Nominations for the Victorian Early Years Awards are now open and it's time for Victorians to nominate their most innovative, inspiring and dedicated early years teachers, educators, organisations and programs improving outcomes for child in their critical early years.
Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn today encouraged early childhood professionals and organisations, families and members of the community to submit their nominations.
The 20th year of the awards celebrates leadership, outstanding achievements and innovation of early years professionals, services and organisations across nine categories.
Categories include creating collaborative community partnerships, improving access and participation, and promoting children's health and wellbeing - recognising the important work involved in improving the health, wellbeing, learning and development of children from birth to eight years.
Victoria's entire early years sector, from maternal child health services to playgroups, early childhood initiatives and everything in between, are eligible for awards.
Outstanding individual contributions to early childhood outcomes will be recognised through the prestigious Early Childhood Teacher and Early Childhood Educator of the Year awards, while outstanding educational leadership will be celebrated through the Emeritus Professor Collette Tayler Excellence in Educational Leadership Award.
Early childhood services embedding Aboriginal perspectives and supporting Aboriginal children and families with access and inclusion will also be recognised through the Aunty Rose Bamblett Koorie Early Years Legacy Award.
All winners will receive $15,000 to further develop their initiatives and share the learnings of their approaches, or to support their professional development. Finalists from the nine categories will also be considered for the prestigious Minister's Award, selected by Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn.
Nominations for the Victorian Early Years Awards close on Thursday 12 June, with finalists announced in August. For more information or to submit a nomination, visit vic.gov.au/victorian-early-years-awards.
As stated by Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn
"Now is the time to start thinking about who you can nominate for the Victorian Early Years Awards - and help early childhood teachers, educators and leaders get the recognition they deserve for their incredible work."
"This year we'll celebrate 20 years of these awards which cover the entire early years sector and their tireless efforts and contributions they make to improve the lives of Victorian children."
