Westminster, Ford Road Children's Centre opened its freshly painted doors only last month. Working in close partnership with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, the incredible new development was designed 'in the round' and promises great links in future with the neighbouring school. A passionate and devoted team is already busy, inspiring children and parents, looking forward to the months and years ahead at the heart of their new community.

Toby Kinder, Group Manager for Children's Centres commented:

"Working with LEYF is like a breath of fresh air. They have been dynamic, responsive and innovative - ready to offer creative solutions to familiar problems; and to compromise when the realities of working within the local government framework make this necessary".

The second nursery opening for LEYF came just last week - with the organisation's first setting in the London Borough of Camden. For this location, LEYF was able to establish a close relationship with established local community group the Fitzrovia Trust.

Founded in 1985, the charitable trust was set up to encourage affordable housing in the heart of London's West End - and so were a natural partner for LEYF when it came to provision of childcare along similar principles.

Enjoying their new surroundings - and despite changeable weather as ever in London - both staff and children alike were full of the joys of Spring in Fitzrovia this week; keen to explore every corner of the newly refurbished space, as the photo clearly shows!

With 15 nurseries now established across the capital - and at least two more due to open between May and September later this year - LEYF continues to demostrate their commitment in extending such a unique approach to early years education and remain tremendously grateful to all those involved in supporting their work.

As part of our ongoing commitment to providing the best possible start for all children at LEYF, we are proud to say that we are not only fully prepared for the official implementation of the new government EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) curriculum in September - but are already well ahead of the game!

To this end, we have set out to identify good practice, measure ourselves against it and are developing a system that will allow us to both raise quality and implement the new curriculum at the same time.

We have also launched an EYFS implementation project to involve staff, parents and children in bringing the curriculum alive ? and using the EYFS as a benchmark, have gone beyond the minimum standards expected to create a higher ?LEYF Standard? across for our nurseries.

We're looking forward to contributions from parents ery soon via the website and parent survey - so watch this space!

Approached as leading examples of Outstanding childcare, both Lisson Green and Luton Street were each singled out last month, to support the launch of Ofsted's latest report "Leading to Excellence" - with literally hordes of press, photographers and film crews flashing like the Paparazzi!

Whilst live reports on the national BBC and ITV news have passed, you can still catch one of the TV reports online by clicking here - to see Nina Nana interview Emma Knight of the Daycare Trust at our very own Luton Street Community Nursery!
 
If you have any comments on the findings of the report - which you can read in full here - please let us know, as we're always keen to hear them.

Until then, I would personally like to congratulate all staff involved in helping us to support the media on this occasion — especially at such incredibly short notice in the case of David, his team and the irrepressible children at Luton Street!

As for Julie and her team at Lisson Green, it was an incredible sight to see and a great example of everyone working together.

Approached as leading examples of Outstanding childcare, both Lisson Green and Luton Street were each singled out today, to support the launch of Ofsted's latest report "Leading to Excellence" - with literally hordes of press, photographers and film crews flashing like the Paparazzi!

Whilst live reports on the national BBC and ITV news have passed, you can still catch one of the TV reports online by clicking here — where Nina Nana interview’s Emma Knight of the Daycare Trust at our very own Luton Street Community Nursery.

If you have any comments on the findings of the report - available to read in full here - please let us know, as we're always keen to hear them.

Until then, I would personally like to congratulate all staff involved in helping us to support the media on this occasion - especially at such incredibly short notice in the case of David, his team and the irrepressible children at Luton Street!

As for Julie and her team at Lisson Green, it was an incredible sight to see and a great example of everyone working together.

It is with great pride and pleasure that we announce our brand new nursery at Ford Rd Children's Centre is now open for business!

Our passionate team are currently working hard to get the nursery ready for our first children, due to arrive bright and early next Monday, January 14th.

A big warm LEYF welcome goes out to Wendy Buckingham, joining LEYF as Nursery Manager and Nursery Officer respectively.

Established Nursery Officer Rasika Deshmukh has also transferred over permanently from our Marsham Street nursery - whilst Rowena Relf from the Angel has agreed to transfer to Ford Road to be Nursery Manager

Of course, we are looking forward to recruiting more team members and will send more news as people are appointed.

