Nursery boss pens 'plain-speaking' A-Z guide on early years

June O’ Sullivan, the boss of a nursery group offering almost 5,000 childcare places, has penned a new book about the impact of the government’s decisions on the early years sector.

June O'Sullivan, the chief executive of London Early Years Foundation (LEYF). Credit: LEYF

'The A-Z of Early Years’ tackles the sector’s ‘hot topics’ and offers to deliver some ‘plain-speaking’ truths, advice and ‘good humour’ in this guide for nursery managers, newly qualified teachers and early years educators in general.

June O'Sullivan, the chief executive of London Early Years Foundation (LEYF), which runs 39 nurseries in some of London’s most disadvantaged areas, said the book is ‘born from questions raised’ in her regular 'June's blog'.

June O'Sullivan said: “This book, which is written in a frank and accessible way, came from my blogs where I share, pontificate, complain and explore the wide range of subjects that are all filtered through the Early Years funnel."

‘Read it, laugh, recognise the issues’

The early years expert, whose group employs 800 early years staff across 11 London boroughs, said: “Whilst the content is very much a bridge straight into policy, an area that is often considered obscure and perplexing, I hope that all those who deliver early childhood services will read it, laugh, recognise the issues and provoke further conversation.”

LEYF is one of London’s largest charitable social enterprises, with 32 per cent of its nursery children on a funded-only nursery place. All profits from LEYF are reinvested back into the business, and 59 per cent of its nurseries are Ofsted ‘Outstanding’.

The book covers a wide range of subjects in an alphabetic style including 'B' for 'Babies' and 'V' for 'Venture capitalists'. The book includes links to Twitter and other reader material at the end of each chapter.

June O’Sullivan calls it a practical guide "for leaders and managers to initiate professional and pedagogical dialogues with staff, students and colleagues".

The A-Z of Early Years by June O’Sullivan is published by Sage Publishing and priced £19.99. It is also available in e-book format.

click here for more details or to contact The London Early Years Foundation (LEYF)