Array ( [article_id] => 21696 [company_id] => 1 [user_id] => 0 [article_type_id] => 58 [article_seo_url] => mfp26 [details] => Array ( [Title] => My First Poem 2026 [Description] => Introduce poetry in a fun and simple way with My First Poem! [Subheading] => [Age] => Ideal for EYFS [Intro] =>

My First Poem invites the children in your setting to complete a special poetry template that celebrates their uniqueness and their favourite person. It makes a wonderful keepsake, capturing their favourite things and the people they love.

Taking part is fun and easy, and My First Poem also supports the EYFS literacy requirements, ECAT and the ELG of being imaginative and expressive. So get your setting involved today! Remember to let us know why your setting should win the £1,000 prize when you send your entries!

You can see last year's winners here - congratulations to the winner and runner-up!

For every 30 entries you submit, you get a free copy of the book your children feature in so every participating nursery receives at least 1 free copy, and children whose work we'd like to publish will receive a certificate, so they can display it proudly for all to see.

[Rules] =>

• Only one entry per child, there is no limit to the number of entries per setting. 
• Please submit your entries all together where possible!
• Poems can be on the entry form or an A4 sheet of paper or the editable PDF.
• Poems must be each child's own work/words.
• Ensure that all children's names, ages, key worker and setting are included on the entry form. (Entries can be submitted with first names only or initials if needed.)
• Templates can be scribed/typed by an adult.
• Open to children attending a UK nursery or preschool setting.
• Free to enter.

[School Prizes] =>

For Nurseries / Preschools

1st Prize - £1,000

For a chance to win £1,000 for your setting, simply let us know how you would spend the money! Will you spruce up your outdoor areas, improve your lending library, or refresh your toys and resources? Write us a note to let us know and include it with your entries to be considered for the prize.

Runner-Up Prize

One setting will win an amazing lending library!

PLUS a complimentary copy of the book your children feature in! (Remember, you receive 1 free copy for every 30 entries you submit! E.g. 1-30 entries you receive 1 copy, 31-60 entries you receive 2 copies, etc.)

[Student Prizes] => Array ( [time] => 1782477729432 [blocks] => Array ( [0] => Array ( [id] => G7sGiC1h0D [type] => paragraph [data] => Array ( [text] => All children whose poems we'd love to publish will receive a certificate of merit, and all entrants will receive a bookmark. [alignment] => left ) ) ) [version] => 2.31.6 ) [Tips] => Array ( [time] => 1782477729432 [blocks] => Array ( ) [version] => 2.31.6 ) [YouTube] => [Opens] => 2026-01-05 [Closes] => 2026-03-13 [Extended] => 1 [Orion ID] => 727 [RR Ontraport ID] => 762 [DL Ontraport ID] => 763 [Post Class] => EYFS [Orion Teacher Year] => EYFS [How to Enter] => We can't wait to read your little ones' poems! [Winners Subheading] => We're delighted to announce the winners... [Winners Intro] =>

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in My First Poem 2025 national poetry competition.

We loved reading all of the entries we received.

We are delighted to announce the winner and runner-up for this year...

[Winner Word] => Nursery [Hide Writing Portal] => 1 [Schools/Clubs] => Schools [Thumbnail] => https://bonacia-sites.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/young-writers/ems/competitions/1765275953-5702-MFP2026Icon.jpg [Background] => https://bonacia-sites.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/young-writers/ems/competitions/1765275953-1255-MFP2026Background.jpg [Logo] => https://bonacia-sites.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/young-writers/ems/competitions/1765275953-9434-MFP2026Logo.png [Independent Intro] =>

My First Poem invites your child to complete a special poetry template that celebrates their favourite things, capturing their uniqueness. 

It makes a lovely keepsake to look back on, and a wonderful tribute to a treasured person in their life. 

My First Poem supports the EYFS literacy requirements of being imaginative and expressive. Taking part is fun and easy, so get your child involved today!

How To Enter

Email your child's entry along with their name and full address to: [email protected]

OR

Upload their entry at www.youngwriters.co.uk/competitions/enter

OR

Post your child's entry along with their, name and full address to:

Young Writers - My First Poem
Remus House
Peterborough
PE2 9BF

Closing Date: 27th February 2026

[Independent Rules] =>

• Only one entry per child.
• Your child's poem can be on the entry form or an A4 sheet of paper or the editable PDF.
• Your child's poem must be their own work/words.
• Ensure that your child's name, age and address are included on the entry form.
• Templates can be scribed/typed with an adult's assistance.
• Open to children attending a UK nursery or preschool setting.
• Free to enter.

[Independent Prizes] =>

All children whose poems we'd love to publish will receive a certificate of merit, and all entrants will receive a bookmark.

[Meta Title] => My First Poem competition for nurseries and preschools [Meta Description] => My First Poem is a fun and engaging way to introduce poetry to your children... [Meta Keywords] => my first poem, my first poem 2026, my first poem winners, how to write a poem, my first poem 2025 winners, nursery winner, young writers winner [Share Title] => My First Poem competition for nurseries and preschools [Share Description] => My First Poem is a fun and engaging way to introduce poetry to your children... [Layout] => main-comp [Icon] => https://bonacia-sites.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/young-writers/ems/competitions/1765276342-4781-MFP2026Icon.jpg [Category] => EYFS [Type] => poetry [Country] => UK [Resource Hub Text] =>
[Letters Sent Date] => 2026-05-04 [Letters Sent Satus] => ✔ Completed [Books Published Start Date] => 2026-05-18 [Books Published End Date] => 2026-06-22 [Books Published Status] => ⏳ Coming Soon [Winners Announced Date] => 2026-07-17 [Winners Announced Status] => ⏳ Coming Soon [json Student Prizes] => 1 [json Tips] => 1 [How to Enter Image] => https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/bonacia-sites/young-writers/competitions/my-first-poem-2024/1623-writing-portal-image.png [Video Placeholder] => https://bonacia-sites.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/young-writers/ems/competitions/1765276293-4631-MyFirstPoementryform.png [School Prize] => https://bonacia-sites.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/young-writers/ems/competitions/1765276520-8224-1000FORWEB.png [Student Prize] => [Banner Background] => https://bonacia-sites.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/young-writers/ems/competitions/1765275953-789-MFP2026BannerBackground.jpg [Banner Logo] => https://bonacia-sites.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/young-writers/ems/competitions/1765275954-8093-MFP2026BannerLogo.png [Share Image] => https://bonacia-sites.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/young-writers/ems/competitions/1765276342-1964-MFP2026Icon.jpg ) [date_created] => 2025-12-09 10:19:53 [last_updated] => 2026-06-26 13:42:09 [sort_order] => 17 [incoming] => 0 [live] => 1 [archived] => 0 [deleted] => 0 )