Newsletter Winter 2011
Making every experience count Update
Out & About
Get Connected
Royal blessing for Bessborough
Singing the praises of LEYF drop-ins
Help to make Christmas special 1
In this issue Update
Out & About
Get Connected
• Making every experience count • Another new LEYF nursery opens • Royal guest for Bessborough • Deputy Prime Minister’s visit • Social Enterprise success
• What do you do? • My LEYF experience • Furze superheroes • Long-term support from Land Securities
• Fundraising • Diary dates • Top tips
Welcome Dear Parents I am writing this in the run up to Christmas; a time for celebration and reflection on the importance of friends and families - and hopefully your nursery! We certainly have cause to celebrate, with so much to share since our last issue of LEYF News. The Duchess of Cornwall re-opened the now refurbished Bessborough nursery – continuing the historical link started by the Queen Mother in 1937, when she opened the original nursery as the Duchess of York and remained our life-long patron. Our House of Commons Nursery hosted a tea party to celebrate their first year. Along with the delicious food, I heard from parents keen for us to expand across London, so their friends could enjoy the same quality of care they experienced. Marsham Street welcomed Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith, as they announced an extra £300m childcare support for working parents. And Furze hit the headlines as one of its staff told The Sun how our apprenticeship programme allowed them to ‘earn and learn’ at the same time; critical to the work we do, you can read about the experience of another LEYF apprentice on page 5.
in brief We were thrilled when the Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove opened our Staff Conference, celebrating the importance of Early Years, whilst giving LEYF staff the accolade they deserve for their commitment, enthusiasm and creativity. The event was captured as part of a short film you will find on our relaunched website, where you will also find a growing collection of tips and advice, like those here from Glynis on ways to enjoy time with your children over the Christmas break.
New website now live!
Still, the economic climate continues to be a worry - not least as more families teeter on the brink of poverty. We are always looking for ways to share the LEYF model so more parents can access good quality childcare, and so return to work. In essence, our model is one of community nurseries based on social mix, where learning and research is built into every level of the service; it is also one delivered with a multi-generational focus and so commitment to directly contribute to the local communities we serve.
We are delighted to announce the LEYF experience is now available to 42 more children and their parents with our first LEYF community nursery in Earls Court. Based in a beautiful Victorian building with a great outdoor space, the spacious and bright nursery is led by experienced manager Regina Oke. If you have friends in the area, please let them know the LEYF experience is now available in SW5!
On Social Enterprise Day, our annual Margaret Horn lecture at the RSA was an opportunity to explore this model, and to what degree we might use social franchising to open more LEYF nurseries across London. The challenge was neatly summed up by former US President Bill Clinton, who said: “Nearly every problem has been solved by someone, somewhere. The challenge of the 21st century is to find out what works and scale it up.” As always, thank you for choosing to be part of our growing LEYF family. June O’Sullivan Chief Executive
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Our support for parents stepped up a gear last month with the launch of our brand new website. Along with updated information on our approach to childcare, training and research, parents will now find it easier to find and contact their nearest nursery. Parents will also find a growing collection of quick tips, guides and useful links. So please tell us what you think!
Earl’s Court nursery now open
did you know?
91% of our nurseries are rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted! Food update Thanks to all parents for your support as we moved to using combined kitchens. Despite the odd hiccup around delivery, our wonderful nursery teams displayed their usual resourcefulness and stepped quickly ‘into the breach’. Food is still prepared by LEYF chefs, familiar with children’s eating preferences, who also now prepare the menus - so information around ingredients is clearly displayed to ensure careful management of any intolerances or allergies. Seasonal menus now offer children more warm puddings, hearty casseroles and healthy soups making sure they get all the goodness they need to fight off any winter chills. And with Christmas dinner just around the corner, chefs are working closely with each nursery to ensure it is enjoyed by all!
