Victoria confirms 2019 Early Years Awards finalists

Jason Roberts

Sep 05, 2019

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Victorian Minister for Education James Merlino has confirmed the identities of the 20 finalists for this year's Victorian Early Years Awards with candidates competing across seven different categories for cash prizes of between $10,000 and $15,000 to further develop their work or to undertake professional development.

The awards, which have been running since 2005, are designed to celebrate the exceptional contributions that individuals and organisations make to improving the learning and development of young children and their families and are open to receiving nominations from any organisation operating in Victoria.

Commenting on the awards, Mr Merlino said that “The Victorian Early Years Awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise our early childhood professionals, and the inspiring work they do every day to set our youngest Victorians up for success in life.”

Award Categories increased in 2019 to include “Continuity in Early Learning” Award

The number of categories included in the Awards ceremony has gradually increased over the years and this year will include for the first time an award that focuses specifically on the continuity of transitions between early years organisations including but not limited to between preschools and primary schools and between community services such as health and welfare, activities, clubs and resources.

The Continuity of Learning Award is one of seven award categories this year:

Category 1: Improving Access and Participation in Early Learning AwardCategory 2: Supporting parents through evidence-based practice AwardCategory 3: Creating Collaborative Community Partnerships AwardCategory 4: Promoting Children's Health and Wellbeing AwardCategory 5: Continuity of Early Learning AwardCategory 6: Early Childhood Teacher of the Year AwardCategory 7: The Emeritus Professor Collette Taylor Excellence in Educational Leadership Award

An additional Award known as the Ministers Award is also announced on the night of the Ceremony to be held on 22 October at the National Gallery of Victoria.

For more detail on the award categories please click here.

20 finalists from across the State competing in this years Awards announced

This year's finalists come from a wide range of service types, settings and organisations. It includes representatives from community, not for profit and for profit early years providers as well as partnerships, collaborations and cooperatives involved in early years projects.

The finalists for this year's Awards are as follows:

Category 1: Improving Access and Participation in Early Learning Award

Word Play by Moreland City LibrariesKoorie Champions Network Group by Wodonga City CouncilDelkaia Aboriginal Best Start by Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Cooperative

Category 2: Supporting parents through evidence-based practice Award

Smalltalk at Brimbank - In Languages other than English by Brimbank City Council Sound Partnerships: Promoting partnerships with families for the teaching of phonics by Rosanna Golf Links Primary SchoolParents Early Education Partnership (PEEP) - by Tomorrow Today Education Foundation

Category 3: Creating Collaborative Community Partnerships Award

Balnarring PreschoolLet's Read Wimmera by Wimmera Southern Mallee Local Learning and Employment NetworkSuper Koorie Kids Bush Playgroup by Willum Warrain Aboriginal Gathering Place

Category 4: Promoting Children's Health and Wellbeing Award

We Love Stories by Banyule Community HealthASPIRE by Good Samaritan Catholic Primary SchoolBabaneek Booboop Early Years Project by Mel

Category 5: Continuity of Early Learning Award

BY FIVE: Wimmera Southern Mallee Early Years Project by Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional PartnershipConnecting Dimboola by Dimboola Primary SchoolWalking from one room into another room by Keysborough Primary School

Category 6: Early Childhood Teacher of the Year Award

Leanne Mits from Pope Road Kindergarten, BlackburnSarah Hubbard from Robyn Jane Children's Centre, Healesville

Category 7: The Emeritus Professor Collette Taylor Excellence in Educational Leadership Award

Windsor Community Children's CentreThe Geelong CollegeCity of Ballarat Children's Services Practice Guide for Educators in Action

The Award winners will be announced at an event to be held at the National Gallery of Victoria on 22 October, 2019.

To attend the awards please email early.years.awards@edumail.vic.gov.au or call (03) 5215 5299.

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