LEYF Margaret Horn Debate 2025

Join Us for LEYF’s 19th Annual Margaret Horn Debate

Date: Thursday  20th  November  2025 (Social Enterprise Day) 
Time: 5pm - 6.30pm 
Location: Zoom (Online)

As one of the UK’s leading charitable social enterprises in Early Years education, LEYF invites you to its 19th Annual Margaret Horn Debate, chaired by journalist, Gabriella Jozwiak. This year, we’re asking a question that strikes at the core of parenting and policy: 

Is the government’s offer of childcare from nine months truly in the best interests of babies or more about boosting the economy?

With more parents facing pressure to return to work earlier than ever, our debate will explore:

• What does “quality care” look like for babies under one year old - and how do we guarantee it?
• Should society bear greater responsibility to protect babies from policies driven by economic necessity?
• How do we better support women who choose to stay at home with their babies and ensure their role is valued?

The Margaret Horn Debate has long been a forum where challenging questions are laid bare, recognising that childcare, parenting and education policy are deeply political and socially rooted.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, researcher, policymaker or simply passionate about the earliest years of life, your perspective matters. Take part in a vital conversation about the intersection of childhood education, care and social policy.