Making every experience count Each year LEYF brings its growing nursery and Central Office teams together at their Annual Staff Conference. This time the focus was on making the most of every moment children spend in LEYF’s care. With the theme of this year’s Staff Conference ‘Making Every Experience Count’ there was no doubt it was going to be an exciting day - and it certainly achieved its aim, being hailed as one of the most inspirational and worthwhile conferences yet. Opening the conference, Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove made his first speech about Early Years since the coalition Government came to power, underlining the real importance and quality of what staff at LEYF do every day. Other keynote speakers included Detective Chief Superintendent John Carnochan, whose talk about how early intervention can really change the lives of children struck a chord with many in the audience. “He was so passionate about how they can cut offending behaviour by the influence they have at the start of a child’s life,” explains LEYF Head of HR Neil King. “I had a lot of requests to invite him to speak at future conferences.” Meanwhile, experiential play expert Allie Sharpe captured the imagination of the audience with a typically inspiring talk on early experiences. Later in the day, all 300 staff present were invited to take part in two of 14 workshops on offer. “Everyone enjoyed how they got to try things in the workshops, which they could then take back to improve the experiences of the children and parents in their nursery,” says Neil.
The most popular topic was ‘Making it Better for Boys’, which like other workshops will be offered to all staff over the coming months as a half or full day training course. “Many of the staff are women, but we know boys need a different type of play and think differently,” explains Neil. “It was a good way of looking at how we could support them and make the environment and activities more suited to the rough and tumble boys need.” Many of the independent trainers and specialists brought in to co-ordinate the workshops were impressed with the attitude and enthusiasm shown by LEYF staff. Workshop leader Rachel Slough commented: “You have such a fabulous culture at LEYF, I can see why your staff love being part of it and have such heart and passion for what they do.” All of those attending the conference agreed it was a worthwhile event and couldn’t wait to get back to their nurseries to put their new understanding, techniques and expertise into practice. Claire Barker, from LEYF’s Eastbury Children’s Centre Nursery in Barking & Dagenham
“You have such a , fabulous culture at LEYF f I can see why your staf love being part of it and have such heart and .” passion for what they do
said: “All the staff will be cascading what they learnt in their individual workshops to the other team members, so it can then be incorporated into everyone’s daily practice.” This is the ninth conference for LEYF. The first had just 80 staff attending compared to 300, illustrating just how quickly LEYF has grown in that time – and coming together to see the size of the organisation clearly gave a great sense of pride to so many of the staff present. Lunch was cooked by LEYF chefs and a team building exercise to build a giant rollercoaster out of materials usually reserved for the children was an uplifting moment and appropriate, fun-filled climax to the day. Trustee Mary Wynne Finch was in awe: “I came away feeling truly proud to be part of LEYF. Such an inspiring, thought provoking and fun day: great speakers, great workshops, great lunch, great organisation, great atmosphere - too friendly and jovial to be called a conference really!” Although it is an important opportunity to give staff the chance to hone their skills and talents, Neil agrees: “Calling it a conference is perhaps the wrong way of describing the day. It’s more a chance for us to say thank you to our teams, and give them the same opportunity to have fun and learn as they do with the children in our nurseries every day.” On this evidence, it certainly looks like they achieved their goal.
ent Trainer Rachel Slough, Independ
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Nursery anniversary
Royal blessing for refurbished Bessborough Duchess makes a special visit to reopen historic community nursery. One of our most historical settings, Bessborough Community Nursery was formally reopened by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall after the nursery and adjoining clinic underwent a £3.5m refurbishment. Westminster City Council funded the extensive makeover of the Pimlico centre in partnership with the Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust (CLCH) to create a central hub for children’s and family services in the area. Thanks to the project, our new-look nursery now enjoys three brand new play areas, direct access to a lovely new garden and exciting sensory room. The centre also benefits from a fully refurbished area for CLCH’s Children Family and Wellbeing Services, and is home to Westminster City Council’s children’s and family services, Westminster’s South Child Protection and South Locality Children’s Services teams, which provide social work, school attendance and parenting support.