For those parents keen to visit the nursery, more information will soon be added to the site. In the meantime, contact details can be found below:

Ford Road Children's Centre
Ford Road
Dagenham RM10 9JS

Tel: 0208 724 1384
Email: fordroad@leyf.org.uk

We're sure the team would appreciate your call - and be more than eager to show you around our beautiful new nursery!

All the staff at LEYF would like to wish our children, parents and friends a very Happy New Year!

However you choose to celebrate the period, we hope you all had a great festive break spent with family and friends - and are now feeling fully recharged to make the most of every minute in the days and months ahead.

With an incredibly exciting year before us, we look forward to meeting and speaking with you all again very soon!

Still basking in the glow of their original 'Outstanding' award from OFSTED in 2006, the same LEYF team at Queensborough Community Nursery, again led by Manager Anjali Deb-Mukherjee, has just become the first recipients of yet another 'Outstanding' - this time based around 'the impact of leadership and management in full day care on outcomes for children and their families'.

With visits being made to a cross-section of full day care settings across England, the objective for OFSTED was to explore specific issues relating to leadership and management and to investigate the need for future developments - in particular covering recruitment and retention of staff, qualifications and training, along with staff roles in leadership and management of provision and learning at various levels.

During their visit on 16 October 2007, OFSTED officials held interviews with staff, along with informal discussions with parents. In addition, relevant documentation was scrutinised with further analysis of children's records of achievement and observations of several sessions

As a result, the overall quality and effectiveness of the impact of leadership and management was judged to be outstanding, in particular:

• on outcomes for children and their families.


• on the quality of what the setting provides.


• on inclusion.

A copy of the award letter has already been sent to the Director of Children's Services in Westminster and is due to be published on the main Ofsted website. Click here see us on the list of Outstanding Providers on Ofsted's special page showcasing outstanding provision in Greater London (the Westminster section is towards the bottom of the page). The report will also be available to the inspector that carries out our next inspection.

"We are pleased that our practice is of such high standard, not once but twice!" said Nursery Manager, Anjali Deb-Mukherjee.

"The staff team has a great deal of respect for the professional qualities we all share, with everyone having something unique to offer. The very same qualities are reflected in the LEYF ethos and very much part of Queensborough nursery's practice. Still, it's even more rewarding to be complimented on how well we worked together as a team."

"Consistent staffing at Queensborough has allowed individuals to develop within a supportive, safe and secure working environment - where members of staff are always willing and able to improve. This in turn can only further benefit the local community, providing a high quality of childcare for all the families who quickly become part of the LEYF family."

All in all, a perfect testimony to the ongoing efforts and successes for all concerned - further encouraging and supporting the continued provision of quality and affordable daycare for the children and families in our 14 nurseries across Westminster.

Everyone at LEYF would like to extend a massive thank you and congratulations to the team at Queensborough that helped make the 'Outstanding' result possible!

We are absolutely delighted to announce that we have now established 'The Charlotte Grobien Fund'.

An incredible donation of £6,000, the funds have been earmarked to assist children who's parents suddenly find themselves in difficulty and need fees covered whilst a long-term solution is found.

More importantly, this now means we can finally provide a number of emergency places to children - and help other parents with the deposit, enabling them to pay it back in smaller amounts over a period of time.

As a result, nurseries should no longer have the painful task of having to turn families away.

A full 'Pink Envelope' day will soon be announced to mark the occasion. In the meantime, considerable thanks go out from LEYF to Charlotte at www.give-it-away.co.uk for her tremendous generosity!

LEYF is delighted to congratulate Alice Sharp, our long standing training associate from Experiential Play in Glasgow, who won the 'Lecturer of the Year Award' at the Early Years Educator awards last night.

We thoroughly endorse this award as Alice is a fun, informative and exciting lecturer and presenter and has enthralled her audiences all over the UK. We will be welcoming her and her colleagues Marie Richardson and Yvonne Smillie to head our third annual Early Years Practitioner Conference. The event is called 'Wonderbox' and will take place on the 27th September 2007 at 121 Marsham Street in Central London. There are still places available! Click here to go to our conferences page for more information and a link to the booking form.

