Victorian Early Years Awards nomination guide

This award recognises one or more early childhood services and/or organisations that are taking action to promote access, ongoing participation and engagement in early learning, particularly for families experiencing vulnerability and/or disadvantage.

For example, initiatives may have a focus on:

• supporting families to engage with early learning services, including supporting families to engage in learning from home
• improving access to high-quality early learning services for children
• promoting engagement with early learning for children, particularly for those experiencing vulnerability and/or disadvantage
• supporting early intervention approaches that support better learning outcomes for children
• evidence-based practice changes that ensure services are responsive to a diverse range of families (for example, Aboriginal families, culturally and linguistically diverse families, children with developmental delay or disability).

The winner of this Award receives a grant of $15,000 towards their project or initiative.

The winner of the 2023 Improving Access and Participation in Early Learning Award was Northern Schools Early Years Cluster Inc. Learn more about their work here: Victorian Early Years Awards Winners.

Eligibility

This award is open to one or more early childhood organisations and services delivering projects, programs and initiatives that are improving outcomes for young children and their families.

Eligible organisations may include (but are not limited to):

• early childhood education and care services and Early Years Management organisations
• primary schools
• local government services (e.g. family services, maternal and child health services)
• playgroups
• Best Start partnerships
• parenting services
• Aboriginal health organisations or cooperatives
• community service organisations and community health organisations.

Please note individuals are not eligible for this award category.

Selection Criteria

Criterion 1: Outcomes for children and families

How does the initiative improve outcomes for children and families?

Consider:

• Has the initiative been evaluated?
• How has the initiative improved outcomes for all children and families?
• How has the initiative improved outcomes for families experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage?
• How does the initiative build the capacity of children, families, communities and/or organisations to support positive outcomes for children?

Criterion 2: Evidence-based practice 

How does the initiative promote evidence-based practice?

Consider:

• What is the evidence base (theories and/or research) for the initiative?
• How is the initiative monitored to ensure ongoing quality improvement?

Criterion 3: Innovative practice

How does the initiative promote innovative practice?

Consider:

• How is the initiative different to expected everyday practice?
• How is the initiative demonstrating innovation in your local area?

Criterion 4: Sustainability

How is the initiative sustainable and transferable?

Consider:

• How is the initiative embedded into everyday practice?

How the judges will evaluate the applications

• The judges will look for clear and relevant examples of how the initiative demonstrates the key criteria of this award category.
• The judges will consider and review any independent evidence or research you provide in your application that shows why and how the initiative is a success.
• As the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) underpins all Victorian early childhood learning, you should reference how the initiative supports and implements the VEYLDF and its practice principles.
• The initiative should be more than just business as usual and be something innovative or ‘out of the box’.

Here are some of the judges’ comments from previous years’ Awards. These may help you in preparing your application.

• The project has strong evidence of theoretical frameworks and in-built improvement.
• Designed evaluation indicates a positive outcome for children within the project.
• The program overall is scale-able to other locations in Victoria.
• The project strongly draws on the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and culturally relevant pedagogy, marrying the two approaches to ensure cultural inclusion.

Application components

There are three parts to the application:

• Part One - Overview: With a 400-word limit, the overview is not scored but should identify when the program commenced, how it links with the evidence base, key stages and achievements, community engagement strategies, how the initiative is innovative and different to everyday business, program outcomes and evaluation. The overview may be used as your profile if your nomination is progressed as a finalist.
• Part Two: Responses to the Selection Criteria: 400-word limit for each response.
• Part Three: Referees and Endorsement

Referees

You are required to provide two referees. If you are successful in progressing as a shortlisted finalist, we may contact one or both referees.

One of your referees must be your service coordinator/director, service provider/early years manager, a member of the committee of management or Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent).

Second referees may be:

• senior colleagues, mentors or a member of the community who can provide detail on your nomination
• Department of Education employees, including regional staff, primary school teachers and principals.

Endorsement

Your application requires electronic endorsement by your early childhood service/service provider director or Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent). Once you submit your application, a copy will be emailed for their endorsement.

This award recognises one or more early childhood service and/or organisations that are taking action to support families, parents and carers to feel confident and capable in their parenting role and recognises their role as the first and most important teachers in supporting their child’s learning and development.

