Over the next fortnight children at London Early Years Foundation nurseries are taking part in our design competition to create their own animal character.

Our creative animal illustrations have been made using items of vintage postal ephemera, including stamps from the countries the children we support live in.

Materials such as paper, envelopes, tags, postcards, labels and stamps are layered to create a collage. We include our From Babies with Love logo in a fun way, to create animal elements such as whiskers and wings, and then photograph the collage. A fun technique which is easy for young children to do.

Over the coming fortnight we'll be sharing an overview of how young children learn through art, and displaying their designs on a Pinterest Board.

Like From Babies with Love, the London Early Years Foundation is a social enterprise. A family of 34 community nurseries across London, they use income from nurseries in more affluent areas to run nurseries in some of London’s most disadvantaged areas, and subsidise 48% of parents to access a free nursery place. They are the largest provider of free nursery places for two year olds in London.

We hugely admire their cross-subsidy model as it means they can give children from all backgrounds the opportunity to be the best they can be from the start of their early years learning.

The children's work will also be exhibited at the opening of the London Early Years Foundation's brand new nursery in New Cross on 10th October. On the day visiting children will be able to create a character, as well as have a go at other art activities. If you'd like to come along please register here and to find out more about the London Early Years Foundation and their nursiers all around London please go to www.leyf.org.uk

10th October is a special day for us, the London Early Years Foundation and all social enterprises: it's Social Saturday. To find out about the growing number of brilliant social enterprises you can buy from visit www.socialsaturday.org.uk

Please click here for Competition Terms and Conditions.