Last week the Northampton Advisory Teachers Team visited our Lisson Green, Queensborough and Marsham Street Community Nurseries and the Team Leader Vicky McEwan sent us this thank you note:

" We really enjoyed our day and found the visits very informative.
We were very interested in the way you all plan and how much this is developed by the children themselves. It was also interesting to contrast your outdoor spaces with those our settings have and how fully you utilised the spaces - I will think of the amazing use of outdoor space at Queensborough when settings tell me their space is too small for them to have lots of experiences.
We would be very happy to facilitate a visit by your staff to some of our children's centres."

LEYF staff attended the 2007 Early Education Childhood Education Research Association Annual Conference in Prague last week. For more details on the conference please visit the conference website at www.easyprague.cz/eecera2007/.

The small group of LEYF staff included Nursery Managers and a Senior Practitioner and they made the most of the conference to catch up on the latest in research. LEYF Chief Executive, June O'Sullivan, delivered a very successful seminar (standing room only!) on the use of email to support children’s exploration of different cultural heritage. Here is the abstract from her paper on which the seminar was based:>.

This action research was carried out between two nurseries one in Iceland and the other in London. It arose after a visit from an Icelandic nursery team provoked London colleagues to consider how best to form a relationship to help the children explore cultural differences from their own nursery. The result was establishing a shared e-pal friendship and leading to the following question:

The project is ongoing and the emerging impression is that children are looking at similarities more readily and staff are beginning to see that email or more specifically computer mediated communication is a useful teaching tool to support children achieve the next level of their ZPD.

Contact Us if you would like to know more about the project

Today the WCS NVQ Assessment Centre [now LEYF Learning] passed its regular external evaluation with flying colours. This is a wonderful recognition of the hard work that goes into making LEYF qualifications outstanding. The External Verifier from the CACHE (www.cache.org.uk) described the work of the team as 'Exemplary' - high praise indeed. Please visit our qualification page for more information about the qualifications we offer.

A building that forms the earliest childhood memories of many thousands of people from Westminster and Pimlico formally re-opened its doors 6th July 2007 after the most extensive refurbishment in its history.

London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) has been looking after the area’s youngest residents at its 121 Marsham Street Nursery for 76 years. For the past two years, the nursery was relocated as the building was totally renovated.

The building now houses the LEYF headquarters, the South Westminster SureStart team, the 50 place Marsham Street Nursery, a family drop-in centre, health and community outreach services, training facilities and a toy library. The family friendly centre offers a wonderfully bright and welcoming space.


The Society was formed in 1903 but didn’t move to Marsham Street until 1931 when it was formally opened by HRH The Duchess of York – the Queen Mother. As a resident of Westminster and mother of two young children herself, the Queen Mother’s interest in child welfare was well-known and she agreed to become the LEYF Patron.

The ‘new’ Marsham Street Children’s Centre was officially opened by The Rt. Honourable Karen Buck M.P, Member of Parliament for Regent’s Park & Kensington North and the LEYF President, The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Carolyn Keen. We had a special guest, Mr Sidney Wright who attended Marsham Street in 1931 when he was 4 years old. His sister, now in her nineties, worked for the organisation and has vivid memories of her time here. The occasion was celebrated with a ribbon cutting by our oldest ex-pupil and current member of staff, Angela Tough who attended the nursery as a child in the 1960’s and Harri Dixon our youngest member of staff who attended our nursery in the 1990’s.

The refurbishment of the new Centre was only possible thanks to funding from many funders including SureStart, the Big Lottery Fund, John Lyon’s Charity, Barclays Wealth and BHP Billiton plc.

LEYF Chief Executive June O’Sullivan said ‘’ today LEYF operates 14 nurseries across Westminster, looking after 800 children under the age of five. It is our privilege to be at the heart of the community and to be able to continue making a difference to local children and families’’.

At Carlton Hill some of the children took part in the National Childcare Week competitions where we had to let the children choose to draw someone that they would like to thank. One of the children, Juliette Leonidas won third prize and received £25 in vouchers for herself and £25 for LEYF Carlton Hill.
At Queensborough, Lola Laws age 3 won second prize in the art competition. She won £50 in vouchers for herself and £50 for LEYF Queensborough. They were both have been invited to collect their prizes at an event at Discover in Stratford, London during National Childcare Week (11-15 June 2007). Lola attended the event with her key-worker Choi. See the Daycare Trust website for more details - www.daycaretrust.org.uk

Would you like a discount card that entitles you to a range of great offers at hundreds of independent shops, and makes a donation to London Early Years Foundation at the same time?

