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April 2026 - Issue 10




Newsletter

Issue 10 - April 2026


Introduction


Introduction


Introduction

Welcome to this issue of the newsletter – the first of the Spring term, after the Easter break. We hope that you managed to get some time for rest and relaxation and are feeling suitably refreshed. Just before the break we were very fortunate to hold our in-person AGM, which was hosted at UCB (huge thanks must go to Emma Davis and the team for looking after us!). The AGM is a fabulous opportunity to come together and truly put the networking into the network - at the same time reflecting on all that we have achieved over the last twelve months. Considering we are volunteers and do this alongside the busy day jobs, we really do manage to accomplish a lot together.


As well as looking back over the last year, we also use the AGM to begin to plan for the year ahead. This AGM was particularly special as we voted in some new roles to the executive group to focus on the work we intend to do moving forward. We now have new strategy groups to look at an international aspect of ECSDN, a new group to focus on Alumni and another to concentrate on student voice and membership. Adding these groups to our already successful strategy groups will enhance the work of the network further and continue to build on the excellent work that is happening.


Keep an eye out on the website and on future editions of the newsletter to see where these groups lead and how you could potentially become involved moving forward. As we have said many times, the network is only as good as the people in it – a network is nothing without committed individuals becoming involved.


Thanks once again to all who dedicate their time and efforts to the benefit of students, and ultimately the families and children. Each of us can make a difference!


Best regards,


Tanya and Aaron

 

ECSDN Awards 2027



ECSDN Seek Treasurer

We are delighted to announce that plans are well under way for the second ECSDN Awards Ceremony. Save the date for Friday 29th January 2027 and the venue will be at the University of Northampton. We are currently looking into celebrity hosts and would like to put this out to our members if any of you know of or have a connection to a celebrity who may be happy to do this role - its a big role to fill as Michael Rosen was so amazing! Please contact Jo Steele if you have any suggestions josteele@ecsdn.org.



Launch of Outdoor Learning Toolkit



Outdoor learning is often seen as simply taking classroom activities outside. However, a new Outdoor Agency Toolkit, developed by Bekah Gear of Nottingham Trent University, through close-to-practice research in an English Early Years Foundation Stage setting, explores how outdoor environments can support children’s independence, confidence and decision-making.


At the heart of the toolkit is the Outdoor Agency Model, which highlights three factors that shape children’s experiences outdoors: environmental conditions, adult role, and culture and community. These factors influence how spaces invite choice and challenge, how practitioner language and presence can enable or restrict agency, and how children’s home experiences shape their confidence to take risks and explore.


It’s a resource designed to help early years settings rethink the outdoor environment not just as a play space, but as an active partner in learning.




Call for Help - Is any university offering a Masters with Graduate Practitioner Competencies


If your university is offering a Masters with Graduate Practice Competencies, could you kindly reach out to Sigrid Brogaard-Clausen via her email address; S.Brogaard-Clausen@Roehampton.ac.uk


 


To register for this meeting, please follow the link below; https://forms.gle/5w11FhSk2iRURmpDA



Questionnaire : Children’s opportunities for outdoor play, understanding of nature and sustainability in Nigeria, Ghana, Denmark and United Kingdom


The staff at the University of Roehampton have asked if you could help to distribute this questionnaire on Children’s opportunities for outdoor play, understanding of nature and sustainability in Nigeria, Ghana, Denmark and United Kingdom


Outdoor play, nature and sustainability in early childhood (0-8 year olds),United Kingdom – Fill in form


They hope to reach participants working in early childhood care and education (with children up to 8 years) to help us develop understandings of young children’s opportunities for outdoor play, understanding of nature and sustainability in Nigeria, Ghana, Denmark and United Kingdom. They will disseminate the findings in short videos to develop shared knowledge and attention.


 

Little Steps - Big Futures:  A Sustainability Strategy Group Podcast


Sustainability is as much about conversation as it is about action.

 

Our monthly podcast, Little Steps - Big Futures, brings together the leading voices in the sector to explore how we can bridge the gap between global goals and daily pedagogy.


Each episode is a 30-minute deep dive featuring:


  • Sustainability Experts: Breaking down the "why" behind environmental and social justice.


