Outstanding educator nominations called for in 2019 HESTA ECEC Awards

Outstanding early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals are being sought as nominations open for the 2019 HESTA Early Childhood Education & Care Awards.

Nominations are sought to recognise educators working with children from birth to eight years of age in a variety of settings including pre-school, long day care, primary school or outside of hours care.

Employers, colleagues and families are encouraged to nominate educators who demonstrate innovation, quality improvement and enhanced learning outcomes for young children, with the nomination window open until 30 June 2019.

HESTA CEO, Debby Blakey, said that making a nomination was an opportunity to recognise the exceptional work being done in the sector.

“Early childhood educators and carers provide a pillar of support for Australian families, allowing parents return to work knowing their children are learning and developing in a safe environment,” Ms Blakey said.

“Submitting a nomination is an opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of those who have enhanced learning outcomes for children and demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation and professionalism.”

In 2018 Lady Gowrie Tasmania Integrated Child and Family Centre were awarded the Advancing Pedagogy and Practice segment, for their evidence-based action research project which builds early childhood educators’ capacity to create opportunities for children to flourish in the areas of physical health and wellbeing.

Sharon Alexander from Lilyfield Early Learning Centre was the 2018 Outstanding Graduate recipient, for designing a peer mentoring program for staff, which supports educators in setting professional development goals and encourages them to critically reflect on their work.

The Building Inclusion category was won by Mikarie Child Care Centre, who were awarded for their early childhood education and care service and curriculum that caters to children with and without a disability in one setting.

The awards are sponsored by ME Bank, providing the $30,000 prize pool, to be divided among the winners in the three award categories — Advancing Pedagogy and Practice, Outstanding Graduate and Building Inclusion.

Winners will receive $10,000 in a ME Everyday Transaction account towards further education or team development.

CEO of ME Bank, Jamie McPhee, said the bank was “incredibly honoured” to be sponsoring the awards, which help bring recognition to the outstanding work of early childhood professionals. ME have supported the awards since 2007, and Mr McPhee expressed his hope that they would continue to be involved “for many years to come.”

“Early childhood professionals provide a service vital to the Australian community. They are challenging roles that are also often under-recognised, which is why these awards are so important in shining a spotlight on the exceptional work they do,” he added.

Finalists in the awards will receive complimentary registration for the Early Childhood Australia National Conference, with interstate finalists flown to Hobart to attend the awards dinner on 26 September 2019.

Online nominations are invited by visiting the HESTA Awards website