Well now you can with the Wedge Card. The Wedge Card aims to revitalise local communities by offering great discounts to customers using local shops and services. It also supports charities and if you buy a card using the weblink below we will receive £10 out of the £20 cost of the card.

http://www.ncvo.biz/wedgecard/individuals.asp?RO=WCS02

Initially launched in Central London, Wedge is spreading across the capital and out into other cities rapidly, and you'll find a range of fantastic deals exclusive to Wedge Card holders in your local shops. Whether you are buying clothes, books, getting your hair cut or simply eating out, using a Wedge Card you'll be helping us and also helping local businesses to prosper.

Wedge Cards costs just £20 and are valid for one year. Most card holders find that they recoup the initial cost in just a few purchases. Visit www.wedgecard.co.uk to find out what traders have signed up to the scheme.

Please spread the word to family and friends! Many thanks for your support.

We plan to celebrate the official opening of Marsham Street Nursery by hosting a Street Party, and would like to do this as part of the annual SouthWestFEST. As the official opening of the building we will be inviting our supporters and donors, a number of VIP's (such as the Lord Mayor of Westminster) together with past and present pupils. We are actively searching to find the oldest ex-pupil from Marsham Street Nursery to cut the ribbon, and also intend to invite a number of local residents and representatives from local community groups.

LEYF staff (David Stevens, Victoria Lygo and Hilary Colvin) are doing a 17 day trek to Everest Base Camp on the 28th September - 5,357 metres above sea level!

Did you know that many deprived children from inner London have never seen a real field, cow or a sheep?

David, Victoria & Hilary aim to raise funds towards the cost of sending 12 children on a farm holiday in 2008. LEYF is committed to taking as many children as possible to the safe haven of Paddington Farm away from the stresses and bustles of inner city life. For £250 a child will enjoy the farm experience supported by a LEYF staff member. Many of the children attending the LEYF nurseries live in cramped accommodation with little access to outdoor space and very limited knowledge of the countryside.

Visit https://www.bmycharity.com/V2/wcstrek07 to sponsor them.

A reporter from the Guardian newspaper recently visited our Carlton Hill nursery to see the LEYF social enterprise model in action and interview June O'Sullivan, LEYF Chief Executive. Click here to visit the article on the Guardian website.

LEYF Chief Executive, June O'Sullivan, was a key note speaker at the 'Every Child Matters' conference at held at Regents College in January.  Her speech on good practice in early years care and education was very well received and we have just received feedback via the conference organisers.  Attendees described June's speech as:

“June O’Sullivan was very inspiring”

“very connected to the day-to-day realities and opportunities of working with children”

“excellent and inspiring”

“LEYF talk very lively and pragmatism helpful”

“Best part of the day – informed, entertaining but a lot of information”.

National Literacy Trust Case Study: First Steps children's centre and 'A Winter's Tale', Westminster (taken from www.literacytrust.org.uk)

First Steps children's centre, part of Westminster Children's Society [now London Early Years Foundation], has created a reading and writing project called 'A Winter's Tale'.

Through A Winter's Tale we aim to promote positive home links by asking the children to write about their winter experiences, draw pictures or bring in photographs of activities they have participated in this winter. Parents are invited to come into the nursery to read to the children or to make up their own winter's tale, and also share the experiences they had as a child during the winter season.

We also plan to start up a book club, which will enable children to borrow books from us. We will encourage children to write and draw reviews of the books they have read. We aim to have a book of the month, which children can become familiar with and share views on, taking it in turns to borrow the book.

We also want to start a book share, where children will bring in old books that they can donate towards the library, or books to swap with other children.

Excitingly, we have two new additions to the nursery - Holly and Ivy, our reading penguins.

These are going to go home with two different children every evening: the aim is that the child will choose a book to read the penguin at bedtime. They will take home some pencils and penguin paper and write about how they looked after the penguin and about the book they read to Holly or Ivy. We think that this will be a fun way for the children to choose books, try reading books and have stories read to them (and the penguins!)

