Toilet training – Time for Clarity, Not Blame
Why Are So Many Children Starting School Not Toilet Trained? More than a decade ago, I wrote about toilet training after the Association of Teachers and Lecturers reported that 71%…
LEYF News and CEO Blog
Read the latest news and updates from our CEO and the wider LEYF team.
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…
Baby Look into My Eyes…
This week I attended the 5th Annual Baby Room Conference organised by Kathy Goouch and her team at Canterbury University. The keynote speaker Annette Karmilof- Smith reflected…
The Shared Language of Childhood.
“If we do not keep on speaking terms with children, we become merely machines for eating and earning money” John Updike, Quoted in Arnold 2014 pg.
A Trip to Wales, where Plant has more than one meaning.
My family and I have been visiting Wales for many years including many of the countries beautiful gardens open to the public such as Bodnant. We had…
Worry less about what a Minister can do for us; it’s what we can do for the Minister that should matter
There is a cry from some parts of the sector, about a yet to be appointed Childcare Minister. Why? As a sector the meddling of politicians who are uninformed (except…
Reading and Writing Float on a Sea of Talk: So Lets Ensure More Conversations
Last week I spoke at the UK National Literacy Conference. My role was to share how we support children to become literate in LEYF nurseries.
Why Community Nurseries Play their Part in Social Integration
Earlier this year I joined the Social Integration Commission and today they published their report called ‘How integrated is modern Britain.’ I was very pleased to be…
Where does Early Years fit in the ‘British Values’ in Education Debate?
Mr Gove seems unable to avoid controversy and so began another educational debate when he decided that schools would need to promote ‘British values.’ As ever, Early Years education was…
The International Periscope : Learning About, Around and Seeing Obstacles
Returning from a week’s holiday on a crowded EasyJet flight from Milan, I glanced at my emails and despite the sterling work of my efficient EA, was…
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.