For example, initiatives may have a focus on:

• strengthening the role of families, parents and carers in delivery of the educational program, especially for those experiencing vulnerability and/or disadvantage
• strengthening the quality of relationships between parents and their children
• supporting the home learning environment through implementing evidence-based parenting programs.

The winner of this Award receives a grant of $15,000 towards their project or initiative.

The winner of the 2023 Supporting Parents to Build Their Capacity and Confidence Award was Tweddle Child & Family Health Service. Learn more about The Home Parenting Education and Support Program here: Victorian Early Years Awards Winners.

Eligibility

This award is open to one or more early childhood organisations and services delivering projects, programs and initiatives that are improving outcomes for young children and their families. Eligible organisations may include (but are not limited to):

• early childhood education and care services and Early Years Management organisations
• primary schools
• local government services (e.g. family services, maternal and child health services)
• playgroups
• Best Start partnerships
• parenting services
• Aboriginal health organisations or cooperatives
• community service organisations and community health organisations.

Please note individuals are not eligible for this award category.

Selection Criteria

Criterion 1: Outcomes for children and families

How does the initiative improve outcomes for children and families?

Consider:

• Has the initiative been evaluated?
• How has the initiative improved outcomes for all children and families?
• How has the initiative improved outcomes for families experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage?
• How does the initiative build the capacity of children, families, communities and/or organisations to support positive outcomes for children?

Criterion 2: Evidence-based practice 

How does the initiative promote evidence-based practice?

Consider:

• What is the evidence base (theories and/or research) for the initiative?
• How is the initiative monitored to ensure ongoing quality improvement?

Criterion 3: Innovative practice

How does the initiative promote innovative practice?

Consider:

• How is the initiative different to expected everyday practice?
• How is the initiative demonstrating innovation in your local area?

Criterion 4: Sustainability

How is the initiative sustainable and transferable?

Consider:

• How is the initiative embedded into everyday practice?

How the judges will evaluate the applications

• The judges will look for clear and relevant examples of how the initiative demonstrates the key criteria of this award category. 
• The judges will consider and review any independent evidence or research you provide in your application that shows why and how the initiative is a success.
• As the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) underpins all Victorian early childhood learning, you should reference how the initiative supports and implements the VEYLDF and its practice principles.
• The initiative should be more than just business as usual and be something innovative or ‘out of the box’.

Here are some of the judging comments from previous years’ Awards. These may help you in preparing your application.

• The applicant describes the theory base and cites evidence for the need of their initiative.
• The application provides a strong case for the program's sustainability.
• Applicant describes well the identified need/gap, consultations undertaken in the design, theory of change and external evaluation results.
• The applicant clearly articulates the difference between this service and what is available elsewhere.

Application components

There are three parts to the application:

• Part One - Overview: With a 400-word limit, the overview is not scored but should identify when the program commenced, how it links with the evidence base, key stages and achievements, community engagement strategies, how the initiative is innovative and different to everyday business, program outcomes and evaluation. The overview may be used as your profile if your nomination is progressed as a finalist. 
• Part Two - Responses to the Selection Criteria: 400-word limit for each response.
• Part Three - Referees and Endorsement

Referees

You are required to provide two referees. If you are successful in progressing as a shortlisted finalist, we may contact one or both referees.

One of your referees must be your service coordinator/director, early childhood service provider/early years manager, a member of the committee of management or Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent).

Second referees may be:

• senior colleagues, mentor or a member of the community who can provide detail on your nomination
• Department of Education employees, including regional staff, primary school teachers and principals.

Endorsement

Your application requires electronic endorsement by your early childhood service/service provider director or Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent). Once you submit your application, a copy will be emailed for their endorsement.

This award recognises a collaborative partnership between two or more early childhood services and/or organisations, which are taking actions to promote collaborative practice that supports and demonstrate positive outcomes for children and families.

For example, initiatives may have a focus on:

• improving the integration and connections between early years and family services (for example, Maternal and Child Health, Child FIRST/family services, Child Protection and parenting services)
• providing collaborative wrap-around supports for children and families, particularly those experiencing vulnerability and/or disadvantage
• using local planning processes and information sharing to foster collaboration
• using research to develop partnerships that demonstrate outcomes for children.

The winner of this Award receives a grant of $15,000 towards their project or initiative.

