Early Years: Kings Birthday 2026 honours round – Now Open

See message below from the Department for Education:

Do you know someone who deserves an Honour!   

As the Kings Birthday New Year 2026 honours round approaches, we are keen to raise the profile of the Early Years, Families and Childcare sector and nominate colleagues who have made a difference.

 The honours system recognises people who have:

• Made achievements in public life
• Committed themselves to serving and helping Britain
• And more specifically, through their hard work, are helping to raise standards in our sector

There are different levels of award:

• Knight or Dame: For a major contribution at national level which is inspirational and significant, requiring commitment over a long period of time.
• Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE):For having a prominent but lesser role at national level, or a leading role at regional level.
• Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE): For having a major local role in any activity, including people whose work has made them known nationally in their chosen area.
• Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE): For an outstanding achievement or service to the community which has a long-term, significant impact and stands out as an example to others.
• British Empire Medal (BEM): For a ‘hands-on’ service to the local community. This could be a long-term charitable or voluntary activity, that has made a significant difference.

​​​​​​​Nominating somebody is much simpler than you imagine, tell us …. Who you think deserves an honour…. Why….and we’ll do the rest!

Please complete the Honours Nomination form with a few bits of information and return to [email protected].  Feel free to send back more than one form and please do forward on to other colleagues who you think would be able to suggest deserving people.

It’s easy….

As well as a few personal details the form asks for a minimum of 500 words on the nominees achievements.  Please do include as much of the following as possible:

• Their achievements
• Examples of what they actually did
• How they have contributed
• Their personal story  
• The impact of their work
• Why what they have done is over and above others that have a similar role
• Circumstances a person has worked/achieved in
• Challenges they have overcome

Any questions please do hesitate to contact Jane -  [email protected]

The deadline for nominations is COP Monday 17^th February 2025