February 2025 - Issue 7
- Matthew K, Northall
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Newsletter
Issue 7 - February 2026
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
Well – we have so much to report on. What a busy time we have been having! As you will probably be aware 2026 kicked off with a fabulous ECSDN awards ceremony – the first time we have held such an event and what a success it was! We could not have wished for a better event to celebrate our wonderful graduates. More details of the evening can be found in the body of the newsletter below.
Also we have held our annual research conference and again what a wonderful celebration of Early Childhood – more details of this will be in the next newsletter.
None of these events would happen without the hard work and dedication of those who give time and effort to ensuring that things run smoothly and HUGE thanks must go to each and every person who have been involved in these celebrations – you know who you are!
The next event on the horizon is our AGM – due to be held, in person, on Friday 27th March at Birmingham. Please put the dates in your diaries and more details will follow in due course.
Please remember this is YOU network and the strength comes from sharing, networking and discussing so please do keep sending things in for the newsletters – it is always good to hear of success stories, publications etc – so please do keep in touch. Hopefully we will see you in person at the AGM but the newsletter is a great way to continue to network in the interim.
Best regards,
Tanya and Aaron
Inaugural ECSDN Awards Ceremony and Reception
On Friday 23rd January we held the first ECSDN awards evening. It was a HUGE success and full of glitz and glamour. Michael Rosen was the compere for the evening and had the room enthralled with his story telling and his award introductions. The evening celebrated the very best of our wonderful graduates and Early Childhood impact and advocacy and the atmosphere was electric and respectful in equal measures. We need to offer a big thanks to all of our judges and all those who made the evening the success it was. Also thanks need to go to all who were involved in the planning, preparation and delivery of the evening – it really did take a team of people to manifest the event with planning that spanned around 18 months and we are extremely grateful for all who helped. The event will definitely be repeated so please look out for future communications around this. It is certainly an event not to be missed! Please see the photographs below of some of our award winners.
Help Shape the Frobel Trusts Priorities in 2027 and Beyond
The Froebel Trust is an endowed charity, which provides grants and resources for early childhood education and care.
The Froebel Trust's new strategy will be created in 2026 and educators, academics and stakeholders in the early childhood sector are being asked to help shape it. The Trust is asking people to complete the survey so it can target its resources to help meet the needs and interests of the early childhood sector and Froebelian community in 2027-2030.
To participate, please complete the anonymous short survey by 19th February 2026. <link is https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TELL-US-2026>
The new strategy will be published towards the end of 2026. If you have any questions about this consultation, please email office@froebeltrust.org.uk. Thank you in advance for your help.
Journal of Childhood, Education and Society written by Dr Juliette Wilson-Thomas and Josephine Gabi
A Critical Race Theory Analysis of Top-Down and Ground-Up Regulatory Documents in Early Years Practice This article utilises Gillborn’s framework for engaging Critical Race Theory in policy to analyse the priorities, outcomes and beneficiaries of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the Office for Standards in Education’s (Ofsted) regulatory framework, and Birth to 5 Matters. A critical race theory analysis of top-down and ground-up regulatory documents in early years practice | Journal of Childhood, Education & Society
To purchase tickets for The Voice of Early Childhood Conference please use the following link: https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2026/
ECSDN AGM
Venue: University College Birmingham
Date: 27 March
Time: 09:00 - 16:00
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