  • Early Childhood Leaders: Sharing their journey of transforming settings and curricula.


  • The Voice of the Future: Insights from students and early-career researchers who are bringing fresh perspectives to the field.


More than just a talk show, every episode concludes with "The Practitioner’s Toolkit"— clear, actionable guidance on how to weave the themes discussed into your own teaching practice and setting management.


New Episode Every Month: Whether you’re a student, a childminder, or a nursery manager, join us as we explore what it means to grow a sustainable future, one conversation at a time. Head over to the ECSDN website to listen to the first podcast, find downloadable & printable resources, activity ideas and so much more; Sustainability Resources | ECSDN


 




Invitation to 'end‑of‑project learning event for the ESRC‑funded Children’s Participation in Schools project'


UWE are pleased to invite ECSDN members to the end‑of‑project learning event for the ESRC‑funded Children’s Participation in Schools project.


This event will bring together educators, advisers, policymakers, and inspectors to explore what it means to recognise children as rights‑holders and curious meaning‑makers within educational settings.


This participatory afternoon event, hosted at Techniquest, Cardiff (Stuart St, Cardiff CF10 5BW) on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, will showcase key insights from the project and create opportunities for meaningful dialogue about how children’s participation can inform policy, practice, and professional learning across sectors.


The event will be interactive and collaborative, offering space to share learning and reflect on the implications of the research. Participants will engage in: Short seminars and provocations from project partners; Roundtable discussions with education and policy professionals; Opportunities to reflect on research findings and practical applications; Time to connect and network with colleagues and stakeholders.


We will begin with a buffet lunch at 12:30, followed by an engaging programme of presentations, discussions, and collaborative sessions throughout the afternoon.



If you have any questions or would like further information, please feel free to get in touch at child.participation@uwe.ac.uk 1 /



ECSDN members, are you interested in either presenting or having a stand at the EHU conference being held at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Lancashire?


The date is Wednesday 17 June 2026, 9am to Thursday 18 June 2026, 6pm

If you have a preferred date, please do let Karen Boardman know via email : boardmak@edgehill.ac.uk The deadline is Monday 20 April at 4pm.


The Call for Contributions sets out the different ways you can contribute, from posters to workshops. Contributions on research, practice, partnership...are all welcome.




Play Matters : Cardboard Box Day 10th July 2026


There is now a dedicated webpage for Play Matters: Cardboard Box Day, taking place on 10 July 2026.


You can find everything you need here:



This is a simple but powerful national moment for our sector, a chance to come together and celebrate the value of play in its purest form.


At its heart, it’s about stripping things back:


  • A box.

  • A child.

  • A world of possibilities.


We are inviting early years settings, schools, childminders, families, and organisations to take part and share how children engage with something as simple as a cardboard box. It’s a joyful day, bringing everyone together around a shared purpose, championing play.

We’d really appreciate your support in helping to spread the word. Please do share the webpage with your networks, colleagues, and communities, and encourage others to get involved.


Together, we can create something special and highlight just how powerful play can be. It’s also an opportunity to show unity and togetherness which is a positive for our sector.





Research Article : A funds of knowledge approach to explore how play-based pedagogies support mixed ethnic identity formation: listening to children’s perspectives


Written by Dr Sharon Colilles of Bath Spa University this article contends that identity development employing children's perspectives enables educators to acknowledge and respond to their unique personal identities. Created are opportunities to validate insights about how children choose to co-construct and ascribe meaning to their mixed origins.





Article - The Power of Early Childhood Settings in Supporting the Developing Professional


Introduction


“Completing the competencies has allowed me to reflect on my values as a practitioner and think about how this will influence my future practice.” Kaitlin Toland – ECGPC Graduate 2023 - Inspiring and aspiring the future early years workforce involves having a unique set of characteristics and dispositions which incorporates promoting best practice. Through shared principles and values, we are able to celebrate and acknowledge the valuable role of the student and professional partner. The opportunity to engage in collaborative dialogue is promoted through commitment to the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies (ECGPC).


The article was written by Dr Faye Stanley from the University of Wolverhampton. The full article can be found on the ECSDN website The Power of Early Childhood Settings in Supporting the Developing Professional



Save The Date : Members Meeting 22nd May 9:30am to12:30pm Online




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