KU’s Megan Dodds named finalist in 2025 HESTA Early Childhood Education & Care Awards

KU Children’s Services is proud to announce that Megan Dodds, Director of KU Corrimal East Preschool, has been named a finalist in the prestigious 2025 HESTA Early Childhood Education & Care Awards.

With more than 30 years of experience, Megan has been recognised in the Individual Leadership category for her visionary approach to early childhood education. She has dedicated her career to creating inclusive, emotionally secure learning environments where children, families, and educators can thrive.

Megan integrates attachment theory and frameworks such as Circle of Security® into her leadership practice, ensuring that children feel safe, valued, and supported during their formative years. She is also deeply committed to empowering her team of educators, encouraging reflective practice, and driving innovative approaches that make a lasting impact on children and the broader community.

KU Children’s Services CEO, Christine Legg said:

“Megan’s leadership reflects KU’s values of quality, inclusion and innovation. She not only nurtures the children in her care but also inspires and supports teachers and educators to be the very best they can be. We are incredibly proud to see Megan recognised at a national level for her outstanding contribution to the early childhood education sector.”

The HESTA Early Childhood Education & Care Awards celebrate the achievements of individuals and organisations across Australia who are shaping the future through excellence in pedagogy, practice, leadership, and service.

HESTA CEO Debby Blakey congratulated the finalists, saying:

“Congratulations to our finalists for their remarkable achievements in shaping the growth, learning and care of future generations during their formative years.”

Winners across three award categories, Advancing Pedagogy and Practice, Outstanding Service, and Individual Leadership, will be announced at a ceremony on Friday 3 October 2025, sharing in $30,000 prize money provided by long-term sponsor ME (a subsidiary of Bank of Queensland).

For Megan, being named a finalist is recognition not just of her individual efforts, but also of the dedication of her team at KU Corrimal East Preschool.

About KU Children’s Services

KU is proudly a not for profit and for purpose organisation committed to supporting exceptional outcomes for children and families as well as creating optimal experiences for staff. Part of the KU Difference is the high level of support provided to our teachers and educators, and other service-based staff through the expertise of KU’s Central Office teams. 

As we deliver leading high quality inclusive play-based learning programs, KU continues to provide opportunities for children to become the creators, thinkers, and doers of today and tomorrow. At KU, children have a voice.

Established in 1895, KU Children’s Services remains proudly not for profit and enriches the lives of more than 12,000 children and their families each year through services including long day care, kindergartens, preschools, NDIS services, inclusion services, family programs and more.