We hope that this project will keep inspiring new ideas from ourselves, children and parents, and we aim to follow up as many as we are able to. We have only just started our project on writing about experiences, but parents have been very enthusiastic towards this idea. Our parents have taken an interest in the idea of reading to the children as well.

Another idea we have talked about is to lend out equipment (cameras, dictaphones etc) so that parents can make up stories with their children in a variety of ways and record them through different media. We even have some camcorders - this would be another way to share home links and stories.

The book room is now decorated as a 'winter wonderland', so that the children relate the theme to the books. Again, parents have been interested to see this room and how it is relating to our current reading and writing project. We hope that this will thrive as a project and look forward to seeing the end result.

LEYF Chief Executive, June O'Sullivan, was asked to speak at 'Voice 07', a national conference on Social Enterprise in Manchester on 24th January.

June addressed conference delegates to share our expertise in creating a thriving social enterprise in a competitive environment.

"LEYF is making a difference to Inner London society at all levels," said June.

"LEYF has managed to make the Government's 'Every Child Matters' agenda real in Westminster. Our recent 'outstanding' result from OFSTED for our Queensborough nursery was proof positive of the progress we're making.

"If my talk helps to inspire other social enterprises, then it will have been very worthwhile."

For further information on Social Enterprise visit www.socialenterprise.org.uk

It's official - we're outstanding! Well, our Queensborough Nursery is anyway after receiving an "outstanding" rating from OFSTED.

"We're absolutely delighted to receive official recognition of the fact that Queensborough is such a great nursery," said LEYF Chief Executive June O'Sullivan.

"Of course, we'd say that all 15 of our nurseries are outstanding, but when you consider that only two per cent of nurseries inspected by OFSTED receive an 'outstanding outcome' then you can see why this is so special.

"The outstanding rating is testament to the hard work and dedication of manager Anjali Deb-Mukherjee and her team."

LEYF's Queensborough Nursery is in Bayswater. For further information, please contact manager Anjali on 020 7727 9608 or by email at: Queensborough@leyf.org.uk

Congratulations to Emma Townsend and Nichola O'Halloran who were the winners of the Vicky Whitfield Memorial Award at last nights LEYF Award Ceremony.

Emma was given the award as LEYF Newcomer to Early Years this year. She started as a parent in Marsham St and has progressed at rapid speed to completing her level 2 Certificate in Early Years Rees-Mogg Scholarship and getting a merit for her efforts. She now runs the SureStart crèche at First Steps with a graduate from the LSA programme Manwara Ahmed under the guidance of Annmarie Ahtuam. It's been a fascinating journey to observe.

"I am so pleased to win this Award. Westminster Children's Society [now LEYF] really believed in me and I can hardly believe I have come so far so quickly. I am very happy and now I want to do the Learning Support Assistant Award."

The second winner was Nichola O'Halloran from First Steps nursery. Nichola completed the Team Leader Award and the CPD in Special Educational Needs. She again travelled a huge personal journey. To begin with, she was a very nervous anxious student but had triumphed over her anxieties to make a significant difference to the nursery and the organisation both in terms of her learning on the Team Leader Award and her CPD in Special Needs. She gets the award for best contribution from training.

"I am completely shocked I had no idea that I was going to win this Award. I am delighted and appreciate the opportunity, thank you"

Nursery World Exhibition takes place at the Business Design Centre in Islington (29th - 30th September 2006). Visit us at our stand to find out more about our work and working for us. We will delivering three seminars on Saturday.

LEYF announces its second annual Early Years Practitioner Conference. The event is called 'Inside Outside Upside Down' and will take place on the 28th September. Click here to go to our conferences page for more information and a link to the booking form.

Imagine being four years old, travelling half way around the world and being sent to nursery with children who don’t speak your language and staff who may know nothing of your culture. How would you react? And what could and should be done to make your transition better?

The experiences of newly arrived immigrant parents and their children in nurseries will come under the close scrutiny Professor Christine Pascal, Director of The Centre for Research in Early Childhood at the University of Worcester, at a lecture in Westminster during the evening of 26 September.

