2026 Bright Start International Conference
Early Years Excellence in Practice
November 19 -21, 2026
London & Abu Dhabi with Global Live Transmission
London & Abu Dhabi: Shaping the Future of Early Childhood
A Global Gathering — Advancing Early Childhood Across Continents
The 2026 Bright Start International Conference brings together a global community of pioneering educators, researchers, neuroscientists, school & system leaders, EdTech innovators, policymakers, and advocates committed to advancing early childhood development for children aged 0–8 years—wherever they are in the world.
Across the world and across disciplines, contributors are encouraged to unite in transforming early childhood learning and care, and in advancing innovation.
Why Present at Bright Start 2026?
- Share your work with a global, interdisciplinary audience and contribute to international dialogue in early childhood.
- Shape the future of early childhood practice, policy, and AI literacies by presenting cutting-edge insights, innovations, and research.
- Connect with leaders, innovators, researchers, and practitioners worldwide, building meaningful collaborations that extend beyond the conference.
- Engage across two continents — London & Abu Dhabi — through a globally connected programme with real-time interaction and exchange.
- Be part of a global movement that elevates children’s creativity, agency, voice, and emerging AI literacies through the evolving Voices of Children Pedagogy™ International Project.
- Publish your work: All accepted submissions will be included in the 2026 Conference Proceedings, and selected papers submitted under the Voices of Children Pedagogy™ Call will be published in the Special Edition of the Journal of Early Childhood Research (SAGE).
Who Should Apply?
- Early childhood educators & practitioners
- Special educators, inclusion specialists & learning support professionals
- Researchers & academics
- Neuroscientists
- Psychologists
- School leaders & system leaders
- EdTech developers & innovators
- Health, therapy & social care professionals
- NGOs, foundations & community organisations
- Policymakers & government representatives
- Artists, designers & creative practitioners
- Anyone contributing to the wellbeing, learning, and development of children aged 0–8 years
2026 Cross-Cutting Conference Programme Pillars
The Evolving Voices of Children Pedagogy™
A core pillar shaping practice, documentation, child agency, creativity, and global collaboration across continents.
An ever-evolving and sustainable framework shaped by children, strengthened by educators, researchers, EdTech experts, and families, and informed by real-world practice across diverse cultural contexts. Explore the Voices of Children Pedagogy™.
Designed to build a more inclusive, responsive, and future-ready world for all children, everywhere.
AI Literacies Professional Learning Module
A major focus of the 2026 programme, this pillar drives forward-thinking discussions, knowledge exchange, and collaborative exploration of ethical and developmentally appropriate AI, digital play, and emerging technologies. It advances the shared goal of developing the world’s first AI Literacies Professional Learning Module for early childhood—an adaptable, globally relevant framework designed to support educators everywhere in preparing children for an AI-enriched future.
2026 Conference Themes
The Global Educator Studio
A dynamic space where educators share transformative practices, classroom innovations, and pedagogical approaches that strengthen early learning across diverse contexts.
The Global Researcher Studio
A dedicated forum for researchers and neuroscientists to exchange emerging evidence, methodologies, and insights that advance the science of early childhood development worldwide.
AI and Early Childhood Education of 2035
Exploring how artificial intelligence, digital tools, and emerging technologies are reshaping learning environments — and what the future of early childhood education could look like.
Child-Led Play: Inquiry, Imagination & Agency
Celebrating children as active, capable learners. This theme highlights play-based inquiry, creativity, exploration, and the conditions that foster autonomy, confidence, and joy in learning.
Family, Community & Home–School Partnerships
Showcasing models that strengthen the essential relationships between families, educators, and communities to support children's wellbeing, learning, and holistic development.
Autism, Inclusion & Diverse Learning Needs
Focusing on evidence-based practices, inclusive pedagogies, and environments that ensure every child — regardless of need, ability, or background — can learn, participate, and thrive.
Global Research Spotlight
Featuring groundbreaking studies, cross-country collaborations, and findings that illuminate global trends, challenges, and opportunities in early childhood development.
Innovations Changing Early Childhood
A showcase of bold ideas, tools, and approaches — from EdTech to creative arts — redefining what is possible in early childhood learning, care, health, and wellbeing.
The Future of Early Childhood & Global Commitments
The Future of Early Childhood & Global Commitments
Examining the policies, frameworks, global treaties, and collective actions needed to secure equitable, high-quality early childhood experiences for all children, everywhere.
Journal of Early Childhood Research — Call for Papers
Special Edition on the Voices of Children Pedagogy™
Calling for Submissions from:
a) Researchers, neuroscientists, and educators worldwide are invited to submit papers showcasing studies, case examples, or innovative practices that elevate children’s voices, agency, creativity, and participation, in alignment with the principles and objectives of the Voices of Children Pedagogy™.
b) Researchers and neuroscientists are also encouraged to collaborate with educators in countries where selected preschools have been designated as Voices of Children Pedagogy™ Centres—already implementing the evolving stages of the pedagogy—contributing papers that document the implementation journey, early findings, and the pedagogy’s impact on children, educators, and families.Learn more about the initiative HERE.
Submission Deadline: 4 September 2026
All papers will undergo peer review in accordance with the journal’s academic standards.
Full submission guidelines will be published in February 2026.
How the Arena Is Organised
Online Participation & Access
How the Arena Is Organised
The Arena is structured around clearly branded thematic stations, each aligned with key conference focus areas, including:
- AI Tools & Emerging Technologies in Early Childhood
- Play-Based Learning & Creative Exploration
- STEAM, Inquiry & Problem-Solving in Early Childhood
- Family, Community & Home–School Partnerships
- Curriculum Innovation & Transformation
- Inclusion, Accessibility & Diverse Learning Needs
- Educator Practice, Reflection & Professional Learning
What Each Station Includes
Online Participation & Access
How the Arena Is Organised
Each station is designed for small-group, hands-on engagement and includes:
- Modular tables accommodating up to 10 participants at a time
- Seating arranged to support interaction and discussion
- A dedicated display table for partner materials and resources
- Branding and signage at each station
Participants are invited to take part in guided micro-activities, explore materials, test tools, and engage in live demonstrations—creating meaningful, practice-focused learning experiences throughout the conference.
Online Participation & Access
Online Participation & Access
Online Participation & Access
The Interactive Learning Arena is designed to engage both in-person and online participants.
Online attendees will have access to:
- A 15–20 minute live online demonstration session on Thursday, 19 November, with the video recording available during the conference and for three months post-event.
- Digital resources and materials uploaded to the conference app, accessible before, during, and after the conference
Join Bright Start Foundation's Special Interest Groups
🌟 Enter a global network of early childhood practitioners and researchers, united to drive positive change in early childhood care and education across the world.