September 2026 - Issue 16
Issue 16 - Friday 09 October 2026
Welcome
Dear ECSDN Members and Colleagues,
Welcome to the latest issue of our network newsletter! As an Executive member and lead practitioner on the Community of Practice Group, I am delighted to kick things off and guide you through a packed and inspiring edition.
This issue is full of fantastic updates, starting with a crucial reminder that nominations are now officially open for the 2027 ECSDN Awards. This is your golden opportunity to champion the outstanding leadership, research, and practice happening across our sector. With the wonderful Konnie Huq joining us as our official Master of Ceremonies, the celebration event is shaping up to be truly unforgettable. Please don't wait—head over to review the categories and submit your nominations!
We also have several exciting opportunities and events highlighted in this edition for you and your students to engage with:
Community of Practice & Student Support: Be sure to check out our promotional posters and details for the upcoming Professionalism and Workforce Strategy Group Community of Practice meeting on 14 October, as well as our drive to bring student voices to the forefront through the Student Strategy Group. Please download the Student Strategy Group poster and share them widely with your staff and students!
Sector Opportunities & Updates: Explore the open request for feedback from Skills England on occupational standards (closing 16 October 2026), Leeds Beckett University's call for an external reviewer for their new Early Childhood Studies degree, and an upcoming digital wellbeing webinar hosted by the 1001 Critical Days Foundation.
Dive into the newsletter below to read all the details, access the registration links, and see how you can get involved. Thank you for your continued dedication to elevating early childhood studies!
Warm regards,
Debborah Nye
Subject: Nominate Now! 2027 ECSDN Awards – Celebrating Excellence with Konnie Huq
Dear ECSDN Members,
It is time to shine a spotlight on the incredible dedication, innovation, and impact happening across our sector!
We are thrilled to officially remind you that nominations are now open for the 2027 ECSDN Awards. This is your chance to champion the outstanding practice, research, and leadership taking place in early childhood studies and ensure that the brilliant work of your colleagues and peers gets the recognition it deserves.
Why You Should Submit a Nomination
Celebrate Excellence: Acknowledge the projects, individuals, and teams who go above and beyond to drive our sector forward.
Elevate Our Impact: Share inspiring success stories that showcase the vital importance and high calibre of work within the ECSDN community.
Inspire Others: Set a benchmark for best practice and motivate the next generation of early childhood professionals.
An Unforgettable Celebration
We are also beyond excited to announce that the wonderful Konnie Huq will be joining us as the official Master of Ceremonies for the awards! Well-known for her passion, energy, and brilliant broadcasting career, Konnie is sure to make our celebration event an unforgettable experience for everyone in attendance.
How to Enter
Head over to the ECSDN website to view the award categories, check the criteria, and submit your nominations.
Important Deadline: Make sure to submit your nominations before mid-October to ensure your nominees are in the running!
Let’s come together to celebrate, elevate, and applaud the phenomenal work happening across our network. We cannot wait to read your nominations and celebrate with you all!
Warm regards,
The ECSDN Team
Leeds Beckett University Seeks External Reviewer for New Early Childhood Studies Degree
LEEDS — Leeds Beckett University is actively developing a new BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies with Graduate Practitioner Competencies degree, scheduled for delivery starting in September 2028. As part of its curriculum validation process, the university is seeking an experienced academic colleague to join the project as an external reviewer.
Shaping the Next Generation of Practitioners
The university is particularly welcoming expressions of interest from professionals with current experience in Early Childhood Studies within higher education. Ideal candidates will possess direct knowledge or experience regarding programme development, validation, and/or the Graduate Practitioner Competencies framework.
To safeguard the academic integrity and independence of the validation process, prospective reviewers must not have been employed by, studied at, or acted as an external examiner for Leeds Beckett University within the last five years. Furthermore, any other current or previous associations with the institution must be fully declared.
Role Details
Compensation: The external reviewer role attracts a standard fee of £125.
Impact: Reviewers will play a direct role in helping shape the curriculum and standards for the next generation of early childhood professionals.
How to Apply
Colleagues interested in finding out more or submitting an expression of interest are encouraged to contact Helen Young via email at helen.young2@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Shape the Future of Occupational Standards: Skills for Work Feedback Open
Skills England has launched a major request for feedback titled "Skills for Work: Shaping the Future of Occupational Standards," focusing on an evidence-led, employer-informed, and future-focused approach. Stakeholders across the network are encouraged to share their insights before the consultation closes on 16 October 2026.
