Talking Early Years: In conversation with Professor Sam Wass
We’ve Got It the Wrong Way Round I’ve just finished recording a podcast with Professor Sam Wass, and I’m still buzzing. He is Director of the Institute for the…
LEYF News and CEO Blog
Read the latest news and updates from our CEO and the wider LEYF team.
Why Social Enterprises Must Lead the Future of Childcare — And the Wider Social Care Economy
The Government’s Best Start strategy signals an intention to look again at Early Years business models and examine whether they can truly deliver for disadvantaged communities. It is a welcome…
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…
Coaching us into the Year of the Sheep
Popping into our nursery in Soho which neighbours Chinatown I couldn’t help but notice the preparations to welcome the Chinese Year of the Sheep. Since my…
International Random Acts of Kindness Week
I just came across The International Random Acts of Kindness Week and was rather intrigued by the campaign. It stuck a chord for two reasons: Firstly, LEYF recently…
A Trip to Ireland to Meet a New Baby
On St Brigid’s Day, I took to the skies courtesy of Aer Lingus (under threat of being sold at the moment, another icon in…
A celebration fit of a Queen… or at least Her Majesty’s representative
On Friday the 23rd of January, a date that will now be forever embedded in my memory, I received my MBE from Her Majesty’s Representative The Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Sir David Brewer…
Doing Business by Doing Good
Last week was a cold and wet week to head to Manchester but I was warmed by the company of social entrepreneurs from across the UK. We come together as…
Let’s Start the Year Together
When I first submitted this blog to Jenny, she read it and then sidled up to me and said, “I see your point but could you not start the year with…
2014 : Blogging Through the Year (on a one horse open sleigh, o’er the field we go laughing all the way…)
Can we have whizzed through another year? Can you remember it all? I can’t remember the beginning of the week let alone the previous months, although with old age comes…
Creating Social Enterprises
Last week I was awarded the Social Enterprise Women’s Champion Award. I was completely shocked as my nomination was as surprising as the win. The award was…