The London Early Years Foundation
Analysis
The London Early Years Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in March 1988, 38 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, which this site groups under children and youth development. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 02228978). It says it provides human resources, provides buildings/facilities/open space and provides services.
In the financial year ending March 2025, The London Early Years Foundation reported income of £37.2m and spending of £36.4m, spending 98% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £22.2m to £37.2m (+67%), an average of +14% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2022, when income rose by 22%. Over the whole period it spent 100% of the income it received.
Among 5,641 England and Wales charities whose main cause is children and youth development and that reported income, The London Early Years Foundation sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include In Kind Direct (£35.8m), Bridge House Estates (£42.6m) and The Jagclif Charitable Trust (£33.0m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 97% and donations and legacies 2.1%. Charitable activities took 99% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. It employed 941 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 2.1%
- Charitable activities 97%
- Investments 0.1%
- Other 0.4%
In the charity's own words
The London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) is one of the UK's largest charitable social enterprises with a social purpose of 'changing the world one child at a time'. We achieve our social purpose by giving London's children aged 0-5 years the best start in life through the highest quality Early Years Education and Care, especially those who otherwise may not be able to access or afford it.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| In Kind Direct | London | £35.8m |
| Bridge House Estates | London | £42.6m |
| The Jagclif Charitable Trust | London | £33.0m |
| Garfield Weston Foundation | W1k 4qy | £165.4m |