In the news Coalition visits Marsham Street Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith recently stopped for breakfast at our Marsham Street Community Nursery. Describing the nursery as ‘fantastic’, Nick Clegg spent time with the children and asked parents about their experiences of childcare, as LEYF CEO June discussed the challenges and opportunities facing the sector with Iain Duncan Smith. Social Enterprise Day Success Bigger than ever before, the day began with a visit by Education Minister Karen Buck to meet with our latest apprentices, 4
Very different in some ways; this unique workplace nursery cares exclusively for children of our MPs, along with those that work for or support them in the House of Commons and House of Lords. But where it matters most, our team treat the location like any other.
“This project has given the Bessborough Centre a new lease of life and I’m confident its new range of facilities and services will be tremendously useful to families in the Pimlico community.” Already enjoying a royal link - with Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother having opened the original Maternity and Child Welfare Centre and Westminster Day Nursery in 1937 - The Duchess was treated to beautiful singing by our nursery children, which immediately brought the sun out on an otherwise damp day. She then went on to unveil a plaque to commemorate the opening of the new centre, and later commented how delighted she was to meet so many members of staff, children and families on the day. She further added how she was ‘very impressed’ by the project’s many achievements, and claimed: “it will be a wonderful resource for the whole community”. LEYF CEO, June congratulated the nursery on their ‘wonderful display of teamwork, professionalism and good practice at every level.’ She added: “I was so proud of you all. The children were absolutely exemplary: calm and engaged for such a very long time, and I was delighted to meet some of our parents.” followed by our 5th Annual Margaret Horn Lecture. Now an official RSA event, it was standing room only. RSA CEO, Matthew Taylor said: “It’s great working with LEYF and we look forward to greater collaboration in the future.” This year LEYF CEO June presented our research into social franchising and the potential this has for tackling child poverty. Serious business Although a social enterprise, we must remain focused and efficient as a business to survive the economic crisis and help even more children in the future – so it was great to celebrate as Transformational Change runner-up in the National Business Awards, and one of 25 winners out of 638 entries in the Big Venture Challenge!
A recent creative workshop, lead by experienced LEYF Nursery Officer Elena, invited parents to make props for the story ‘Handa’s Surprise’. Making the most of the experience, one parent said: “I enjoyed the content and structure of the workshop, and am looking forward to sharing my experience with my child”. Beyond the nursery door, children now have their own space to grow flowers in St James Park, and recently spent a lovely morning planting bulbs ready for the spring with Park Manager, Graham. Mum to the nursery’s first child, Julianne Noble said: “‘Our family has been delighted; such a beautiful new facility and excellent standard of care. Sebastian has benefited greatly thanks to the kindness, warmth and professionalism of the staff team. And it has been so much fun to see how he has developed and learned so many new things already.” “Our first year has been very enjoyable,” said Nursery Manager Anjali. “We’ve had great support from the House of Commons – and the children have settled in really well!” Already rated by Ofsted as ‘Good’ in all areas and ‘Outstanding’ in working with parents, the team plan to go from strength to strength in 2012.
the headlines
“I’m earning while class are learning” The Sun
“Taking a sustainable approach to low-cost childcare” guardian.co.uk
“Mending rifts with Meh Westminster Chronicle
ndi”
“Experts: Speech development” Baby London
“A job for the boys” Teach Nursery
Photo © East London Enquirer
Commenting on the results, Westminster Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, young people and community protection Cllr Nickie Aiken said:
Staff at our House of Commons Nursery recently celebrated their first anniversary with a tea party for children, parents and colleagues from the Parliamentary estate.
& about out
ou do? What do e-yGr ossett Rebecca Patric
Rebecca joined the LEYF apprenticeship programme straight after school and is now studying Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Westminster. Quality training Training with LEYF is an amazing opportunity that I would recommend to anyone who wants to work in Early Years. The high standard of nurseries and tutors at LEYF meant the practical experience and teaching I received was of quality, and really helped me personally. Self-confidence I started working with LEYF straight
My
experience
after I left school. Being able to travel into London each day to a job that I loved - where I was taught by people who encouraged and motivated me to learn - helped me improve my independence, self-confidence and attitude to work in general. Seeing children develop For me, the main highlight of working in a nursery was being able to see how children develop socially, intellectually and physically – and in such a short amount of time! I’ve seen children go from being able to recognise the first letter in their name, to telling you of other words that also start with that letter, to writing their name independently! Next steps One of the great things about working for LEYF is that staff are able to attend courses on specialised areas in Early
Years that encourage them to update and expand their knowledge. One course in particular inspired me to apply to university - and thanks to LEYF’s help, I’m now studying for a BSc Honours Degree in Cognitive Neuroscience. I’m really enjoying what I’m learning about babies’ and children’s brain development. The degree means I can explore this topic in detail and help further my career, as well as my passion for working in Early Years.
