LEYF News and CEO Blog

2022 has finally arrived and it is also Day 5 of my COVID isolation. I know I am nearly better because the world doesn’t feel like a permanent menopausal hot…

From Generation to Generation: In Conversation with Professor Norma Raynes About ten years ago I discovered the work of Robert Putnam and the idea of social capital. In…

In 2013, I wrote a blog to raise the alarm on an ill-considered plan to reduce staff to child ratios and reduce the cost of childcare. I was not…

The Importance of Storytelling : In Conversation with Trisha Lee from Make Believe Arts   I met Trisha many years ago when we were both involved in some…

We simply don’t listen enough to children! They have long realised the benefits of being in touch with nature, but we have done our best to reject this innate need…

On Saturday morning (19/09/2020) I chaired a discussion with Neil Leitch from Early Years Alliance and Liz Bayram from Pacey for the Childcare Expo. We talked about…

Being overweight or obese is one of the biggest health crises the country faces. It has a devastating impact on our physical and mental health. Almost two thirds (63%) of…

Continuing with the Christmas Advent tradition, on day ten of Christmas Advent 2019 let’s reflect on what is cultural capital? Now that Ofsted has introduced the concept into the…

To be honest, cultural capital is not the usual conversation piece. But it is both a conscious and unconscious part of our everyday lives. Now that Ofsted has introduced the…

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…

Childcare is too expensive said the TUC in their well-timed report. Costs have risen by 50% since 2008 and wages have only increased by 27%.  Parents have to top…

I would like to thank Mrs May for hosting and chairing our meeting on Monday. It was a pleasure to be sitting in the Cabinet Room rather than down the…