Territory educators set for recognition at 2026 Education and Care Awards

Finalists across five categories will be celebrated in Darwin on Friday, with child-safe practice a focus of this year’s program award.

Educators, teachers, leaders and programs from across the Northern Territory will be recognised on Friday 16 October at the 2026 Child Australia Northern Territory Education and Care Awards.

More than 80 nominations were received for the awards, now in their thirteenth year. Winners will be announced at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Esplanade in Darwin.

“These awards shine a light on the educators and services who go above and beyond to create safe, engaging and high-quality learning environments,” said Department of Education and Training Acting Chief Executive Aderyn Chatterton.

Recognition across five categories

The awards are delivered in partnership by the Northern Territory Government, Child Australia and Early Childhood Australia, recognising contributions across early childhood education and outside school hours care.

Individual categories are open to educators working in regulated and unregulated services and programs, including remote and very remote settings.

The 2026 finalists are:

Outstanding Aboriginal Educator

• Amanda Djawarbuma — Maningrida Preschool
• Bettina Kenny — Elliott School
• Lucy Pedwell — Yarralin Preschool

Outstanding Early Childhood Teacher

• Mary Boeck — Bakewell Preschool
• Lauren Brown — Rona Glynn Preschool
• Simone Norris — Macfarlane Primary School

Outstanding Educator

• Jacinta Stewart — Ludmilla Preschool
• Veronica Ecenarro — Gray Primary School
• Starzia Fowler — Kentish Early Learning Centre Moulden

Outstanding Leader

• Melissa Keelan — Driver Preschool
• Emily Mitchell — Maningrida College
• Beth O’Brien — Roper Gulf Regional Council

Outstanding Education and Care Program

• Rona Glynn Preschool
• Driver Preschool
• Wadeye Families as First Teachers Program

Child-safe culture in focus

This year’s Outstanding Education and Care Program award centres on nurturing a child-safe culture in early childhood education and care.

The category criteria recognise services that embed child safety across everyday practice, including through culturally responsive approaches and meaningful engagement with children, families and communities.

The focus extends beyond meeting minimum standards to how services create environments where children feel safe, respected and able to participate.

Finalists will receive a framed certificate and registration for the Little People, Big Dreams Conference. Winners will also receive a trophy and a $1,500 contribution towards professional development.

Professional learning follows the celebrations

The Little People, Big Dreams Children’s Learning and Development Conference will follow on Saturday 17 October at the same Darwin venue.

Under the theme Growing Ideas That Matter: Empowering Voices, Shaping Practice, the conference will bring together educators, researchers, policymakers and communities to explore children’s learning and development.

The conference program covers Aboriginal pedagogy, play-based learning, neurodiversity and inclusion, purposeful leadership and child safety.

Together, the events link recognition of Territory professionals with opportunities to share knowledge and examine the practices supporting children and families.