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…
LEYF Launches NEW Level 4 Sustainability Qualification for Early Childhood Education
During lockdown last year, I began to think a lot more about the future. There was so much worry and panic and I wondered what message we were giving children…
Let’s Hear How the Mayoral Candidates Will Support Early Years in London?
On May 6th, we will be invited to vote in a new Mayor for London and 25 members of the London Assembly – one year later than planned. Together, they…
The London Ofsted Big Conversation: Keep Your Eye on the Ofsted Ball
Last week we hosted a good humoured (it was at wine-time, as chosen by you!) virtual London Ofsted Big Conversation, one year to the day from when inspections were suspended…
Have Feminists Failed Childcare?
To mark International Women’s Day (8 March), I ask, “Have Feminists Failed Childcare?“ The COVID-19 crisis identified the importance of childcare for both children and their families. Suddenly, the…
The London OBC and St Patrick Welcomes You!
On the 17th of March we usually celebrate St Patrick’s Day but this year we are inviting St Patrick to join the London OBC! In the days before Covid,…
It’s Tough Out There, So Let’s Lead by Being Kind – and it costs nothing
There is no doubt that the Early Years sector is currently experiencing a very difficult and anxious time – especially faced with the heightened daily risk of testing positive for…
Child Poverty Affects Us All: Don’t Pretend It Has Nothing to Do with YOU
Child poverty is back on the agenda. New reports highlight how we have made no progress improving the number of children living in poverty and how the COVID-19 pandemic, has…
Talking Early Years with June O’Sullivan: In Conversation with Naomi Duncan
Rising to the Occasion – WHY Nursery Chefs Must be Integral to All Early Years Settings The importance of a good nursery chef cannot be underestimated. But we often don’t realise…
Come and Have a Pedagogy Chat
On Sunday morning, I had a welcome change from the daily COVID-19 conversation; I met up with Alice Sharp to discuss pedagogy. I have been using the word,…
The Early Years Locked out of Lock Down and No Promise of a Vaccine
In December, when I wrote my notes in preparation for my New Year blog, they were optimistic, with a focus on next steps for a national conversation to shape our…
2020: The Year of Living Dangerously
2020, the year of living dangerously and the year of lockdown. L – Living at work O – Obesity: The Covid diet C – Cook, clean and carry on…
The Duchess of Cambridge thanks the Early Years Sector for committing not to the quick win but for the BIG win
Last Friday (27 November 2020), the Duchess of Cambridge announced the results from her landmark public survey on the Early Years, ‘5 Big Questions on the Under Fives’, which…