Celebrating Excellence: 2025 Early Childhood Learning & Development Sector Awards

Child Australia, in collaboration with organising partners, will again celebrate excellence and success with the WA 2025 Early Childhood Learning & Development Sector Awards, set to take place Friday, 7 March 2025. 

Running alongside the ECLD Conference, the prestigious Awards offer a platform for honouring and celebrating individuals and organisations in the West Australian early childhood sector who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to delivering quality outcomes for children and families. 

“It’s hard to overstate the importance of recognising educators and services who go above and beyond to achieve exceptional outcomes for children and their families,” Child Australia CEO Tina Holtom said.

In 2024 Brooke Maynard (One Tree Millars Well Children’s Service) was named as the winner of the ‘Services excellence in Partnerships with Families, Partners & Schools Award’, recognised for the deliberate efforts made to intentionally plan cultural celebrations or significant events, to connect with the local community, and to work closely with another service – Pier Piper Preschool – to enhance the connection with communities outside of their own. 

“When our service was announced as the winners, I was overwhelmed with a mix of excitement, gratitude, and a deep sense of accomplishment,” Ms Maynard said. 

“It was validating to see our hard work and dedication recognised, but also humbling to know that others believed in the impact of what we’re doing. It was a moment of reflection on our journey over the past 2 years and the people who’ve supported us along the way.”

The service has been ‘very intentional’ about the use of the prize money, directing it toward the professional development of the team. 

“We recognised that in order to continue growing and making a meaningful impact, we needed to focus on upskilling and building on our knowledge to support children within our care,” Ms Maynard said. 

As the 2025 awards approach, she encouraged other services and individuals to nominate saying “these awards shine a spotlight on the incredibly important work that we do each and every day. Nominating is a way to support and recognise the efforts of those who are committed and passionate about the positive change we make in children’s lives, and to ensure that these important milestones continue to inspire others within the sector.”

An independent judging panel comprised of key stakeholders from across the broader early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector and members from allied fields such as Tertiary Education, Independent Training, and Local Government has been appointed to evaluate the nominations, select finalists, and ultimately determine the worthy winners. 

Those organisations and individuals recognised as finalists will receive not only recognition but also free tickets to the Awards night, the ECLD Conference, and a $500 prize (per award) with the winners receiving $1500. 

The 2025 Early Childhood Learning and Development Sector Awards are made possible thanks to the generous support of major sponsor the Department of Communities and  the following partners of Child Australia: 

• Goodstart Early Learning, 
• Wanslea, 
• REED WA, 
• The Y WA, 
• MercyCare, 
• Meerilinga and; 
• One Tree Community Services

For more information about the awards and to register for the event, visit ECLD Sector Awards or contact [email protected]