“Training w ith an amazing LEYF is op that I would portunity re to anyone w commend ho work in Early wants to Years.” Rebecca Patr ice-Gro
ssett (above former LEYF , right), apprentice.
d Kit Nicolette Amette an
Local parent Nicolette Amette sings the praises of LEYF and Early Years Practitioner Glynis Mates. LEYF is committed to supporting parents in the local community as well as through its nurseries. Mum-of-one Nicolette Amette agrees that drop in groups, such as those she uses at LEYF’s Marsham Street Children’s Centre, are invaluable. “I heard about Marsham Street through a neighbour who saw me with my then two week old son Kit and told me ‘You’ll need to go here’. And she was right. In those first few months of being a new mum, being able to drop in to the sessions Glynis runs was fantastic.
eful for all t a r g o s m ’ I “ ities and n u t r o p p o e th and LEYF is n ly G lp e h ed” have pArmoevttid e, parent Nicolette
Becoming a parent is such an exciting and emotional experience but it can also be a little overwhelming and lonely too. A trip to see the other parents and children always provided answers to my questions, or hope when things were particularly tiring or tough - Glynis was always there with a cup of tea and comforting words when she could see you needed it. And there was plenty of fun and stimulation for Kit, who discovered a love of painting which was better experimented with in the centre than in our flat - and he loved playing with the range of toys suitable for his developmental stages. We’ve made so many personal and special things, like books with photos of our family and birthday cards. The outside space was also great in the summer months. There are so many different activities and I particularly loved the singing groups which again helped the children’s development, but also helped us parents feel so relaxed. I didn’t really know anyone with a child around Kit’s age until going to Marsham
Street and we now have plenty of playdate friends. Even though he’s 18 months old now and I’m back at work part time, we still drop in on my days off. I’m so grateful for all the opportunities and help Glynis and LEYF have provided. It’s had an enormous impact on me and my son’s time together.”
Nursery profile Furze
about
Opened only three years ago, as a core part of Barking & Dagenham’s Children’s Centres programme, the Furze nursery is making all its many activities a real family affair. All LEYF nurseries appreciate how enjoyable it can be planning events for children but at Furze they are making sure it’s fun for the rest of the family too. Since children started attending the nursery in 2009, celebrating dates such as National Grandparents Day and Black History Month have played an important part of themed activities – but now the creative staff and enthusiastic children are inventing their own special occasions!
Company profile Land Securities
Land Securities is the UK’s leading real estate investment trust. With half its portfolio in London, they own many landmark buildings, including Cardinal Place in Victoria and the Piccadilly Lights. The firm has been an active supporter of LEYF for more than five years.
&
out
“The skill sets that families can bring isces so wide and enhan the experience for all the children.” er
“Our recent Superhero Day was inspired by ideas the children came up with,” says Nursery Manager Richard Lester. “Staff ry Manag and children got involved by Richard Lester, Nurse dressing up as their favourite characters such as Batman, Superman Richard and his team also like to have and Spiderman. The role play area was extended family involved in events at a Superhero’s Den which they needed the nursery. “We had a very successful a password to get into and we had the Grandparents’ Day, where one Community Police visit to talk about grandparent who was a music teacher the Superhero things we can do in the did a lesson for the children. The skill sets community, simply by helping each that families can bring is so wide and other.” really enhances the experience for all the Richard adds: “One of the parents had children.” noticed a lot of Superhero stories involve Trips out are another way of families fighting and weapons, but during our day it was about the good things people joining in. “On a recent trip to Wellgate Farm we had parents, siblings, aunts and can do for one another.” carers all join us.” Parents are an essential partner in deciding themes for special days and are The feedback from all who have been involved at Furze is positive too. encouraged to get involved with what’s happening in the nursery. “Each week we Bethan and Stefan Freedman attended ask the families to take home a little slip the Grandparents’ Day and said: of paper which they return on Monday “It’s given us a real insight into Leo’s morning with lots of ideas of what experiences at pre-school. We really the children have been doing at the hope we can come and have fun weekend - anything they’ve learnt, or again.” special occasions that have been going on at home,” says Richard. The staff also And no doubt as the creative team at Furze come up with new plans, take note of ideas suggested by parents they will. in regular chats with them. “Elaine was an excellent introduction to LEYF; very approachable and open to ideas,” comments Jack. “And it has been easy to maintain a relationship because their staff are so engaging.”
