The Bernard van Leer Foundation funds and shares knowledge about work in early childhood development and child rights. Download or order our free publications and browse the projects for disadvantaged young children we support through partner organisations around the world.

Early Childhood Matters on family stress

The new edition of Early Childhood Matters (order or download pdf) looks at family stress, asking how to deal with and diminish it and what factors contribute to children’s resilience and coping mechanisms. It includes an conceptual overview by Ted Wachs, an interview with Professor James Heckman, and insights from countries including Mexico, South Africa and Bulgaria.

24 June 2009

Jim Smale, former ECM editor, dies aged 68

Jim Smale, who edited the foundation's flagship journal Early Childhood Matters for many years, has died aged 68. Jim was largely responsible for giving the publication its current format. The next edition of ECM will be published soon.

24 June 2009

Annual Report for 2008

The foundation's latest Annual Report is now available for download (pdf), reviewing our activities in 2008. It includes an in-depth look at activities in Mexico, India and South Africa, and an executive summary in Spanish. UPDATE: printed copies are now available to order free of charge.

16 May 2009

Foundation names new Executive Director

The Bernard van Leer Foundation is pleased to announce Ms. Lisa Jordan as the new Executive Director as of 13 July 2009. Read more (pdf).

29 April 2009

Foundation features in Financieel Dagblad

The Bernard van Leer Foundation is today featured in the Financieel Dagblad, the equivalent in The Netherlands of London's Financial Times. The article (in Dutch) deals with the challenges being faced by private foundations because of the ongoing financial crisis. UPDATE: Read further articles published in the same edition (pdf). UPDATE (2): Read English translations of these articles (pdf).

14 April 2009

Diversity and young children in Northern Ireland

A new foundation working paper looks at case studies from Northern Ireland to draw lessons on developing programmes to promote ethnic diversity in early childhood. The author, Paul Connolly, is a professor at Queen’s University Belfast and the founding Co-Director of the Joint Learning Initiative on Children and Ethnic Diversity. Download your free pdf copy now.

8 April 2009

Oscar van Leer Fellowships for journalists

The foundation is pleased to announce the inaugural 2009 Oscar van Leer Fellowships for journalists. See the press release (pdf) or read the call for applications to find out more about who is eligible and how to apply. For more information, explore this section of our website.

7 April 2009

Job vacancy: Head of Communications and Publishing

The Bernard van Leer Foundation is recruiting for a new Head of Communications and Publishing. See further details (pdf). The closing date for applications is 17 April.

30 March 2009

ECM on a sense of belonging

Featuring the contributions of academics and practitioners from around the world, the latest edition of the foundation's biannual journal, Early Childhood Matters, addresses the challenge of enhancing a sense of belonging in the early years. Order your free copy or download the pdf.

1 December 2008