LEYF was founded in 1903 as the City of Westminster Health Society by Margaret Horn MBE along with a committee, with the aim of "combat[ing] the continuing rise of maternal and infant mortality rates".

[3] The organisation is credited with introducing the first health visiting programme to London, opening several clinics focused on improving the welfare of children and their parents in the city.

[7] At the time of the organisation's 2019/20 annual report, 97% of its nurseries were rated 'good' or 'outstanding' by Ofsted,[8] including 59% outstanding compared with the national average of 20%.

[9] LEYF's pedagogy, which directs the organisation's approach to teaching, is a seven-strand model which aims to "ensure that children from all communities, but especially those from poorer neighbourhoods, can and do access high-quality nurseries".

[10] The programme incorporates all the statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework.