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Affinity closes out 2024 by announcing Affinity Award winners

Freya Lucas

Jan 06, 2025

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Affinity Education Group closed out 2024 by naming the winners of its Affinity Awards platform, sharing details of more than 100 individual employees and centre teams in the State Finals and National Winners announcements on 20 December 2024.

Bree White from Milestones Early Learning Emerald Beach in New South Wales was named Best Centre Manager, recognised for consistently delivering ‘gold-standard quality’, compliance, outstanding early education outcomes for children and exciting career development opportunities for her team.

While there were a number of candidates for the Best Centre Manager title, Affinity CEO Tim Hickey said Bree’s performance results made her “a clear standout.”

“Under Bree’s leadership over the past few years, Milestones Early Learning Emerald Beach achieved incredible occupancy running at 100 per cent, while retaining a stable team, achieving a Gold rating from our internal Quality assessment process, and maintained their local reputation for being the number one centre in the area,” Mr Hickey said.

“Bree is a capable and much-loved leader trusted by her team and families, and we’re very proud to announce her as Best Centre Manager 2024.”

Milestones Early Learning Coomera (Amity Road) secured the win for both the Affinity Value of Having Serious Fun as well as being named the national winner for Excellence in Early Education, celebrating a year of support and connection for the team.

“After being acquired by Affinity Education Group in June 2023, we were ready to make 2024 our best year ever,” Centre Manager Sarah Robinson said.

“We’ve never had more support or fun and we knew we could reach 100 per cent occupancy while ensuring the team were happy and connected,” she added.

“Being part of Affinity Education Group means we have a department for every area of support we require, and this means our team has been able to simply focus on improving our quality and the early education programs we deliver to our children. It’s so great to be part of such an awesome bunch of people and we’re really grateful for the recognition that Affinity has given us.”

Natasha Plant from Aussie Kindies Early Learning Keilor was awarded the coveted Early Childhood Teacher of the Year title.

Inspired by her own early childhood teacher, Natasha said she had ‘a passion for making a positive impact on children’s development during the most important years of their lives.’

“I’m so grateful to be working in a role which allows me to foster lifelong learning, create a nurturing environment and build meaningful relationships with both children and their families,” she explained.

One of the first early childhood teachers to become certified in Affinity’s Lifelong Learning Curriculum, Natasha was recognised by Affinity’s Education Team for her work implementing inquiry-based learning into her programs and skillful approach to intentional teaching which extended on children’s interests.

“I love seeing children contribute to the program, it makes it more engaging and far more beneficial for their learning and development,” she added.

The full list of national winners for the 2024 Affinity Awards is as follows:

Affinity Values Awards - Centres

Going Above and Beyond: Milestones Early Learning Wagaman, NT
Living The Team Spirit: Papilio Early Learning Ingleburn, NSW
Having Serious Fun: Milestones Early Learning Centre Coomera Amity Road, QLD
Being Completely Connected: Milestones Early Learning Moorebank, NSW
Delivering Outstanding Professionalism: Milestones Early Learning Canning Vale, WA
Creating Shining Stars: Milestones Early Learning Tarneit, VIC

Education & Service Awards - Individuals

Cook Of The Year: Eliza Jupp - Papilio Early Learning Barton, ACT
Trainee of the Year: Karen Marshall - Milestones Early Learning Rutherford, NSW
Nursery Educator of the Year: Samantha Jackson - Papilio Early Learning Meadowbank, NSW
Toddler Educator of the Year: Chaoxia Liu - Milestones Early Learning Macquarie, ACT
School Readiness Educator of the Year: Serena Lucas - Papilio Early Learning Reedy Creek, QLD
Lead Educator of the Year: Priyanka Pendharkar - Milestones Early Learning Canning Vale, WA
Educational Leader of the Year: Rubena Cuda - Milestones Early Learning Smithfield, QLD
Senior Educational Leader of the Year: Ellen Wilson - Kids Academy Woongarrah, NSW
Early Childhood Teacher of the Year: Natasha Plant - Aussie Kindies Keilor, VIC

Safety and Compliance Awards

Most Improved in Safety and Compliance: Milestones Early Learning Yokine, WA
Excellence in Safety and Compliance: Papilio Early Learning Currumbin Waters, QLD
Safety Leader of the Year: Milestones Early Learning Marsden - Skye Coyle, QLD & Kids Academy Jamisontown - Renee Butler, NSW

Most Improved & Excellence Awards

Most Improved in Quality: Milestones Early Learning Kellyville North, NSW
Excellence in Quality: Milestones Early Learning Tarneit, VIC
Most Improved in Early Education: Papilio Early Learning Auburn, NSW
Excellence in Early Education: Milestones Early Learning Centre Coomera Amity Road, QLD
Most Improved in Occupancy: Milestones Early Learning Marsden, QLD
Excellence in Occupancy: Aussie Kindies Niagara Park, NSW
Most Improved in Labour Management: Milestones Early Learning Roma, QLD
Excellence in Labour Management: Aussie Kindies Keilor, VIC
Most Improved in People Development: Milestones Early Learning The Lakes, QLD
Excellence in People Development: Milestones Early Learning Dalyellup, WA
Most Improved in Customer Service: Aussie Kindies Creswick, VIC
Excellence in Customer Service: Papilio Early Learning Coombabah, QLD
Most Improved in Business Performance: Milestones Quinns Rocks, WA
Excellence in Business Performance: Milestones Early Learning Capalaba, QLD

Performance Awards - Individuals

Best Assistant Centre Manager: Kids Academy Kensington - Agata Kaczmarek-Vlassakakis, VIC
Best Assistant Centre Manager - Runner Up: Papilio Early Learning Rosebery - Paula Manginsay, NSW
Most Improved Centre Manager: Milestones Early Learning Deeragun - Gabrielle Murray, QLD
Best Centre Manager - Runner Up: Milestones Early Learning Kelso - Carollyn Youngman, QLD
Best Centre Manager: Milestones Early Learning Emerald Village - Bree White, NSW
Most Improved Area Manager: Katrina Hands, QLD
Best Area Manager: Rachel Stapleton, NSW

Executive Recognition - Individuals

State Manager's Choice: QLD - Renee Garrad; NSW - Sarah McCluand - ACT - Janice Lobb; VIC - Hannah Pappas; WA - Rachael Elliott; NT - Priscilla Borges
All Round Shining Star Award: Sarah Jovani, Centre Manager, Milestones Early Learning Lisarow, NSW
CEO's Choice: Sarah Mission and Samantha Waldock, QLD
Buzz Award: Samara Phillips, Senior Centre Manager, ACT

Learn more about the Awards here.

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