LEYF

LEYF, formally the London Early Years Foundation, is a charitable social enterprise and one of London's largest nursery groups. It operates more than 40 nurseries across 13 London boroughs, delivering Early Years education and care to children from birth to five years old. The organisation traces its origins to 1903, when it was founded as the Westminster Health Society by pioneers including Margaret Horn, with a mission to promote child welfare and family health in communities facing poverty and high mortality. It was a forerunner of professional childcare training, outreach and home visiting, predating the NHS by 45 years. In 2006 LEYF began its transition to a social enterprise model to ensure long-term sustainability, and in 2009 it officially adopted the name London Early Years Foundation. Today it employs over 1,000 staff and supports around 4,000 children and their families each year. Its nurseries are all rated Ofsted Outstanding or Good, and it is one of the largest providers of funded two-year-old places in London, offering government-funded hours for two-, three- and four-year-olds. LEYF's approach combines a progressive, research-based nursery education with a strong social purpose: welcoming all children regardless of background or ability, and strengthening social and cultural capital. It runs an Early Years Chef Academy to train nursery chefs in child nutrition, and its Green LEYF commitment aims for net zero by 2030. The organisation has received recognition including a King's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development, and its CEO Dr June O'Sullivan OBE was named Social Business Woman of the Year at the WISE100 awards.

LEYF's history begins in 1903, a period marked by poverty and high mortality rates in London. It was founded as the Westminster Health Society by social reformers including Margaret Horn, who sought to promote child welfare and family health within communities in need. The organisation was a pioneer in professional childcare training, outreach and home visits, as well as local drop-in sessions and parenting classes. This work began 45 years before the establishment of the NHS, reflecting a deep-rooted commitment to public health and early intervention. For much of the 20th century, the organisation continued to provide services focused on the health and welfare of mothers and young children. In 2006, it embarked on a significant transformation, beginning its journey to become a social enterprise. This shift was designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the high-quality Early Years education it provides, blending charitable purpose with a business-like approach to operations. In 2009, the organisation officially changed its name to the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF), marking a new chapter in its identity. Since then, LEYF has grown into a family of over 40 nurseries across London, employing more than 1,000 staff and supporting around 4,000 children and their families annually. It has become one of the largest providers of funded two-year-old places in London, offering government-funded hours for eligible two-, three- and four-year-olds. LEYF's modern approach is characterised by a progressive, research-based nursery education that aims to strengthen social and cultural capital. It welcomes all children, irrespective of social background or ability, and places a strong emphasis on community engagement. The organisation has also developed distinctive initiatives such as the Early Years Chef Academy, which trains nursery chefs in child nutrition, and Green LEYF, an organisational commitment to sustainability with a goal of reaching net zero by 2030. Recognition for LEYF's work includes a King's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development, and its CEO, Dr June O'Sullivan OBE, was named Social Business Woman of the Year at the WISE100 awards. In 2025, an LEYF educator won the Early Childhood Graduate of the Year Award at the Nursery World Awards. These accolades reflect LEYF's ongoing dedication to excellence in early education and its social enterprise model.

• 2025

  Received King's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development.

• 2009

  Officially changed name to London Early Years Foundation (LEYF).

• 2006

  Began the journey to become a social enterprise.

• 1903

  Founded as the Westminster Health Society by pioneers including Margaret Horn.

High-quality, affordable Early Years education and care delivered through a charitable social enterprise model, with a focus on social impact and inclusion.

• Nursery education and care

  High-quality Early Years education and care for children from birth to five years old.

• Funded early education places

  Government-funded hours for eligible 2, 3 and 4 year olds at all LEYF nurseries.

• Early Years Chef Academy

  Training for nursery chefs in child health and nutrition.

1. 1Home - LEYF Nurseriesleyf.org.uk
2. 2About us - LEYF Nurseriesleyf.org.uk
3. 3FAQs for parents - LEYF Nurseriesleyf.org.uk
4. 4Awards and recognition - LEYF Nurseriesleyf.org.uk