EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AWARDS
FINALIST FEATURE
PROUD MEDIA PARTNER FOR THE EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AWARDS
TONATURE
LEARNING BY CONNECTING TO NATURE
PREMIER EARLY CARE SERVICE
CEO’S MESSAGE TO EDUCATORS
OSCARS OF THE CHILDCARE INDUSTRY
THE Excellence in Early Childhood Education Awards (ECEAs) is upon us again, and the NSW childcare industry wait to celebrate. See inside.
Neutral Bay Kindergarten (NBK) is a nurturing dedicatedtosupportingchildrenaged2to5years. With acapacityfor57childreneachday,we prioritise individualisedattentionbyensuringanadditional educatorin everyroom.Ourcommitmenttofosteringa supportive environmentextendstoourfamiliesandstaff, creatinga vibrant community where every child can thrive.
9953-1237
www.neutralbaykindergarten.com.au
EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AWARDS
Oscars of the Childcare industry
THE Excellence in Early Childhood Education Awards (ECEAs) is upon us again, and the NSW childcare industry wait to celebrate.
The annual ECCAs are the Oscars of the NSW childcare industry, attracting thousands of entries from throughout NSW.
This year we’ll be honouring services, leaders, teams, educators and teachers and the importance of early childhood education
The awards program has become the pinnacle for recognising individuals who have made extraordinary
contributions to early childhood education.
There is a wide range of categories that services may enter. Winners are selected by an independent panel of expert judges who are representatives from across the early childhood education and care sector.
The judges will have the knowledge and experience to assess each entry according to its merits.
The award winners will be announced at a gala event themed An Evening In Paris on November 2, 2024.
Start planning now for this big
evening and it could be your service (s), educators and teachers on stage accepting an award.
There is no better feeling, more exciting and more rewarding for childcare operators and their team being announced as an award winner.
This is the opportunity to be publicly recognised and express your appreciation to your team for a job well done.
Centres are encouraged engage the gala event and inspire creativity and your sense of fun, in making these awards a special one for your children,
their families and the community at large.
Official media partner for the awards is Parentopia and this year again will publish an annual boutique publication that showcases finalists to the wider world of parents, supporters and public.
This feature is a rewarding opportunity for finalists to gain widespread publicity, express your appreciation to your team and broadcast your success.
Events details: www.eeceawards.com.au | Media partner – www.parentopia.au
TIME TO RECOGNISE ENORMOUS Contributions of our educators
ALBEIT in financial terms, Professor Heckman, one of the world’s godparents of early childhood education and care, said: “The existing research suggests expanding early learning initiatives would provide benefits to society of roughly $8.60 for every $1 spent”.
Hence, it is that time of year again to recognise the enormous contributions and children’s outcomes achieved by the over 3,700 long daycare early childhood education and care (aka childcare) services across New South Wales.
The annual Excellence in Early Childhood Education (EECE) Awards is without doubt the largest recognition platform for early childhood educators,
teachers and services not just in NSW, but also across our nation. And this year, with a 344% increase in nominations, the EECE Awards will set a record in its significance and importance.
The Australian Childcare Alliance
(ACA) NSW congratulates the finalists (see www.eeceawards.com.au/finalists) and is extremely proud again to be hosting the EECE Awards Gala Night on Saturday, November 2, 2024, with 700 early childhood educators, teachers, support staff and leaders anticipated to gather at the Hyatt Regency in Sydney.
At the EECE Gala Awards Night, the winners of the 35 award categories will be revealed.
These categories include Excellence Awards for services in metropolitan and regional/rural areas, as well as public recognition of the most excellent female and male educators, team, service support person across New South Wales.
More award categories include Excellence in Educational Program & Practice, Excellence in Partnership with Families, Excellence in Multicultur-
al Program, Excellence in Australian History and Culture, and Children’s Outcomes for Children (birth to three years as well as preschool).
We thank our media partner, Parentopia for their support and for producing this souvenir publication celebrating these awards.
Families are excited to be supporting their long daycare services that have become finalists for the EECE Awards.
So many are already celebrating with their educators, teachers and services and provide meaningful and much needed morale boost and vocational pride.
For any further information, please visit www. eeceawards.com.au.
