C&K announces winners of 2024 Awards program

Queensland based early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider C&K has announced the winners of its 2024 Awards program, celebrating the exceptional practices and inspiring leadership on display throughout its network.

 

Six awards were presented at a Gala Awards ceremony in Brisbane last weekend, chosen from a cohort of 330 kindergartens and long day care centres across Queensland, recognising individuals and teams who have made significant contributions to children, families, local communities, and the broader ECEC sector. 

 

For C&K CEO Dr Sandra Cheeseman the calibre of nominations and dedication across the network is “truly something to celebrate.” 

 

“Many teachers, educators and C&K centres have gone above and beyond to develop authentic, collaborative relationships, culturally safe environments, and inspiring learning programs,” she said.

 

The prestigious MTA Professor Mary Mahoney AO Award for Excellence was awarded to  Kuranda Community Kindergarten (below) in tropical north Queensland, who were recognised for developing a unique Language and Cultural program that has helped create a learning environment where every child’s voice is heard, and their culture and identity are seen and valued.

Kuranda Community Kindy saw a distinct need to support children’s speech and language as well as their social and emotional skills, after experiencing increasing numbers of children with developmental delays and separation anxiety, developing the program in response. 

 

The kindergarten, C&K’s Chief Operating Officer Dr Suzy Tamone said, “displayed exceptional practices” in inclusion by embracing the local culture of the traditional Djabugay owners, and removing barriers to access quality early childhood education. 

 

This led to increased kindergarten enrolments of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, who now make up over 70 per cent of the centre’s enrolments.

 

“We are proud of the teachers and educators at Kuranda Kindy and their advocacy for children to create a culturally safe and engaging learning environment where everyone belongs,” Ms Tamone said.

 

In accepting the award  Kuranda Kindergarten Centre Director Amanda Hawkes said connecting with culture allows children to develop their social and language skills.

 

“Our children speak the Djabugay language they have learnt in their daily Acknowledgement of Country and have access to books featuring traditional stories from the local area that we published ourselves,” she explained.

 

“We’re using puppetry and incorporating technology like touch-sensitive sound boards into our learning program to nurture children’s language and social skills, and we support parents by providing receptive and expressive language strategies that they can use at home to continue the fun and learning.”

 

The coveted Department of Education ‘For Impact’ Award was won by C&K’s Metro and North Coast regional team (below) for their transformative journey exploring the concepts and practices of Global Citizenship, supporting children to understand the world, their rights, and their role within it.

In a joint research project with Central Queensland University, the Metro North Coast team explored the question, “How can we foster educators’ agency to advocate for children to  thrive as global citizens in an ever-changing world?” The research outcomes have not only inspired their work with children but also changed the way they mentor C&K teachers and directors across their region.

 

The Metro and North Coast team are looking forward to sharing their insights when presenting their findings at the Early Childhood Australia Conference in September.

 

The 2024 C&K Awards culminated C&K’s 2024 Conference and professional development events which embraced the theme ‘Everyday Matters—For children, For you, For impact’.

 

A full list of 2024 C&K Awards winners appears below:

 

• Overall winner – Emeritus Professor Mary Mahoney AO Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education and Care: C&K Kuranda Community Kindergarten

 

• Queensland Department of Education ‘For Impact’ Award – Metro and North Coast Regional Team

 

• QCC Hospitality Supplies ‘For Every Child’ Award – C&K Carseldine Community Childcare Centre

 

• HESTA ‘For You’ Award – C&K Biloela Community Childcare Centre

 

• Reconciliation in Action Award – C&K Walkervale Community Kindergarten

 

• C&K CEO Award – Service Support team, C&K Central Office.

 

More information about C&K is available here. Lead image shows (L-R):  Federal Minister for Early Childhood Dr Anne Aly, C&K CEO Sandra Cheeseman, Queensland Minister for Education Di Farmer, and the Chair of the C&K Board, Therese Mulherin.