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…
When the cows come up to you, just sing
Last weekend I went to Paddington Farm to help them celebrate their 25 years anniversary. A joyous occasion with…
Today’s Family is Tomorrow’s Society
Reflecting on the riots leads me to believe that the complexity of the situation which released such behaviour will need substantial intelligence, pragmatism and creativity to resolve. Like…
The Government’s ‘Fish Wish’: parenting made simple
Chatting to my sister in the car the other evening, we were whished into silence by an indignant five year old in the back seat who, demanding our attention, said…
Fairytales and true romance: reading treasure for children
I read with a sinking feeling, an article in the Telegraph March 2011 entitled “Parents who shun fairytales miss chance to teach children morality“. In essence, they…
The new vision for Early Years
The Department for Education and the Department of Health have published the Government’s vision for the foundation years. In their own words… It is…
Everything is going to be alright, as long as we lead the way
Earlier this week I found myself listening to a debate about the best way to care for our elderly citizens – and was immediately struck by the similarities between good…
How do you measure SROI at a social enterprise garden party?
On Friday, 1st July, over 200 LEYF staff – now spread across Barking & Dagenham, Camden, Tower Hamlets and Westminster – came together in the beautiful garden…
Childhood futures in Dublin’s fair city
This week I went to visit Dara Hogan at Fledglings Nurseries, part of An Cosán, a community organisation and charity in…
Getting down to business: survival tactics for any good social enterprise
It’s always interesting to meet television journalists up close and personal – and that’s exactly what I did on Wednesday, when LEYF Chair of Trustees, Tim Willis…
Early Years inspiration amidst the gathering of the clans in Leeds
I have just come back from a two day NDNA conference in Leeds, accompanied by two of our nursery officers – Audrey Grant from Lisson Green and…
Science, culture and the great outdoors: the rights of every child
We have it in our power to build the world anew.” Thomas Paine 1737 -1809 To celebrate 25 years of wedded bliss (well, most of the time), my…
Early Years, Dragons and Dolly Parton… or how bankers became our new best friends
The last few weeks have been a bit of an intellectual whirlwind, which always gets me really excited. So for those people who think working with children is all about…