Are Babies Too Young for Policy-Driven Childcare?
The Margaret Horn Debate is our annual opportunity to stop, think, and ask what, in the name of children’s education and care, are we really doing? I love this event…
LEYF News and CEO Blog
Read the latest news and updates from our CEO and the wider LEYF team.
Why Nature Must Matter for Children and Early Years Education
Take a look around– concrete high-rises dominate our skylines, and even the courtyards of upscale developments are often little more than hard brick and stone. Where, then, are children expected…
Budget 2012: baby steps for parents, but much more is needed
You know you have grown up when you know the date of the budget, the Chancellor’s name and that of the…
A little of what we fancy? Better qualified chefs please!
My Grandmother always said that a little of what you fancy does you good. Sadly, according to recent medical press, we are all too often unable to stop at a…
Cans of Coke and Curly Wurlys: enough for a leopard to change its spots?
Sensible organisations try and ensure that staff are involved in developing policies and practices at every level. Indeed, much is written about the inefficiency of top down approaches to making…
Cuba, philosophy and Angelina Jolie’s exposed right leg
In stark contrast to last Sunday when I sat in a warm Havana, sipping cocktails and enjoying live Cuban music, today I could only…
Don’t read this if you have a hangover
Apparently recent research called Lessons for leaders from the people who Matter undertaken by Harris Interactive found that employees from across the globe think…
Loneliness is the scariest thing we have to face.
According to Downing St, isolation and loneliness are more dangerous to our health than smoking. Well as the saying goes, tell me about it! But why do…
Failure of the Free Entitlement? No way.
The National Audit Office report Delivering the free entitlement to education for three- and four-year-olds has sent the press into pessimism overdrive, telling us the…
Growth in a downturn: a big ask, but the right question.
Where has the month gone? I am scared by the speed by which our lives pass; it seems we have so little time to make any real, lasting difference. As…
Ofsted is like Marmite, you either love it or hate it
Ofsted gets a mixed reaction from the sector. It can bring you out in a rash or a hot sweat, but it can also be a very helpful…
Using ‘Little Women’s Christmas’ to begin a post modern feminist debate on motherhood
On 6 January, Irish women – especially those in Cork – celebrate Little Women’s Christmas (Nollaig na mBan). It is the last day of Christmas and the…
RiRi, Bedouin Tents and the I Ching: Welcome to 2012
Happy New Year and welcome back to my blog. (Thank you in advance!) As I recover from cooking, eating, talking, reading and watching TV (little different there then, except this…
When Santa got stuck up the chimney… what did he actually say?
Half way up and unable to move, Santa shouted out that from now on he was prepared to eat his five a day, give up chocolate teacakes and large glasses…