A Retrospective: The 2026 ECSDN Awards Ceremony
Friday 23rd January 2026
University of Northampton
Introduction
The year 2026 commenced with the inaugural ECSDN Awards ceremony, a landmark event that exceeded all expectations. It was a privilege to host such a successful evening dedicated to celebrating the achievements of our exceptional graduates.
This achievement was made possible through the immense dedication of those who volunteered their time and expertise to ensure the event's success. We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone involved in the coordination and execution of these celebrations.
In this dedicated section of our website, we reflect on an evening defined by joy, professionalism, and a shared commitment to our network, students, friends and sponsors.
Reflecting on Excellence: Our 2026 Award Recipients
The following slideshow offers a retrospective look at the inaugural ECSDN Awards ceremony. This collection features our distinguished award winners and runners-up, representing the very best in early childhood practice, research, and advocacy. Each image captures a moment of well-deserved recognition for the students, graduates, and professionals whose dedication continues to shape the future of our sector.
Distinguished Honours: Special Category Awards
Beyond our standard categories, the ECSDN was proud to present a series of Special Category Awards. These discretionary honours were reserved for individuals whose influence extends beyond a single achievement. This gallery celebrates those recognized for their significant and sustained contributions to the network’s mission. We honour their enduring commitment to the broader early childhood academic and professional community, acknowledging the lasting legacy they have built through years of dedicated service.
Relive the Celebration: 2026 Awards Highlights
We are thrilled to share this curated collection of moments from our landmark inaugural awards ceremony. The slideshow below captures the energy, pride, and joy of the evening as we celebrated the outstanding achievements of our winners and nominees. From the spark of inspiration to the final cheers of the night, these images showcase the vibrant community that makes the ECSDN so exceptional. Dive in and experience the highlights of an unforgettable event!
Our Judges
The integrity of the ECSDN Awards is upheld by the expertise and dedication of our esteemed judging panel. We extend our sincere gratitude to the professionals and academics who volunteered their time to review this year’s submissions. Their rigorous and impartial evaluation ensured that each award was granted with the highest level of scrutiny, reflecting the true excellence found within our sector. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to maintaining the professional standards of this network.
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Acknowledging Our Generous Sponsors
An occasion of such scale and significance was never the result of a singular effort; rather, it was a true symphony of collaboration. We were honoured to acknowledge the vital role of our Award Sponsors, whose generosity and belief in our mission were instrumental in bringing the inaugural ECSDN Awards to life. Their support ensured that we could celebrate our sector’s achievements with the prestige they truly deserved.
A Special Word of Thanks
An event this seamless doesn't happen by accident. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our event organizer extraordinaire, Beverley Walters and all members of the organising committee. From the smallest detail to the grandest vision, Beverley has been the engine behind this evening’s success.
What can we say about our host? To have a champion of language, play, and childhood like Michael Rosen guide us through the evening has been a true joy. Michael, thank you for your wit, your warmth, and for being such a powerful voice for the values we hold dear.