Baby Talk
While I was at the Labour Party conference last week, I listened to Maya Ellis MP talk about why it was important to establish an APPG for Babies (Pregnancy to…
LEYF News and CEO Blog
Read the latest news and updates from our CEO and the wider LEYF team.
Talking Early Years: In conversation with Peter Moss
The Early Years as a Political Space Early childhood education is not a neutral or technical service—it is a deeply political space and this is the focus of…
Talking Early Years with June O’Sullivan: In Conversation with Dr Lala Manners
Moving in the Right Direction – Talking About a Child’s Right to Move Though we may not realise it, movement is our very first language and essential to the…
Times of upheaval bring radical change and revolution. Is this the moment to change the direction of Early Years?
Every year we have the Margaret Horn Debate to introduce, explore and dispute ideas, policies and innovative practice. Consequently, we have debated a wonderful array of topics over the past…
Talking Early Years with June O’Sullivan: In Conversation with Helen Moylett
I have long been writing about cultural capital in the Early Years, with mixed and sometimes bemused responses. Now that Ofsted has introduced cultural capital into the new inspection framework…
Story Maker, Scientist, Best Friend
Covid took off its invisible cloak on the 23rd of March when the country retrenched into lockdown. Now, six months later, with the battle partly won, the country has to…
Talking Early Years with June O’Sullivan: In Conversation with Laura Henry
Remembering the Power of Grandmothers. I remember many years ago talking to Laura about how she felt when her grandmother sadly passed away. I think it was at…
Talking Early Years with June O’Sullivan: In Conversation with Giles Andreae
Who Says Giraffes Can’t Dance? Well Giles Andreae did! He also reminded us that there is a Rumble in the Jungle and a Commotion in the Ocean and if…
No shoes to buckle
On Saturday morning (19/09/2020) I chaired a discussion with Neil Leitch from Early Years Alliance and Liz Bayram from Pacey for the Childcare Expo. We talked about…
Double Standards or Just Don’t Care?
The world is full of contradictions and here is a BIG one. I recently read in the Financial Times that the global management consultants, McKinsey & Company earned a…
Pat a Cake, Pat a Cake Bake Me a Low Fat, Sugarless Cake
Being overweight or obese is one of the biggest health crises the country faces. It has a devastating impact on our physical and mental health. Almost two thirds (63%) of…
Zooming to a National OBC Conversation
It was an OBC with a difference. We didn’t have to find a room and a suitable time and lots of refreshments, we zoomed straight into everyone’s homes in nearly…
Chancellor Sunak: Be Brave and Invest in the Future By Starting with the Early Years
The other night I was watching my new late-night Netflix addiction, How to Get Away With Murder. I have reached Series 5 where the main protagonist, Annaliese Keating is…
Walk into the Wild Side
I am constantly being asked about how we have responded to COVID-19. What are the problems, levels of anxieties, health and safety issues, business risks and leadership approach? Throughout, I…