Chiang Lim is CEO of the Australian Childcare Alliance NSW.
CHIANG LIM
Last year’s winners.
NextSense School and Preschool
• NextSense is Australia’s second oldest not-for-profit organisation and has been in business since 1860.
• NextSense Preschool has an exceptionally low teacher-to-student ratio of 1:5 across three classrooms.
• We offer three distinct programs (Sign Bilingual, Spoken Language, Blind and Low Vision) across three classrooms that are specially designed for children with and without sensory disabilities.
• We recognise and promote excellence in sensory education within a holistic environment that supports the family as well as the child.
• With a focus on social and emotional development, children become independent at Preschool and confident to take on primary school.
02 9872 0204
131 Culloden Road, Macquarie Park NSW 2113 nextsense.org.au/hearing/preschools-and-kindergarten/ nextsense-preschool
• Education and School Readiness Program
• Inclusion Program
• Fitness Program
• Yoga Program
• Cooking Program
• Gardening Program
• Sustainability Program
• Indigenous Program
• Lunch & Languages
Commitment to special service
NEXTSENSE Preschool is deeply committed to providing a lowcost, high-quality, inclusive learning environment to children who are deaf, hard of hearing or are blind or have low vision.
Their inclusive and blended approach helps children aged three to five years develop crucial social and emotional skills that set them up for life, and values diverse cultures, languages and abilities to help nurture a lifelong love of learning.
The preschool is part of the newly opened NextSense centre for innovation on the Macquarie University campus.
The centre is custom designed for people with hearing and vision loss and provides a holistic, wraparound service
for families through the many services offered for all ages from newborn babies through to adulthood.
Alongside the early education services offered through the preschool, there is a school for children with hearing and vision loss, a Kindergarten in Victoria, early intervention services and research and professional education for those who work in the field of sensory disability.
“We believe that everyone should have the power to reach their potential. That’s why we’ve been supporting people with hearing or vision loss for more than 160 years,” a spokesperson said.
Visit: www.nextsense.org.au
Education is the best part of Children’s day
SCRIBBLES and Giggles Childcare Centres promise to make education best part of children’s day!
They create a nurturing and inclusive environment and promote children’s physical and mental well-being through yoga, fitness, gardening programs and by encouraging a love for nature and sustainability.
Scribbles and Giggles Childcare Centres celebrate diversity with their Lunch & Languages program and integrate Indigenous perspectives, fostering cultural understanding and respect.
Their cooking program promotes healthy habits, while community partnerships enhance their holistic approach.
School readiness is a key focus in all programs,
preparing children with the required skills for a smooth transition to formal education. Their programs are delivered with tailored support for children with disabilities to ensure equal access as they
believe in empowering every child to reach their full potential, knowing that with the right support, they can achieve anything!
Visit: www.
scribblesandgiggles.com.au
Offering a nature-based program
Federal Community Children’s Centre (FCCC) is committed to providing the highest quality care and education for children aged two to five years of age.
As a response to the needs of the community they offer LDC for 2-5 year olds and have a preschool option.
The centre has been assessed and rated by the NSW Department of Education and Communities as Exceeding National Standards.
Their nature-based program encourages a love of and respect for nature. Children are encouraged to explore the bush tucker garden/outdoor environment building deep knowledge, skills, respect and a sense of wonder in the natural world.
FCCC educators share their knowl-
Learning by connecting to nature
GILGANDRA Preschool is dedicated to fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment where children can thrive through holistic, child-centred education.
The preschool values diversity, community, and respect, with a strong emphasis on cultural understanding, particularly celebrating Aboriginal heritage and incorporating Wiradjuri language and traditions.
Its purpose is to provide high-quality early childhood education that supports each child’s emotional, cognitive, and social development.
Through innovative programs such as Bush Preschool and multidisciplinary support, Gilgandra Preschool promotes learning through play, connection to nature, and collaboration with families and professionals.
The preschool is committed to early intervention, offering tailored support for individual needs, and works closely with families to guide them through educational and developmental pathways. Above all, it strives to create a safe, welcoming, and enriching environment for all children.
edge and passion for the natural world and delight in learning alongside the children.
