A leader envisions a childcare organization that transcends traditional obstacles by offering exceptional training and care while addressing systemic inequalities. Central to this vision is the belief that every child deserves a strong start in life, regardless of background, highlighting the critical role of social justice in the Early Years System. This commitment drives the organization’s focus on access and inclusivity, fostering welcoming environments for children and families, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
To strengthen resilience and empower families, the organization actively collaborates with local communities through partnerships and outreach initiatives, ensuring that every child has access to essential support. Sustainability is another key focus, with eco-friendly practices integrated into both operational and educational frameworks, teaching staff and children about their responsibilities as global citizens.
To bring this ambitious vision to life, June O’Sullivan OBE, the CEO of the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF), has developed this model supporting a comprehensive strategy that includes establishing the London Institute of Early Years. Her Institute provides ongoing professional development and training for staff, equipping them with the latest skills, knowledge and high standards.
Complementing this business model is the LEYF Pedagogy for Social Justice, which employs evidence-based practices to enhance learning and development for all children. The organization is committed to forming strategic partnerships with a range of stakeholders, advocating for essential policy changes and sharing best practices within the Early Years Education sector.
Through this multifaceted approach, June seeks to reshape the childcare sector in the UK, creating a model that balances commercial viability with social responsibility. Her vision prioritizes high-quality education and addresses systemic inequalities, ensuring that every child can thrive.
The Mission of LEYF
June’s journey began as a young single parent working as a psychiatric nurse in an unsupportive NHS environment.
After securing a nursery place for her son, she faced distress when the manager refused to let her settle him and when he got lost in their garden, she was reprimanded in front of the other parents, criticized for being an Irish single parent, and told the place could have been given to a doctor. This experience later strengthened June’s resolve to create an inclusive childcare organization.
In 2006, she founded the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) transforming a small local charity with eight nurseries, into the UK’s largest social enterprise nursery group, operating 41 nurseries, employing 920 staff members and 100 apprentices. LEYF supports over 4,000 children, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, using a fair fee system to ensure access.
Celebrating Diversity in Early Childhood Education
A pivotal moment for June as CEO of LEYF occurred during a nursery visit when a parent shared how LEYF’s inclusive approach transformed her child’s life. The parent described previous difficulties accessing nursery services and highlighted how LEYF’s nurturing environment allowed her child to thrive academically and emotionally.
This encounter reinforced her commitment to creating welcoming spaces for all families and emphasized the profound impact of a quality Early Years System.
Empowering Educators for Child Development
June’s motivation is rooted in her belief that every child deserves a strong start in life. She recognizes the significant impact high-quality education has on child development during formative years. Understanding the political factors affecting families, she views advocating for policy changes as a moral imperative.
Inspired by stories of families struggling for affordable childcare and the needs of dedicated educators, she aims to demonstrate through LEYF how meaningful change can lead to a better future for children, believing neglecting their needs has serious societal consequences.
Embracing Flexibility in a Dynamic Work Environment
To balance her multiple roles, June employs strategic planning, effective time management and self-care. Driven by her passion for the Early Years System, she enjoys activities like singing and spending time with family. She delegated operational tasks to her dedicated team, allowing her to focus on strategic leadership.
She appreciates the positive atmosphere created by her staff’s commitment. While managing nursery visits, writing and speaking engagements, she remains flexible to handle unexpected challenges in the dynamic world of social enterprise.
The Role of Nurseries in Building Strong Communities
June regularly visits all 41 nurseries to engage with the children, meet parents and support staff, whilst gaining valuable insights into nursery and community challenges. LEYF encourages open communication through staff councils, blogs, newsletters, and community events to meet evolving family and staff needs.
Personally committed to making a positive impact, June strives to create environments where every child feels valued. She believes that the Early Years System can drive social change and reduce inequalities, aiming to build resilient communities where families are empowered, and children thrive.
Developing Leadership Styles through Mentorship
Mentorship has been central to June’s development in the Early Years System. She has benefitted from mentors who guided and challenged her thinking throughout her career. Recognizing mentorship’s impact, she is dedicated to mentoring future leaders in the field, viewing it as both a responsibility and a privilege.
