From Supply Chains to Sandpits: Why ESG in Early Years Matters
Context: Why ESG Is Rising Up the Agenda I joined an audience of charities and investors at the ESG Imperative Conference, organised by…
LEYF Early Years News & CEO Blog by June O’Sullivan OBE
Read the latest news and updates from our CEO and the wider LEYF team.
The Friendship Quilt: Sewn with Stories, Kindness and Belonging
The year 2023 marked our 120th anniversary, celebrating a long and fascinating history that began in 1903 when a group of doctors and almoners came together to tackle poverty in…
Visiting the Farmer in his Den
Last week I visited Paddington Farm in Glastonbury Somerset of which I am Chair. It’s a lovely 43 acre organic farm which is run as a social…
What is teaching and who are the teachers in Early Years?
Recently, the Chief Inspector for Schools, Sir Michael Wilshaw launched the Annual Report on Early Years 2012-13 with a fairly controversial speech. He threw down the gauntlet…
The #OfstedBigconversation – London
The London Big Conversation was hosted last week at LEYF and an informed and lively audience greeted three inspectors. Led by Debbie Jones, Regional Director for London and National…
The Power of Communication
Over the weekend, I was re- reading my leadership book with a view to updating it when I spotted this quote by Malaguzzi and thought just how apt it is.
If we want to improve the lives of poor two year olds, we need to have an intelligent Ofsted conversation
‘More nursery education should be carried out in schools to prepare children better for later education and help bridge the gap between rich and poor’ the Chief Inspector of schools…
An Invitation to the London #OfstedBigConversation
The London conversation will take place at 9.30 on Friday the 11th April at LEYF Head Office (121 Marsham St, SW1P 4LX). The aim of the ‘Conversation’ is to identify…
What would St Patrick say if he was a Social Entrepreneur?
This week, I had the opportunity to be featured on the BBC Sunday Politics Show as an example of a social enterprise. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03xjvvm/Sunday_Politics_London_16_03_2014/ (51.20 mins) Like anyone who ever…
An Oscar Speech for Early Years Practitioners
Last week I went to friend’s wedding and when it came to the speeches, she stood up and explained that as it was the day of the…
The London Men in Childcare Network Celebrates its Second Birthday and Launches its Video
‘Men in Childcare is women’s business’ said a colleague at the first official meeting of the London Men in Childcare Network for 2014 which was held last…
We need one early years voice to sing in harmony for good quality childcare.
On Saturday, I read a letter in the Guardian coordinated by Early Education calling on local politicians to protect quality provision for children in…
Early Years where ‘Mary Mary quite Contrary’ is also an Environmentalist and Climatologist
Yesterday, I enjoyed watching a tranquil almost bucolic scene with rowers rowing up the Thames, families walking with their children and dogs and runners and cyclists cruising along the towpath.
The Tale of Two Michaels; ‘Le Ofsted Split’
The breakup of relationship always fascinates us. We are drawn to the details like a moth to light. The intricate relationship between the Secretary of State for Education and Ofsted…