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…
Attending the OMEP Conference which asked “How Are the Children”?
After much prevarication, I took some of my own advice ( getting out of the office and attending conferences is good for thinking and ideas) and decided to accept the…
A Promise of 30 Hours Free Childcare heralds the Big Childcare Conversation
The Government made childcare a central component of its election manifesto. Mr Cameron insists that his Government will extend the childcare ‘free offer’ to 30 hours a week, 38 weeks…
Welcome to the London Ofsted Big Conversation; A Meeting with Three Wise Inspectors on 24th June 2015
We met in the London NatWest Head Office in Little Argyle Street on a warm day. Like all OBC we had some regulars and some new people but the mix…
An Invitation to Talk to Ofsted at the London #OBC15 Conversation
#OfstedBig Conversation – London @NatWest Bank – Commercial and Private Banking, 2nd Floor Argyll House, 246 Regent Street, London, W1B 3PB 24th June…
Escape to Baku
One way to avoid the election debates and opinion poll overload is to travel somewhere different. So taking a leaf out of Pierce Brosnan’s book (minus the James Bond car) I…
(Mini Blog) London Ofsted Big Conversation
Welcome to the London #OfstedBigConversation. We are delighted to be able to confirm that we shall be meeting again on 24th June from 12:00pm – 5pm. From Ofsted we…
Welcome to the House of Fun
Last week I met colleagues from the EarlyArts and www.telltalehearts.co.uk. It’s always fun to explore elements of good practice with lively people and we…
The Leader or the Manifesto; is there a Choice?
‘Who are you going to vote for, June?’ – This is the question I am regularly being asked by friends and colleagues. But what is the option? Do I vote…
Nets, Networks and Networking to Create Collective Impact
This week I visited the West Country to speak to a group of people working or interested in working in social enterprise. I really wanted to have a day at…
Wanted: Nursery staff in London – Required: A love of commuting
I have been looking for a house since we sold ours last November and so the issue of housing in London is very real to me. I have been shocked…
A Shout Out for the Childcare Apprentices during National Apprenticeship Week
This National Apprenticeship Week it is time to celebrate the joy and enthusiasm good apprentices bring into an organisation. I have been a supporter of trainees and…
The W Factor: In Praise of the Nursery Practitioner; Ordinary Women doing Extraordinary Things
On the 8th of March we celebrate International Women’s Day which is increasingly turning into a month. In London, the WOW (Women of the World) festival shines…