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October 2026 - Issue 3



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Newsletter

Issue 1 - September 2025


Introduction

Welcome to this issue of the newsletter.


As always there is much going on behind the scenes from the executive team – all in their own time which they give tirelessly in order to benefit the ECSDN and its members. HUGE thanks must go to them all as the ECSDN would not operate as it does without them.


The ECSDN awards are still in the process of being organised and look to be a fantastic night and celebration of all things ECS – thanks to those of you who have nominated individuals for awards. You will have seen that the deadline for nominations has been extended to 12th October so there is still time to get your last-minute nominations in. Judging will start very soon and we are looking forward to getting in touch with all of those who are shortlisted.


Please take some time to read this newsletter and keep up to date with all that is happening – it’s such a busy time of year so just take five minutes with a cuppa, sit back and enjoy.


Tanya and Aaron

Deadline for Nominations Extended


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Due to requests from our some of our members, we are extending the nomination portal on the website up to midnight on Sunday 12th October.

 

Head over to the website for any last minute nominations by using the link below;

 

ECSDN Awards are free and 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


ECSDN Award Information


The timeline leading up to the ECSDN Awards ceremony in January has been finalised and the details are as follows;


  • 12 October - Nomination portal closes as midnight

  • week commencing 27 October - Judging Panels to meet

  • week commencing 10 November - shortlist announced via email, the website and published in the Newsletter

  • week commencing 10 November - tickets to the Awards ceremony will go on sale.

Tickets will be £20 per head and this includes a hot buffet. Further information to follow.



Sponsor an ECSDN Award


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We have a couple of opportunities left for your organisation to sponsor one of the categories.


The cost of Sponsorship is £300 and includes the following;

  • One complimentary ticket which includes a hot buffet

  • You will be invited to present your sponsored award on the night

  • Receive promotional photos

  • Recognition as a key supporter of the ECSDN Awards

  • Brand visibility on our website and across social media platforms


For further information contact Jo josteele@ecsdn.org

Launch of the UN Baby Friendly Qualifications Programme


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This week UNICEF have launched applications for the January 2026 cohort of the Baby Friendly Qualification Programme, an eight-month distance learning programme designed to develop a deeper knowledge and understanding related to infant feeding and very early child development.

 

The Leader of Change qualification is new for 2026 and is designed to recognise and develop the infant feeding-related knowledge, skills and professional experience of those working to lead the implementation of the Baby Friendly standards within UK public services and university programmes as well as those advocating for practice to be aligned to the standards within their sphere of influence.

 

Please do share with those who would be interested in applying. As well as those in Specialist Infant Feeding roles, we are also welcoming applications from Speech and Language therapists, Perinatal and Infant mental health teams, Pharmacists, Dieticians and Nutritionists, Social Workers, Peer supporters and Allied Health Professionals.

 

An overview document, podcast, pricing, FAQs and more can be found on our website: unicef.uk/bf-qualifications. Case studies will also be added to the website soon.

 

This year, we are again holding a Q&A drop in session for anyone with questions or queries about whether the Leader of Change programme is right for them, before submitting an application. This will take place on Tuesday 21 October 2025 from 3:00pm-4:30pm, which you can access via this link to join the meeting

 

Applications close on Friday 21 November 2026 at 5pm.

The email address for any queries is: bfiqualification@unicef.org.uk

 


University of Warwick Seek External Examiner - BA (Hons) Early Childhood Degree from the 2025/26 Academic Year


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The University of Warwick: Child and Family Team are delighted to advertise the

post of External Examiner for the BA(Hons) Early Childhood Degree.

 

This post is to commence from the 2025-2026 academic year and will run for a period

of 3 years. This Degree programme supports students who may be returning to

education later in life and hence, may already hold positions within related settings. We

are a vibrant and happy team and we are looking for an External Examiner who is

passionate about Early Childhood Degree programmes and more broadly the Early

Childhood Sector. The post involves attendance at Examination Boards as well as

review support for course developments and enhancements.

Interested colleagues are asked in the first instance to send an expression of interest

and attach their CV by 29th September 2025 to the Director of provision: Dr Charlotte

Survey: Review of the Early Childhood Studies Graduate Practitioner Competencies


As some of you may be aware the Professionalism and Workforce Strategy group (PAWS), on behalf of the ECSDN, are looking to review the Graduate Practitioner Competencies.

The purpose of this review is to ensure the competencies remain current, reflect recent sector changes and government agendas, whilst remaining mindful of the evolving HEI landscape. We are also exploring how the competencies align with international frameworks.

As part of this review the ECSDN are currently seeking feedback from yourselves as Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) on the Graduate Practitioner Competencies (GPCs). We are not looking to make substantive changes as we are aware that this could prompt revalidation of programmes within institutions, this is about enhancing (if needed) the GPCs.

We would be grateful if you could complete the short form below. This consists of 12 questions and may take around 10-20 minutes to complete, dependent on responses.



This form will close on shortly.


Thank you in advance for your contribution.Please note that this this survey is for the purposes of the Early Childhood Studies Degree Network and there is no intention to report on the data outside of members of the network. If you have any questions, please contact:📧 samantha.hoyes@lincolnbishop.ac.uk📧 verity.campbell- barr@plymouth.ac.uk




Debating Childhoods: A new early childhood book


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Due out this month, 'Debating Childhoods' is primarily aimed at Early Childhood students and aims to challenge dominant narratives of childhood, offering a critical exploration of 10 contemporary debates.

Authored by experienced professionals and academics in the field, this thought- provoking book examines the impact of these debates on children's lived experiences through a socio-cultural lens. Bolstered by reflective questions and illustrative case studies, it stimulates discussions on social justice, children's rights, and their positioning within political and economic contexts.

Written for students and professionals, ‘Debating Childhoods’ serves as a catalyst for critical engagement and aims to empower current and future scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to consider their roles in shaping the lives of young children.

The book features a number of contributions from ECSDN members including Jackie Musgrave and Zoe Lewis.


 


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