She fosters a supportive environment where mentees can express ideas and develop their leadership styles grounded in their values. She emphasizes adaptability and openness to new ideas, aiming to cultivate leaders who are passionate advocates for children and families.
Implementing Multi-generational Partnerships in Schools
Fostering a culture of sustainability and social responsibility is central to June’s leadership at LEYF. She believes that as a social enterprise, LEYF must positively impact children, families and the community. She embeds these values into the organization’s core principles, guiding decisions and daily practices. LEYF’s pedagogy emphasizes harmonious relationships and multi-generational partnerships.
She prioritizes eco-friendly sustainable initiatives, such as the Level 4 Diploma in Sustainability in the Early Years. She advocates considering sustainability as a social justice issue, instilling environmental values in children while promoting educational access and community engagement.
Advocating for Vulnerable Children in Education
June’s work in building social and cultural capital through the multi-generational Early Years System is guided by core philosophies shaped by her journey. She is driven by social justice, believing every child deserves to feel valued, regardless of background.
Recognizing poverty as a barrier to education, she established the first Early Years Chef Academy to combat child obesity, focusing on vulnerable children. This initiative has trained chefs across the UK. She emphasizes that many children become forgotten citizens, lacking advocates and believe they deserve the opportunity to thrive.
Cultivating Joy and Potential in Young Learners
June’s motivation in the challenging field of the Early Years System stems from her robust passion and clear purpose. She understands that their efforts significantly impact children’s lives, making her work a mission for positive societal change.
A major source of inspiration is the joy and potential she sees in every child, reinforcing her role in shaping their futures. She also draws motivation from her dedicated colleagues and families who trust LEYF. Their resilience and commitment energize her daily, enabling her to navigate challenges and advocate for a high-quality Early Years System.
A Vision for a More Equitable Education System
Looking ahead, June’s leadership goals focus on deepening their impact and driving systemic change for all children, especially those disadvantaged.
She aims to continue advocating for social enterprise nurseries with a social justice pedagogy, supported by the latest research, in order to provide the highest quality education and care for all children.
She aspires to complete her PhD and share insights on building compassionate, sustainability-informed staff. She also seeks to expand the social enterprise model and the London Institute of Early Years to reach more underserved communities, requiring strategic partnerships and planning.
Additionally, she will continue to advocate for national policy changes, aspiring to leave a legacy of accessible, high-quality education that contributes to a more equitable society.
Access Professional Development in Early Years
Under June’s leadership, the London Institute of Early Years was established to provide high-quality Continued Professional Development (CPD) and training for Early Years professionals globally. The Institute’s courses, led by experienced in-house trainers, prioritise the best outcomes for children and are designed to fit into busy nursery schedules, allowing effective work-life balance.
Empowering through Comprehensive Training
Located within the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF), the Institute welcomes external learners and LEYF staff without requiring membership. Its mission is to promote best practices, encourage innovation and disseminate cutting-edge research, contributing to significant advancements in the Early Years System.
The Institute offers training from Apprenticeships to CPD, including an Early Years Honours degree accredited by the University of Wolverhampton and specialist qualifications like the CACHE-accredited Early Years Chef qualification and the Level 4 Sustainability in the Early Years Award.
Innovative Qualifications and Strategic Initiatives for Lasting Impact
Other key achievements include employing locally and recruiting up to 100 apprentices annually to benefit disadvantaged communities, actively campaigning for inclusion, especially for men in childcare and designing the LEYF Pedagogy for Social Justice, which ensures disadvantaged children access balanced learning.
June launched the UK’s first Early Years Chef Academy, set the first Sustainability Strategy for LEYF and developed the inaugural Early Years Level 4 Diploma focusing on sustainability.
She also established a degree program with the University of Wolverhampton and advises the Department for Education and key organizations, including Ofsted and the Mayor of London’s Child Obesity Taskforce. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded an OBE in the King’s Awards for Services to Education in 2023.
