LEYF Annual Review - Making An Impact, 2010-2011

Making an impact 2010/11

“LEYF is different – it’s more child focused and they really care about the staff”

99% of staff feel their work ‘makes children’s lives better’

Where quality counts most of all As the UK’s leading childcare social enterprise, we are proud to operate a business no longer reliant on grants, but instead successfully trading in such a way as to support children and parents from all backgrounds; creating a true social mix that directly benefits every child, whilst helping families find and value their place at the heart of more connected communities.

According to research into the added social value LEYF creates in monetary terms4, children from lower income households gained the most, with a total impact of £29,401 per child in net gains to lifetime income from their attendance at a LEYF nursery, with 83% of this coming from LEYF’s role in addressing weaknesses of the home environment.

Increasingly, research confirms the long term impact of effective early intervention and good quality childcare for all children, in particular those who experience disadvantage1. Despite much improvement, however, children are now slipping back into poverty – with just over 4 in 10 London children affected2.

Research also tells us that children living in poorer neighbourhoods receive lower quality childcare3, which is simply unacceptable – especially when similar children in our own care benefit from such a measurably better start in life4.

This drives our ambitious strategic objective – to celebrate, share and extend the LEYF model more quickly and effectively, and in so doing make a real difference to more children across the capital.

One strand in our growth strategy led us to examine social franchise with the help of Middlesex University. It is a new approach to extending childcare and has generated a fair amount of interest, leading to our involvement in policy initiatives to develop the concept of social investment as a means of scaling and replicating good social enterprise childcare.

Of course, growth must never compromise values or quality – and so we were thrilled this year when Queensborough nursery achieved its second ‘Outstanding’ from Ofsted, Carlton Hill received its first, and three of our other settings were inspected and given overall ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ elements. Guiding us to such fantastic results is an international set of quality indicators (ECERS)5, which measures key aspects of each nursery – from space

and furnishings to activities, parents and staff. With our current score averaging ‘6’, we have now challenged all nurseries to achieve a ‘7’ (the maximum possible), and plan to introduce the same model to babies and toddlers (ITERS), setting an equally ambitious target for them.

But ‘Outstanding’ practice can only be delivered by outstanding staff, and so graduate leadership of nurseries is critical, especially in disadvantaged communities like ours. Already at LEYF, we have supported 50 staff to complete their Foundation Degree in Early Years

caught the attention of Engineering UK, which supported our approach to developing future problem-solvers and engineers. We are now developing the idea of the urban forest school in the same way. Our research into leadership and management has proven equally popular at training days across the country, both with private and voluntary providers.

Our commitment to quality has led to further research, with support from the Beth Johnson Foundation and Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, to develop our multi-generational approach.

The aim here is to ensure our nurseries Victory is much more meaningful continue to create genuine and when it comes not just from the far-reaching social networks across all efforts of one person, but from our communities; for example, hosting the joint achievements of many. local activities and events which bring The euphoria is lasting when all generations together. Our ambitions participants lead with their hearts, in this area particularly impressed Sarah winning not just for themselves Teather MP, Minister for Children and but for one another.

Families, one of our many visitors from Howard Schultz, CEO, Starbucks the UK and abroad this year.

Education. The benefit for individuals, So read our blog, follow us on Twitter, the service and the sector as a whole like us on Facebook and help us extend is huge, so we now commit to ensuring the idea that all children deserve the best all leaders of our nurseries are graduates. start in life – and those who have a more Action research is another key to deprived beginning can be assured that quality. At LEYF this describes the cycle the Early Years care and education they of questioning, reflecting, testing and access is the best. Help us create a brand evaluating practice with the aim of giving respected as the best possible, socially children a continually thoughtful service. enterprising childcare.

The process also underpins how we And to those who already choose a develop and implement training courses LEYF nursery, our staff, donors, supporters to support good practice across the sector and contractors, thank you for trusting through our Centre for Research Learning us to provide a service to our most & Development (CRLD). Recently for precious children. example, we used the method to improve science across the curriculum which led June O’Sullivan, CEO to increased engagement from Dads and Tim Willis, Chair

*Source Early Intervention: The Next Steps (Graham Allen, January 2011) / 2 Campaign to End Child Poverty (2011) 3 Ofsted, Quality & Standards (2009/2010) / 4 SROI @ LEYF: A strategy to improve public value creation (Javeri/Lamb, January 2011) 5 Early Childhood Environmental Rating (Harms, Clifford, Cryer 2005) 1

“Children get genuine love and care”

93% of our staff love their job

“LEYF makes parents feel secure and children feel welcome”

The skill, knowledge and understanding they bring to their work with young minds has been an important and immensely positive force, both for the children and us as parents.