Called “Children Crossing Borders”, the event has been organised by Westminster Children’s Society in association with Nursery World to help assess, judge and improve the experiences of families crossing borders.

“It is vital that we have a better understanding of the experiences of these children whose status is vulnerable and who face enormous difficulties in overcoming cultural, linguistic, and sometimes racial and religious differences between their home and host culture,” said Professor Pascal.

“Westminster Children’s Society is a very logical host for this lecture given their commitment to providing nurseries which are positive about different nationalities, ethnicities, languages, faiths, disability and socio-economic needs.”

The lecture will inform nursery practitioners and anyone else with an interest about the worldwide research project being undertaken to which Professor Pascal is contributing - and is free of charge.

Note to editors:
Reporters & photographers are welcome to attend the lecture. For further information, please contact: David Holding, Marketing, 020 7834 8679

Next week's issue of Nursery World will be featuring an article about the Early Years Manager's Guide to Training which LEYF compiled for the Learning Skills Council London Central. The guide is being distributed to every Early Years setting in the London Central area as part of a wider initiative to improve the level of qualifications amongst Early Years workers. The guide includes reasons to train, progression routes, advice on planning and supporting training and details of training providers in the London Central area. Click here to view or download a pdf copy of the guide. In the near future the guide will also be available to download from the Learning Skills Council's website at www.lsc.gov.uk.

10 green-fingered volunteer employees from the National Audit Office will be carrying out a garden makeover at Bessborough Day Nursery Friday 21st April 2006. They plan to transform the outside play space by planting a sensory area with herbs and plants to stimulate the children developing senses. They'll also be creating a cottage garden with potted vegetables and flowers.

Thank you to everyone for making Vicky’s memorial a very uplifting and supportive experience. Vicky was the Personnel Manager at LEYF for the past 11 years, who died suddenly on the 30th of December. I think a huge thank you has to go to Hilary, who did a lot of the design work and most of the organisation of the mememorial including tolerating me going off on tangents and waking up with brainwaves which were not so brainy next morning! I also think Ed did us proud and used his creative flair with great images of Vicky. Thank you to Maureen Andall, Jean Hudson and Gary Simpson who were brave and wonderful to stand up and share their thoughts. Believe me it is not easy.

I hope this memorial will help everyone move forward and while we will always have our memories of Vicky we can move beyond the shock and put our energy into the next phase of our development.

Thank you for being such a fabulous staff team, I think Vicky would have been proud of everyone.

A big welcome to Carlton Hill Day Nursery who have just become an offical LEYF Community Nursery on April 1st. LEYF has made a firm commitment to make the nursery at Carlton Hill a long-term feature of the Maida Vale community. LEYF, which has been managing the nursery for the past year, has intially signed a 20 year lease and we are looking forward to a long, happy and productive time in Carlton Hill. Carlton Hill is now taking a role as a valued partner in the Maida Vale Children's Centre which means Carlton Hill will be working with other local organisations and the Council to provide a wider range of services to local children and their families.

It is with deepest sadness that we announce the death of our respected and highly valued friend and colleague Vicky Whitfield who died suddenly on the 30th of December.

Vicky was the Personnel Manager at LEYF for the past 11 years. She was truly committed to the organisation and never hesitated to give 150%. She was interested in the well being of every staff member and was always scrupulous that everyone would have a fair hearing.

The funeral service will take place at Moreton Hall Crematorium, Pentland Chapel, Edinburgh on Monday 16th January at 2.30pm. Flowers to W.T. Dunbar & Sons, 112 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH3 9BE.

LEYF will have a special memorial to her in April to thank her for her dedication to LEYF and to help everyone who knew her celebrate her life in their own way. We will announce details on the website at the beginning of April.

Today we officially opened the Micky Star Day Nursery situated between Saint Michael's Street and Star Street (hence 'Micky Star'!). It was a 'Narnia' themed day that marked the opening of our Neighbourhood Nursery. This is our second shared initiative with Westminster Play Services, but this the first time we have actually shared a building and its facilities. We're looking forward to a long and happy relationship with the Play Services.

LEYF, then WCS, was delighted to be the first voluntary sector service to win the Nursery Management Today Annual Training Award for our innovative learning and development. Visit the Learning & Development Section of our site to read about what won us the award.