Jack continues: “LEYF is not only a significant charity within Westminster, where we are particularly active, but also one that meets our key charitable criteria; this makes it easy to identify potential opportunities for us to support their projects. So Land Securities is Following a donation to help refurbish delighted to support LEYF, especially as the reception space within the LEYF it has expanded its reach across London. Head Office, Community Investment It also allows us to develop a more and Liaison Officer, Jack Lawrence first fully rounded Corporate Responsibility came into contact with the charity programme that ensures we support through LEYF Fundraising Manager, both young people and their families. Elaine Angelis. For instance, we were recently able to provide training and support for young people typically referred to as NEETs, including a charitable Investment and Jack Lawrence, Community award of several thousand s pounds to help set up a Liaison Officer, Land Securitie
“Land Securities is delighted to support LEYF.” 6
library resource and purchase new and later reconditioned laptops for the LEYF Apprenticeship Programme.” Land Securities have also helped LEYF with mentoring, IT and systems support and advice, whilst providing a venue for their annual Margaret Horn Lecture. For more information, visit www.landsecurities.com.
connected Fundraising for
A big
thank you!
Every month, LEYF’s supporters and donors are hard at work helping the organisation grow.
agreed to give a further £3,000 for the same purpose.
Much teaching is delivered verbally; and children require good communication skills to make friends, participate in group activities and develop higherlevel thinking skills, so it is vital we do everything we can to help all children become skilful and confident communicators.
Elsewhere, Awards for All have given us £10,000 for heuristic play rooms at Leys and Warwick, offering children the chance to explore and play with natural and everyday items in a quiet environment. Such activities are focussed on young children’s natural curiosity and are designed to strengthen cognitive development as well as fine muscle control and hand-to-eye co-ordination.
Recognising this, John Lewis recently gave £3,000 to our nurseries in South Westminster to support the development and use of speech, language and communication in young children’s learning. Funds will be used to purchase specific activity centres, games, cushions, tepees, sand trays, wooden blocks and digital cameras. The Edward Harvist Trust
£1,500 funding from Rolls Royce plc and £500 from City of Westminster Charitable Trust recently helped us provide music and arts resources for all nurseries, including song boxes and an assortment of tactile fabrics. Charles S. French donated £2,000 for
“I wanted something that made my heart beat,” said Charlotte, a former conference manager who now works through her company, Give It Away, “so it’s children, families who are financially disadvantaged and teenagers who need mentoring to get back into a meaningful way of life.”
“I borrow the money secured against the land, get lots of discounts on materials and pay the money back at the end when they are sold,” Charlotte added. “Whatever profit is left I give away.” Having so far donated a total of £825,000 to eight charities, Charlotte is already well on her way to passing her initial goal of £1m early next year with the sale of three cottages currently being built in Woking, Surrey. “It has become a lot more than just writing out a cheque,” she said. “I have this incredible extended family made up of builders, charity workers and the wonderful young people and children I have met and helped along the way.” Thanks to Charlotte’s ongoing support for the work we do here at LEYF, 11 of our families have received the emergency childcare or short term financial help they so desperately needed.
She approached suppliers and convinced them to provide free or discounted products. Her lawyer works pro bono and her estate agent at a reduced rate.