Chris Gargiulo, former parent at Queensborough Community Nursery

“It never takes long for a child to settle in”

84% of staff want to learn more and grow professionally as a result of working for us

Key achievements 2010/11

Graham Allen MP

keynote at

Orange UK Business Awards

‘Transformational Change’ (shortlisted)

Key partner in shaping Government’s vision

Margaret for Early Years Horn Lecture First nurseries

opened in

Tower Hamlets and Kensington

14 more staff

Finalist

in Social

pass Awards

Enterprise

their Foundation

Degrees

(England)

Launch of Social Franchise

2 Ofsted

Teens & Toddlers project

with Pimlico Academy

research project with & Chelsea Middlesex University

nd

Outstanding

for Queensborough

1st Ofsted Outstanding

for Carlton Hill Partnership with Beth Johnson

Foundation to develop

multi-generational

children’s centres

Three members of staff speaking at the

BECERA Conference

Established in 1903 and with more than 300 staff across 22 community, workplace and Children’s Centre nurseries, we continue to build a better future for London’s children, families and local communities thanks to our commitment to excellence in Early Years education, training and research. With our unique and socially inclusive approach, we make a real difference to the lives of more than 1700 children and their parents every year, helping them develop a passion for learning, regardless of their background.

I’m really enjoying the course. Everyone gets so much support, so nothing is complicated or difficult – and there’s always someone to talk to. In the future, I hope to do my Level 3 training and then work in a nursery.

Mursal Aryan, local parent studying Level 2 Certificate in Childcare Learning & Development at LEYF

86% of our nurseries are rated by Ofsted as ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’

“I tell lots of people I work here; I’m so proud of it”

Fundraising report

“ I recommend that the nation should be made aware of the enormous benefits to individuals, families and society of Early Intervention – a policy approach designed to build the essential social and emotional bedrock in children aged 0-3 and to ensure that children aged 0-18 can become the excellent parents of tomorrow.”

(Early Intervention: The Next Steps by Graham Allen MP, January 2011)

The Government’s Giving White Paper was launched in May 2011, seeking ‘to renew Britain’s culture of philanthropy by working with charities and businesses to support new ways for people to contribute which fit into busy modern lives’.

We welcome this report and look forward to seeing how the giving culture develops in the UK; not least since a long term, less self-absorbed outlook is essential if we are to create stronger, safer communities where quality of life is valued for everyone.

In the face of persistent levels of child poverty and the recent cuts in public sector funding, LEYF continues to pursue a strategy of growth through contracts, acquisitions and franchising; at the same time, we are actively exploring potential new funding streams and developing additional channels of income that will prove increasingly essential to our work in the future.

During the period 2010-11, charitable income totalled £1.1m, with funding from trusts showing an increase of 49% on the year. The cost of generating these funds amounted to £81,077 (just over 7% of fundraising income).

We really do appreciate the support of our donors and volunteers, who give their time and money so generously, and so help us develop and pursue new opportunities for children, parents, students and colleagues. With such support, we will continue to invest in children’s learning and really build on the concept of multigenerational experiences, promoting healthy community engagement, a sense of belonging and true social cohesion.

Elaine Angelis Fundraising Manager

I cannot put into words how grateful I am for your help, which came at a time when there seemed no other possible solution for working and childcare in the area that we live. Our daughter’s happiness will always come first and LEYF made that happen for us.

Parent with a child at Fitzrovia Community Nursery, receiving support from ‘A Better Future’ initiative

“I enjoy the relationship we build with the children and parents; it’s very strong”

88% of parents now feel happier about being a parent

Highlights

“ Being given this chance has really helped both of us; I’m so grateful.”

One of nine parents recently benefiting from our campaign, ‘A Better Future’.

