Getting Away to Learn: Why Conferences Still Matter
I have always liked a good conference. Not necessarily because I want to sit in a chair all day being talked at. In fact, that is probably my definition of…
LEYF CEO Blog and Podcast by Dr June O’Sullivan OBE
Read the latest news and updates from our CEO and the wider LEYF team.
From Awareness to Action: Building Sustainability-Informed Educators
One of the great pleasures of our Action for Sustainability Community of Practice is that it brings together educators, researchers and leaders from across the world who are asking…
What Does Quality Really Mean in Early Years? A Conversation with Chris Pascal OBE and Tony Bertram
Quality in Early Years education is a term used constantly by policymakers, inspectors, leaders and teachers. But what does quality actually mean for children, families and educators?…
People Under Three: Why Belonging Must Be at the Heart of Baby Care
Thirty years ago, Elinor Goldschmied and Sonia Jackson chose a title that still resonates today: People Under Three. Three simple words that quietly transformed the way many of us…
To Coracle, or Not to Coracle: That is the Question
Safe Sleep Needs Clarity, Not Confusion Whenever a baby dies, every one of us in Early Years is shocked, distressed and cannot quite comprehend that someone who…
Nursery by Design – A Book Born from Small Steps
The idea for this book began many years ago with my own daughter. Like many young children, she found saying goodbye in the morning difficult. She wanted one last wave…
From Reggio to Tipperary: Why Good Educational Ideas Need Thoughtful Translation
I have always had enormous respect for the work of Loris Malaguzzi and Carlina Rinaldi. Reggio Emilia emerged from a unique historical, political and cultural context and,…
From the Margins to the Mainstream: Unlocking a £400 Billion Social Value Opportunity for Britain’s Future
This week, I had the privilege of attending the House of Lords for the launch of two significant reports examining Social Enterprise, procurement and the future of our economy.
Why We Need to Back the Next Generation of Early Years Educators
Last week, I had the privilege of celebrating the graduation of another cohort of LEYF degree students, apprentices and staff achieving professional diplomas. Watching them walk across the stage…
Nursery by Design: Why Early Years Spaces Matter More Than We Think
How Nursery Design Shapes Child Development, Wellbeing and Social Justice We spend a great deal of time talking about pedagogy, curriculum, leadership and workforce in the Early Years. Yet…
SEND, Social Justice and the Question We Keep Avoiding
Everyone is talking about SEND. Inclusion. Rising need. Pressures on schools and nurseries. But I’m not convinced we all mean the same thing when we…
The Ofsted Big Conversation London 2026
The OBC Was Hard Won. We Must Keep Showing Up The Ofsted Big Conversation (OBC) did not appear overnight. It was built slowly, patiently and sometimes painfully by…
Kindness Is the Work: A Conversation with Salas Balde for the Next Generation of Early Years Educators
Why you should listen Discover how kindness can grow from a simple idea into a global movement, and why Salas Balde sees it as a lifeline, not a luxury.
AI for the Public Good: building bridges, not becoming complicit
AI is divisive. It promises speed, efficiency and easier communication. At the same time, it risks deepening inequality, concentrating power and reinforcing bias. Both realities exist. Pretending otherwise…