Issue 14: April 2025
- ECSDN
- Apr 11
- 4 min read
Newsletter
Issue 14 - April 2025
We're very happy to share the news that Jo Josephidou (Open University) has recently joined Eva as co-chair of the Research and Knowledge Exchange Group, effective 1st April 2025. Welcome aboard, Jo!
Earlier this month, the group met to continue their focus on student publications, the annual conference and funded research. We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been supporting and encouraging students to submit their work for publication and to present at the conference. Your efforts are invaluable.
Call for Papers for Students Publication – Coming Soon! Keep an eye on our social media platforms and the regular newsletter—we’ll be announcing details shortly!
The RKE funded research project, Early Childhood Studies Graduates in the Workplace: Experiences and Perceptions, has now entered its final phase. The final report is scheduled for submission this summer, and we’re all looking forward to reading the findings from this important research, led by Dr. Zoe Lewis (Birmingham City University).
We are currently seeking passionate individuals to join the strategy group. If you’re keen to contribute to the fantastic work we’re doing, we’d love to hear from you! (And yes—we promise our meetings are fun too!)
Finally, we’re looking forward to receiving more student work, especially reflection papers on professional practice and placement experiences. These submissions continue to inspire us—they’re all amazing!
All the best
Eva and Jo
ECSDN Awards Ceremony
23 January 2026
Join us at the University of Northampton
'The Leathersellers’ Hide'
Calling all Early Childhood students and practitioners
We are absolutely thrilled to announce the launch of the ECSDN Awards 2026, a celebration of the very best early childhood research, pedagogy and practice available.
Taking place at the University of Northampton’s prestigious 'Leathersellers’ Hide', this is your opportunity to acknowledge, celebrate and thank fellow students, lecturers practitioners and early years providers in the best possible way.
Nominations close at midnight on 30th September 2025, with the shortlist announced December for achievements in the 2024 / 2025 academic year. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Friday 23rd January 2026 with an informal dinner, celebration of achievements and a fun packed evening of entertainment.
At the launch Dr Tanya Richardson, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood and Co-chair of the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network (ECSDN) said “it’s an absolute privilege to work with such brilliant, professional and dedicated colleagues who work tirelessly to drive the standards and professionalism in early years practice ever higher and I’m so proud of all our students and their achievements. The ECSDN Awards are for each and every one of you, an opportunity to recognise your efforts, and Dr Aaron Bradbury, co-chair of the ECSDN and I are looking forward to celebrating with as many of you as possible in January”.
Entry is free and the ECSDN Awards are open to all membership institutions to nominate to the following categories:
· Graduate of the year
· Outstanding Early Childhood practitioner of the year
· Researcher of the year
· Placement provider of the year
· Mentor of the year
· Early Childhood advocate of the year
· Publication of the year
· Social impact of the year
· Best innovation / practice with babies of the year
· Early Childhood transformation of the year
Details of how to submit your nominations for the ECSDN Awards 2026 will be coming soon.
We need your help!
Volunteer judges wanted!
Winners of the ECSDN Awards will be chosen by a distinguished panel of judges, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience of early years to evaluate each entry against category requirements.
If you believe you have the knowledge and integrity to it takes to be a volunteer judge for the ECSDN Awards, we would like to hear from you.
Volunteer judges will receive a free place at the awards ceremony.
To volunteer to be an ECSDN Awards judge or if you have questions about nominating someone to one of the award categories, please contact Jo Steele, ECSDN administrator, at josteele@ecsdn.org. The deadline for volunteers is 30/04/2025.
External Examiner for BA (Hons) Early Years Education and Care York St John University
The area of Children, Young People and Education at York St John University is seeking to appoint an External Examiner for BA (Hons) Early Years Education and Care beginning academic year 2025-26.
The role is suited for academics with expertise in early years or related areas - an understanding of the GPCs would be an advantage but is not essential.
For further details and to apply, please send a brief expression of interest email and a CV to the Associate Head (Education and Counselling) Dr Emma Walker at e.walker@yorksj.ac.uk by Friday, 25th April 2025.
Save the Date - 2 June, 2pm
Professionalisation and Workforce Subgroup Drop In
Following the AGM, the PAWS group will be holding an online session to explore how HEIs deliver the Graduate Practitioner Competencies, and work-based learning pathways more broadly, considering things such as how we manage time and costs in a challenging HE climate. Colleagues from Anglia Ruskin will talk through their approach and we invite others to collaborate and share ideas.
We will also use the session as a chance for people to begin feedback on the requirements of the competencies in line with the wider review that will be taking place over the next year or so.
In the meantime do also take a look at our case studies on the website in our PAWS section:
We will be in contact nearer to the time with joining instructions.
All the best
Verity and Sam
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