Nominations for 2022 VEYA Awards close on Monday: Recognise real life excellence

Every year the stories of “real life excellence” are showcased through the finalists and winners of the Victorian Early Years Awards (VEYA). 

In 2022, the Department of Education and Training Victoria has made a special effort to showcase the diversity and breadth of amazing talent in the early years sector, releasing three short videos which tell the story of some previous winners and their efforts to improve the lives and educational outcomes for Victorian children and families. 

The videos showcase the work of organisations like Body Safety Australia, who secured an award in 2020 for their efforts to educate children on body safety using age-appropriate song, storytelling and activities,  is just one example of the types of unsung heroes the awards aim to find and celebrate. 

Caring Mums, a program which offers a free service to support parents to develop confidence in their parenting skills, and boosts their capability as their child’s first and most important teacher is another program represented as an example of the types of recipients who are recognised each year through VEYA nominations and awards. 

Of course, services which exemplify innovation, quality and the use of evidence based practices to improve the lives of children also  play a huge part in the awards program too, like past VEYA winners Haileybury Early Learning Centre. 

These amazing programs, services and individuals deserve to be celebrated, and that’s why families, early childhood professionals and early years organisations to nominate themselves or others before midnight on Monday. 

In 2022, the awards will celebrate the achievements and commitment of early childhood professionals across seven award categories, including improving access and participation, supporting parents and promoting children’s health and wellbeing, as well as the prestigious Early Childhood Teacher of the Year.

Award winners in each category will receive $15,000 to further develop and share the lessons of their exceptional work in kindergartens, schools, local councils, maternal child and health services and other early years organisations across the state.

“Victoria is home to many passionate early years professionals, and exceptional early years services,” Early Childhood Minister Ingrid Stitt said.

“This year’s Victorian Early Years Awards are the perfect opportunity to celebrate the people, organisations and services that help Victorian children to get the best start in life.”

By making a nomination, the commitment, resilience and flexibility demonstrated by the entire sector is placed into the spotlight, and recognised for the amazing contributions they make in the life changing field of early childhood each and every day. 

Nominations for the awards will close at midnight on Monday 13 June, with finalists announced in August ahead of the awards ceremony on 9 November.

For more information or to submit a nomination, please see here.