Multi-generational children’s centres Thanks to a donation of £15,000 for Research and Development from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, LEYF is working in partnership with the Beth Johnson Foundation to investigate new ways of transforming patterns of delivery in Children’s Centres. Our aim is for adult and children’s services to work more closely together and so to deliver across all ages. Developing a multi-generational model of working will also make it possible for Children’s Centres to offer a better coordinated and more holistic approach to children and family support work.

A Better Future A further £26,000 was donated towards our initiative ‘A Better Future’ this year.

Since this project began, a number of trusts, foundations and corporate partners – such as John Lewis, Garfield Weston and Westminster Amalgamated Charity – have helped us to help nine families, providing high quality daycare for the children, whilst allowing parents to more effectively access training, apply for jobs, attend interviews and ultimately find work.

Katharine Bruce Sensory Room Donations in excess of £21,000 meant we could provide a much needed, fantastic new sensory room and resources for our nursery in W10. The multi-sensory environment really stimulates a child’s development and encourages reactions such as visual tracking, eye and hand co-ordination, speech and language development, motor movement and interactive communication.

Apprenticeship numeracy and literacy funding Our Centre for Research, Learning & Development (CRLD) continues to deliver the Level 3 Certificate in Childcare, Learning and Development as part of our Apprenticeship Programme, targeting NEETS (young people not in education, employment or training). With funding of £20,491, we have been able to buy crucial numeracy and literacy resources, and so provide training to help students improve their understanding, confidence and skills in this critical and often overlooked area.

Finally…

We received funding towards play resources, running costs and building works; all gratefully received – THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Financial review Income LEYF’s income rose by 14% in the year ending March 2011 (from £7.2m in 2010 to £8.2m in 2011), most notably due to increased occupancy of our nurseries, the addition of the House of Commons Nursery in Westminster and an increase in funding for Apprentices.

Contract Income £1.7m, 21%

Expenditure LEYF’s expenditure rose by 11% in the year (from £7.4m in 2010 to £8.2m in 2011), largely as a result of increased occupancy (mainly staffing costs), although offset by cost savings and efficiencies.

Expenditure in training costs represents an investment in our Centre for Research, Learning & Development (CRLD) for our own staff, apprentices and sector practitioners.

Income

Grants and Donations £1.1m, 13%

Parental Fee Income £5.4m, 66%

Premises Costs £0.7m, 9% Operating Costs £0.7m, 8% Training Costs £0.5m, 6%

Expenditure

Administrative Costs £0.4m, 5% Staff Costs £5.9m, 72%

86% of parents feel they get good advice from our staff

“My friends say I am the only person they’ve ever met that loves their job so much”

Thanks to donors A big ‘THANK YOU’ to all our supporters who helped us to transform the lives of children and families in the last year:

Design: www.playnedesign.co.uk

Alchemy Foundation (The) Ancaster Trust (The) BBC Children in Need Brittania Foundation Cadogan Charity (The) Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Charles Wolfson Trust (The) Charlotte Bonham Carter Charitable Trust (The) City of Westminster Charitable Trust Coutts & Co Drapers Company (The) Early Childhood Services

Edward Harvist Trust Garfield Weston Foundation Give it Away Goldsmiths’ Company (The) Help a Capital Child Hyde Park Estate Charity Land Securities PLC Lions Club Mackintosh Foundation NatWest Community Fund New West End Company Presidents Club Ltd (The)

Many thanks to the children, parents and staff at Ford Road Children’s Centre Nursery for the photos used in this report. © www.justin-thomas.co.uk Auditors Sayer Vincent Chartered Accountants 8 Angel Gate City Road London EC1V 2SJ Solicitors Bates, Wells & Braithwaite 2-6 Cannon Street London EC4M 6YH Bankers National Westminster Bank Plc P.O Box 2 27-29 Horseferry Road London SW1P 2AZ

Reuben Foundation (The) Roger Brooke Charitable Trust (The) Rolls-Royce plc Russell Investment Group Strand Parishes Trust Swire Charitable Trust (The) The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn Westminster Grocery General Stores Wyseliot Charitable Trust (The) Westminster Amalgamated Charity

121 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4LX Tel: 020 7834 8679 Fax: 020 7233 8393 www.leyf.org.uk info@leyf.org.uk Registered charity No. 299686, Social Enterprise and Company Limited by Guarantee No. 2228978 twitter.com/leyfonline

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