Who Should Respond?
The initiative is seeking vital perspectives from a broad spectrum of the sector, including:
Employers
Providers
Awarding Organisations
Sector Bodies
Strategic Authorities
Apprentices
Local Partners
Key Themes Explored
The Skills for Work initiative explores how the current system of occupational standards—and the products they support—can better drive growth and support key areas. Feedback is specifically being gathered on how the skills system can:
Support Young People: Help young people transition into skilled jobs and careers.
Growth & Employers: Support economic growth and directly address pressing skills needs.
Places & Regions: Grant employers and local areas greater flexibility to meet regional demands.
Future Skills: Adequately prepare the workforce for AI, digital advancement, and Net Zero.
System Simplification: Make the overall system easier and simpler to navigate.
How to Take Part
Deadline: 16 October 2026.
Action: Complete the request for feedback by scanning the QR code provided in the campaign materials
Join the Upcoming ECSDN Professionalism and Workforce Strategy Group Community of Practice Meeting
Date: Wednesday, 14 October
Time: 2:00 PM
The ECSDN Professionalism and Workforce Strategy Group is hosting its upcoming Community of Practice meeting, tailored specifically for partner colleges and universities that deliver level five early childhood programs.
Who is Invited?
Providers of FdAs, apprenticeships, HNDs, HTQs, and other level five early childhood courses.
Institutions and colleagues who are part of the ECSDN network.
How to Join
If you would like to attend, please register your interest to receive the official join link for the session. You can access the registration link through the network's latest announcements and event pages.
Shape the Future of Early Childhood Studies: Join the ECSDN Student Strategy Group
"Real students. Fresh perspectives. Greater impact."
The ECSDN Student Strategy Group exists to place the student voice firmly at the heart of the network's work. By providing vital insight, challenge, and feedback, the group helps shape current and future ECSDN strategies, initiatives, and sector developments under the guiding motto: "Your voice. Our future."
Core Purpose and Objectives
The Student Strategy Group focuses on several key areas to drive positive change:
Provide authentic student perspectives on early childhood studies provision, related policy, and practice.
Test ideas and proposals developed by various ECSDN working groups.
Contribute to improving student engagement, experiences, and outcomes across member institutions.
Strengthen collaboration between students and academics within the ECSDN.
Why Get Involved?
Participating in the Student Strategy Group offers a unique opportunity to:
Help shape the ECSDN's strategic plans, initiatives, and communications.
Represent students by sharing views on sector issues and student experiences.
Build a professional network by connecting with peers, academics, and industry professionals.
Make a tangible impact as part of a group that turns student insight into real change.
Please download the promotional poster via the link below and share it with your staff and students: Poster Download Link
Navigating the Digital World: Infants, Families, and Professional Well-being in the Early Year
This webinar from the International Journal of Birth and Parent Education (IJBPE), in collaboration with the University of Northampton and hosted by the 1001 Critical Days Foundation, will bring together leading UK and international expertise to explore how digital technologies are shaping the experiences of infants, families and the professionals who support them.
Participants will hear evidence-informed perspectives on the opportunities and challenges of growing up in a digital world, the impact of technology on early development and family relationships, and approaches that can help professionals support the wellbeing of babies and their families.
Here is the link to register: https://www.1001criticaldays.com/ijbpe
Programme, all times UK
6.30pm: Opening and Chairing Dr Helen Simmons, Course Leader for the Master of Arts in Infant and Family Mental Health and Wellbeing at the University of Northampton and Deputy Editor of IJBPE
6.35pm: Welcome addressWill Quince, Chief Executive of the 1001 Critical Days Foundation
6.50pm: Screen Smart and Screen Safe from the StartWill Maurer, Executive Director of the Children’s Media Research and Reform Lab, USA
7.10pm: Empowering Parents through Empowering PractitionersProfessor Eunice Lumsden OBE, Emeritus Professor of Child Advocacy at the University of Northampton and Editor of IJBPE
7.30pm: The Impacts of AI in Infancy Are Everyone’s BusinessDr Emily Goodacre and Professor Jenny Gibson, PEDAL, the Play and Education Development and Learning Centre at the University of Cambridge
7.50pm: Closing commentsDr Helen Simmons
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