Less Screen, More Story: Why Libraries Matter More Than Ever
Last week, we were delighted to welcome Helen Hayes MP to the Upper Norwood Library Hub, where I have the privilege of serving as a Trustee. Helen is our local…
LEYF News and CEO Blog
Read the latest news and updates from our CEO and the wider LEYF team.
Talking Early Years: In Conversation with Howard Roberts
The Curiosity Code What makes people tick? Why do we care about certain brands—or causes—more than others? And how do we spark genuine emotional connection, not just polite head-nods?…
Enjoy Books on World Book Day, Don’t Worry too Much about Dressing Up!
I grew up in a world where reading was a normal pastime. I didn’t have access to many books at home but I was an avid library fan. I went…
Reclaim the Outdoors For Children
I was invited to talk to Eamonn Holmes at talkRADIO the other week about a news story that commented on our intention to try and ensure that of the…
Don’t Call Me Sweet: I am a Fast, Furious and Fabulous Early Years Teacher
I was visiting a LEYF nursery on the Wandsworth Bridge Road and Shandrika the deputy manager was engaging a in a deep pedagogical conversation with me. Then she stopped, sighed…
The London OBC: Consulting on the Consultation
Ofsted has a strategic objective to be a force for improvement through intelligent, responsible and focused inspection and regulation. To do this we must ensure we understand what we mean…
Messy Play not Messi Plays
Last week I gave a seminar at the Nursery World Show about pedagogy, and I particularly referenced the importance of Early Years teachers being able to name and describe the…
Time Out to Reflect on Social Enterprise
I am not always great at taking my own advice, which in this case is to take a few days away from the office to “think”. I have just had…
The importance of partnership
“The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.” – Theodore Roosevelt Many organisations talk about working in partnership. It…
Quality childcare: it starts with meaningful investment
The Report by the Education Policy Institute (EPI), raises the self-same issues which have been of concern to the Early Years sector for the past five years. The Government’s…
Happy New Year: Let’s…
I gave up the idea of New Year Resolutions a long time ago and 40% of people give up their resolutions within a fortnight. Setting yourself a resolution is the…
Playing with Lego to Spark a Story
“The sound a box of Lego makes is the noise of a child’s mind working, looking for the right piece. Shake it, and it’s almost creativity in aural…
Getting Back to Basics: Learning from My UK Road Trip
I am always pleased to be invited to speak about things that matter to me such as social enterprise and the business of childcare, child poverty, pedagogy and wider early…
Any man can be a father, but let’s celebrate the importance of Dads!
“Any man can be a father but it takes someone special to be a Dad.” – Anne Geddes I recently wrote a book with the wonderful Alice Sharpe to celebrate…