Nominations are now open for the NT Education and Care Awards which celebrate the Territory's best early childhood educators.
The awards recognise the vital contribution early childhood educators and service providers make to the lives of Northern Territory children and their families.
Territorians are encouraged to nominate an educator or service they feel demonstrates outstanding commitment to early childhood education. Nominations are now open for the following 5 award categories:
· Outstanding Education and Care Program
· Outstanding Educator
· Outstanding Aboriginal Educator
· Outstanding Early Childhood Teacher
· Outstanding Leader
"Families depend on a highly skilled, well supported and professionally recognised workforce," said Audrey Billias, Director Early Years and Primary Policy and Projects.
"These awards help us to recognise the amazing contribution that our early childhood educators, programs and services make to achieving high quality outcomes for Territory families."
Malak Preschool was awarded the Outstanding Education and Care Program Award in 2022 for their work in improving the quality of early communication, learning and care for 3 to 4-year-olds and strengthening relations between children, educators and families.
Malak Primary School Deputy Principal, Mina McCarthy said the award recognised the passion and dedication of the preschool team to ensure all children have opportunities to develop the skills for life-long learning.
"Receiving the award highlighted the impact of highly reflective practice that focused strongly on the needs and strengths of the school community."
"The preschool team continue to look for opportunities to share their practice with others and to learn from current early childhood research and practice."
"As a whole-school community we are focused on continuing the wonder, curiosity and joy of learning from preschool into the primary school spaces."
The awards are a joint initiative of the NT Government and the Early Childhood Education and Care Key Stakeholder Advisory Group (KSAG). KSAG member organisations, Child Australia and Early Childhood Australia, will assist with the judging and coordination process for the 2023 awards.
Nominations close on 2 June 2023. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 22 September 2023 at the Hilton Double Tree Esplanade.