“We model and encourage scientific processes such as careful observation, prediction, investigation, hypothesizing and testing, as well as encouraging dispositions such as patience, persistence, respect and an inclination to look closely at the world,” said Mandala
Children develop both factual and heuristic knowledge and skills, enhancing their confidence and self-esteem.
“In a world where sustainability is vital to the survival of the planet, we have an invaluable opportunity to contribute to building a healthy society and planet.”said Mandala
Visit: www.federalccc.com.au
Connected to the community
AT Huntlee ELC the team takes pride in being a business that is connected to the staff, children, families and the local community.
“We have a philosophy of always putting the children first and ensuring that we are involving our families as much as possible at the service to assist their child’s care and provide a service that reflects their family’s needs and wants,” a spokesperson said.
“Our business supports everyone that is involved and continually adapts to be a place to support the ever-growing community around us and for families that are moving to the area
to have a welcoming atmosphere the moment they walk through the door to start their child in care.
Huntlee caters for 164 children a day aged between six weeks to six
Holistic approach to learning
NEUTRAL Bay Kindergarten (NBK) is a nurturing childcare centre dedicated to supporting children aged two to five years.
With a capacity for 57 children each day, the centre prioritises individualised attention by ensuring an additional educator in every room.
Their commitment to fostering a supportive
environment extends to our families and staff, creating a vibrant community where every child can thrive.
“At Neutral Bay Kindergarten we understand that early childhood is a unique and valuable stage of life. We follow a very holistic approach to learning that incorporates a balance of both children’s interests and educator guided activities,” a spokesperson said.
years. The centre is 52 weeks a year and offers wonderful care and educational experiences.
Visit: www.huntleeelc.com.au
“Our educational program is delivered in a secure and nurturing environment that fosters learning in all areas including the children’s physical, social, personal, and emotional wellbeing. We believe children learn through exploration, participation, observation and investigation, and we highly value play as an important medium of learning.”
Visit: www. neutralbaykindergarten.com.au
Premier early care service
JUNIORS Journey Early Education is a privately owned family run business that understands the growing demand for better childcare from families.
With a commitment to excellence, innovation, and community engagement, Juniors Journey operates with a vision to grow and expand its footprint in the childcare sector to develop Australia’s premier early years education and care service.
At Juniors Journey Early Learning, their philosophy revolves around the core principles of nurturing, welcoming, and empowering every child.
They believe that by cultivating a warm, supportive, and engaging environment, we set the stage for each child to flourish and encourage children to explore, engage their imaginations, express their creativity, and celebrate their individuality on their unique journey of learning and discovery.
“Our mission is to foster, support, and encourage the unique strengths of each child providing opportunities for children to engage in real life, play based learning experiences, that support their learning, growth and development and instil a love for learning that lasts a lifetime,” a spokesperson said.
Visit: www.juniorsjourney.com.au
Our mission is to foster, support, and encourage the unique strengths of each child providing opportunities for children to engage in real life, play based learning experiences, that support their learning, growth and development and instil a love for learning that lasts a lifetime.
CONTACT DETAILS BELOW
Juniors Journey Early Education, Eglinton 23 Park st Eglinton NSW 2795 1300 908 874
contact@juniorsjourney.com.au
Your partner in Early Learning
As part of our ongoing support as a key supplier in the Early Learning sector, we provide centres with tools and assets which assist in Quality Area 2 - Toileting & Nappy Changing Principles and Practices.
During visits, authorised officers may look for and discuss a range of topics which demonstrate that educators are supporting children’s wellbeing while maintaining hygienic practices. Our free Nappy Change and Toilet Training charts help to show how these policies and procedures are being followed and reinforced in your centres and promote safe and hygienic practices to ensure better care outcomes.
At your request, we also provide a suite of branded assets to support your centre marketing activity.
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Gala event in photos
Clever Cubs Early Learning Centre takes pride in our continuous commitment to stand by our philosophy
We believe we are an outstanding Early Learning Centre andties and interests as well as supporting their Early Childhood Educationboth one on one and in group experiences into our progream Clever Cubs has community connections . We plan experiencesiarity to children’s knowledge as they embark on their journey
CONTACT DETAILS P: (02) 8105 0028 W: www.clevercubs.com.au
