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Victorian Early Years Awards

Victorian Early Years Awards

Celebrating the outstanding work of our early childhood sector to improve the learning, health and wellbeing of Victorian children and their families. With the permission of family, this information includes the names of Aboriginal people who have passed.

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2023 Victorian Early Years Awards

Now in its 18th year, the Victorian Early Years Awards (VEYA) celebrate leadership, outstanding achievement, exceptional dedication and innovation in improving outcomes for children aged birth to eight years and their families.

Finalists for the 2023 VEYA have been announced.


This year, there are 2 new award categories. One recognises the importance of Aboriginal inclusion and perspectives in ensuring all services are accessible to Koorie children and families and commemorates the work and legacy of Aunty Rose Bamblett (dec) and the other recognises that educators make a vital contribution to early childhood services and children.

The 9 award categories focus on improving engagement in learning, supporting parents, building collaborative community partnerships, improving child health and wellbeing, exemplary practice in early childhood education, leadership and significant improvement on learning and teaching practices.

Winners are recognised as the best in Victoria for their category and go on to develop and share their inspiring work with their communities. Winners of each category will receive a grant of $15,000 for professional development or to support their nominated initiative. The finalists in each category are also eligible to win the prestigious Minister’s Award, selected by the Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep.

With the roll out of three year old kindergarten, there's never been a better time to recognise and celebrate the great work happening every day in the early childhood sector.

Key dates

  • Applications/nominations open: Tuesday 2 May 2023
  • Applications/nominations were extended to 5pm Monday 19 June 2023
  • Judging process starts: week commencing Monday 26 June 2023
  • Finalists contacted: week commencing Monday 28 August 2023
  • Awards presentation: Thursday 9 November 2023

Further information

If you have any queries in regard to the 2023 Victorian Early Years Awards please email early.years.awards@education.vic.gov.au.

For information on previous award winners, please visit our Honour Roll page.

Read the Victorian Early Years Awards Terms and Conditions.

Building parent's capacity as a child's first educator

Caring Mums, which provides emotional support to pregnant women and mothers of young children, was rewarded for its amazing work at the 2020 Victorian Early Years Awards.

Buddy Reader Program helps transition early learners into school

The Buddy Reader Program eases the transition of early learners into school by linking Grade 5 students with kindergarten children.

Reviewed 06 September 2023

Education

Contact us

Early Years Awards team Department of Education

early.years.awards@education.vic.gov.au
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