“My first experience of LEYF was being shown around this lovely welcoming centre with children highly engaged in different fun activities,” explained
Giving it all away LEYF has received a total of £16,000 from Charlotte Grobien since 2007 to support parents in need. When businesswoman Charlotte Grobien renovated her London home eight years ago she caught the property bug, and so decided to become a developer full-time. Only instead of getting rich on the profits herself, she committed to giving away all the money to charities like LEYF.
play equipment in our Barking and Dagenham nurseries, enabling Furze amongst others to increase their multi-cultural resources. Back in Westminster, children at Bessborough are now enjoying great new outdoor play resources worth £4,000 donated by Strand Parishes Trust. Give It Away kindly donated another £3,000, whilst John Lyon’s Charity generously committed a total of £75,000 over 3 years to provide an additional nursery officer in our Holcroft Community Nursery (pictured above), helping us reach even more local families. Finally, our funding initiative ‘A Better Future’ continued to grow with recent donations from Westminster Amalgamated Charity (£5,000), SFIA Educational Trust (£5,000) and John Laing Charitable Trust (£5,000).
Charlotte. “So when I heard some children couldn’t continue at nursery due to family crises compounded by financial pressures, we set up ‘The Charlotte Grobien Fund’.”
“It is more than just writing a cheque - I have this incredible extended family.” Charlotte Grobien 7
connected
Get out, get active and get involved Calendar dates Chinese New Year 23 January Apprenticeship Week 6-10 February National Storytelling Week 28 January - 4 February Valentine’s Day 14 February Pancake Day 21 February Half Term 13-17 February Baby Show (ExCeL) 24-26 February Fairtrade Fortnight 27 February - 11 March Milad Al-Nabi (Prophet’s Birthday) 4 February Doodle Day 2 March World Book Day 4 March Mother’s Day 18 March World Poetry Day 21 March Social Enterprise Exchange 27 March International Children’s Book Day 2 April Easter weekend 6-9 April Spring Holidays 2-13 April St George’s Day 23 April Earth Day 22 April EU Day of Solidarity between Generations 29 April Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Weekend 2-5 June
Don’t forget...
Top tips
cial! Make Christmas spe The festive season provides many opportunities for parents to have fun with their children whilst naturally encouraging language development simply by introducing new words, describing actions and asking open ended questions. Here are just a few of favourites from our EYP Glynis Mates.
Christmas cookies
Christmas outdoors
Ideal for hanging decorations or presents - and of course eating! Children will love this gooey activity, and have fun choosing different flavourings - such as ginger, mixed spice or lemon – to add to your basic biscuit dough. Don’t forget, most young children also love to wash up!
Remember that for children, there is no such thing as bad weather - only bad clothing! So wrap up warm and dry, then head out to your local park; run through the leaves and jump in the puddles. Of course, if it snows you simply have to build a snowman and make snowballs!
Christmas presents While you’re wrapping parcels, give your child a few empty boxes and cardboard tubes, some old wrapping paper and masking tape. Talk to them about the various box shapes and sizes, what could fit in them and how much paper they might need to cover them.
Christmas cards There are so many ways to decorate a card, so try to avoid any set ideas you might have - let your child lead the way! The end result may be not what you had in mind, but your child will feel so proud of their own work if no one else has tampered with it.
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If you want to try our Christmas cookie recipe, or for more details about the other activities above, visit our website at www.leyf.org.uk/parents/christmas11
“By providing your child with a language rich environment you will be supporting their development not only now but in the future.” Glynis Mates, LEYF Early Years Practitioner
LEYF News is your newsletter. If you think you, your child or your nursery should feature on these pages, do let us know. We’d love to hear from you if you have a story to tell. You can contact us at our head office address opposite. LEYF News is a biannual newsletter published by the London Early Years Foundation. This edition was designed and printed by Captiv8 (www.captiv8uk.co.uk).
However you choose to enjoy the Christmas break, make the most of this time to have a truly memorable, magical Christmas with your children!
London Early Years Foundation 121 Marsham Street London SW1P 4LX www.leyf.org.uk Email: friends@leyf.org.uk Tel: 020 7834 8679 twitter.com/leyfonline
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