D is for Disadvantaged: What Does that Mean?
“Disadvantage” is one of those terms we bandy about in policy papers and conference keynotes, but what do we mean by it? Do we understand the lived reality behind the…
LEYF News and CEO Blog
Read the latest news and updates from our CEO and the wider LEYF team.
The Power of Intergenerational Nurseries
Talking Early Years: June O’Sullivan and Sue Egersdorff The world is changing fast. Technology is accelerating how we live, work and even care, but in that rush, you…
Another Consultation… This time, it’s Space
Just as the ink dries on the Ofsted consultation, up pops another. This time it’s about space, equally important and not to be overlooked. The Department for Education (DfE) has…
AI Cybersecurity
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Kill Switch! This is AI blog number four, and by now I thought I’d be off down the rabbit hole exploring…
Talking Early Years: In conversation with Greg Bottrill
Are children deprived of the opportunity to play?… …is not a new question, but one that continues to be tackled on many levels. Greg Bottrill’s book ‘Can…
Packed lunches: I just want the right to say no!
Do you want the right to ban packed lunches from your setting because of Health & Safety concerns? The recent legal challenge to the Early Years in February, was…
Supporting ECEC for Infants Under Two
What We Learned from the Nursery World Webinar The Governments policy to expand “childcare” for children from 9 months by funding 30 hours ECEC is driving demand and anxiety in…
Leading A Greener and Award-Winning Future for Children
We are delighted to receive the King’s Award for Enterprise – Sustainable Development because it recognises our commitment to sustainability and social justice in Early Years. The award celebrates…
A Conversation with Ofsted: What we learned at the London OBC
On the 7th April, we held the London OBC and here is a summary for those of you who could not attend. We are trying something new,…
Talking Early Years: In conversation with Frank Cottrell-Boyce
If you have been frog marched through books, why would you ever read for pleasure? The award-winning author and screenwriter Frank Cotterell-Boyce is the 13th Children’s Laureate of…
Lessons We Must Learn to Better Protect Our Children
In Memory of Genevieve Meehan Tonight, BBC One North West and Yorkshire will air an investigative programme titled How Safe Are Our Nurseries? It follows the heartbreaking story of Genevieve…
Change is in the Ofsted air
The London OBC is coming on the 8th April 2025 We will be hosting it at Bain where we can take up to 100 people in person. This time…
AI in Early Years: A Helping Hand or Hype?
This blog is No.3 in the AI suite This week, I want to examine how, or indeed, if AI can help with daily office tasks. I am coming at this…
Beyond the Tooth Fairy
Will Government Policies improve our Children’s Smile? As ever, the Early Years sits right at the heart of societal issues. This time we are being asked to help look…