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Pause to learn

Friday, May 15, 2020

| CYP Now

Since I have been operating the LEYF business from home, I’ve increased my video conferencing to check-in everyday with the 15 nursery hubs that still remain open.

Recovery will not be like flicking a light switch

Blogs

Monday, May 4, 2020

| CYP Now

The past few weeks have occupied the early years sector with getting to grips with the immediate practical challenges arising from the pandemic and lockdown.

Stepping up to prepare for a return to the 'new normal'

Blogs

Monday, May 4, 2020

| CYP Now

The Covid -19 pandemic has introduced us to some new words such as furlough and serology which describe specific action.

Late night guidance suggests row back on furlough for childcare

Blogs

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

| CYP Now

On Friday night, the DfE produced the guidance on furlough and funded children.

Doing what’s best for the health of our nation and the health of our sector

Blogs

Thursday, April 16, 2020

| CYP Now

The Covid-19 pandemic lockdown is posing many philosophical questions.

Can nurseries deliver the 4th emergency service and remain sustainable?

Blogs

Friday, April 3, 2020

| CYP Now

Perhaps when Boris has his new baby and needs childcare he will finally begin to realise what we do as a sector and how we operate as an essential business.

The effects of the coronavirus on children’s wellbeing needs careful attention and considered behaviours from all of us. We need to support children with safety and trust. As adults, workers or parents we should offer simple information, by being honest, available and present, and answering questions.

The march of the mothers in March

Blogs

Friday, March 13, 2020

| CYP Now

March is the yellow month. The month of daffodils and watery sun. March brings a sense of hope, energy and optimism; the winter is behind us and there is a sense of rebirth as spring begins to unfold.

What does it say about the value of care when low skills are aligned to low salaries?

Blogs

Friday, March 6, 2020

| CYP Now

Does our Home Secretary need to be quite so offensive to the 319,000 staff who provide early childhood education and childcare to parents every day to enable them to work and contribute to the economy?

Kindness is contagious and it's worth us all catching it early

Blogs

Monday, February 24, 2020

| CYP Now

As early years’ teachers, we need to continually reflect on the purpose of education.

There’s no place for average results when it comes to achieving social mobility

Blogs

Monday, February 24, 2020

| CYP Now

To really give least advantaged children a chance we must help them to be better than average.

So the results are in…

Blogs

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

| CYP Now

The consultation has closed and we now await the government’s response to our feedback about the proposed changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the Early Learning Goals.

Investment in infrastructure should include family support services

Blogs

Friday, February 7, 2020

| CYP Now

The general election illustrated how neglected and distanced from opportunity and investment the Midlands and North felt compared to elsewhere in the country.

Breakfast with The Duchess

Blogs

Monday, February 3, 2020

| CYP Now

We all know that the Tiger comes to Tea but we have never had a Duchess come to breakfast.

The male only apprentice group

Blogs

Monday, January 27, 2020

| CYP Now

Can we do this? Will we break the law? The HR director rolled his eyes and said Ohhhhh, let me double check! I said: “Make it happen, It is hugely necessary”. Why? Because less than four per cent of the early years sector are male.

Make 2020 the decade of kindness by opening both your eyes and your heart

Blogs

Monday, January 6, 2020

| CYP Now

Given this is the beginning of a new decade, I glanced at some previous New Year blogs. Not my best idea! The world of early years is still Groundhog Day with little progress in gaining recognition and funding for the sector. So, in 2020 it’s crucial things must change.

A letter to Boris

Blogs

Friday, December 20, 2019

| CYP Now

Dear Prime Minister, Welcome and I wish good fortune as you build the right team around you to deliver your election promises. While I realise there are big issues that will be occupying your mind such as Brexit, I wish to be a bit parochial and draw your attention to the world of early years.

The Birmingham Pedajolly on the Pedagogy Fun Train

Blogs

Monday, December 16, 2019

| CYP Now

Last week, I went on a "pedajolly" to a conference in Birmingham with two colleagues - Ben who leads the LEYF Training Academy and Jean who manages a super three times "outstanding" nursery in Bayswater.