The winner of the 2023 Creating Collaborative Community Partnerships Award was Darebin City Council in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association, Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated, Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, NWVR NEMA Darebin/Yarra Koorie Engagement Support Officers, Yappera Children's Service, the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Whittlesea City Council Best Start. Learn more about their work here: Victorian Early Years Awards Winners.

Eligibility

This award must be submitted on behalf of a collaborative partnership between two or more early childhood services and/or organisations.

Eligible organisations may include (but are not limited to):

• early childhood education and care services and Early Years Management organisations
• primary schools
• local government services (e.g. family services, maternal and child health services)
• playgroups
• Best Start partnerships
• parenting services
• Aboriginal health organisations or cooperatives
• community service organisations and community health organisations.

Please note individuals are not eligible for this award category.

Selection Criteria

Criterion 1: Outcomes for children and families

How does the initiative improve outcomes for children and families?

Consider:

• Has the initiative been evaluated?
• How has the initiative improved outcomes for all children and families?
• How has the initiative improved outcomes for families experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage?
• How does the initiative build the capacity of children, families, communities and/or organisations to support positive outcomes for children?

Criterion 2: Evidence-based practice 

How does the initiative promote evidence-based practice?

Consider:

• What is the evidence base (theories and/or research) for the initiative?
• How is the initiative monitored to ensure ongoing quality improvement?

Criterion 3: Innovative practice

How does the initiative promote innovative practice?

Consider:

• How is the initiative different to expected everyday practice?
• How is the initiative demonstrating innovation in your local area?

Criterion 4: Sustainability

How is the initiative sustainable and transferable?

Consider:

• How is the initiative embedded into everyday practice?

How the judges will evaluate the applications

• The judges will look for clear and relevant examples of how the initiative demonstrates the key criteria of this award category.
• The judges will consider and review any independent evidence or research you provide in your application that shows why and how the initiative is a success.
• As the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) underpins all Victorian early childhood learning, you should reference how the initiative supports and implements the VEYLDF and its practice principles.
• The initiative should be more than just business as usual and be something innovative or ‘out of the box’.

Here are some of the judges’ comments from previous years’ Awards. These may help you in preparing your application.

• The relationships in the initiative between professionals are building skills and maintaining currency of evidence-based approaches.
• The program has been developed with a strong evidence base in improved health and well-being and was trialled in a pilot
• Data has been recorded that demonstrates improvement in the vulnerability domains of children commencing school. Service providers and community are working together in co-designing resources for families.
• Sound early childhood and community development theories underpin the initiative. Shared data and measurement drive continuous improvement.

Application components

There are three parts to the application:

• Part One - Overview: With a 400-word limit, the overview is not scored but should identify when the program commenced, how it links with the evidence base, key stages and achievements, community engagement strategies, how the initiative is innovative and different to everyday business, program outcomes and evaluation. The overview may be used as your profile if your nomination is progressed as a finalist.
• Part Two - Responses to the Selection Criteria: 400-word limit for each response.
• Part Three - Referees and Endorsement:

Referees

You are required to provide two referees. If you are successful in progressing as a shortlisted finalist, we may contact one or both referees.

One of your referees must be your service coordinator/director, early childhood service/ early years manager, a member of the committee of management or Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent).

Second referees may be:

• senior colleagues, mentor or a member of the community who can provide detail on your nomination
• Department of Education employees, including regional staff, primary school teachers and principals.

Endorsement

Your application requires electronic endorsement by your early childhood service/service provider director or Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent). Once you submit your application, a copy will be emailed for their endorsement

This award recognises one or more early childhood service and/or organisations that is taking action to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for young children.

For example, initiatives may have a focus on:

• increasing access and engagement in health and wellbeing opportunities, particularly for those experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage
• aligning with current public health policy and practice (for example, the Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2019-2023 and the Victorian Prevention and Health Promotion Achievement Program)
• creating physical environments that support the physical, social, and emotional health and wellbeing of young children and their families
• demonstrating innovative practice that is flexible and responsive to the health and wellbeing needs of children and families in their local communities
• using child consultation and children’s voices to inform the development of health initiatives
• building partnerships with families, health and wellbeing services, and other relevant community services.

The winner of this Award receives a grant of $15,000 towards their project or initiative.

The winner of the 2023 Promoting Children’s Health and Wellbeing Award was By Five in partnership with Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne. Learn more about the By Five Paediatric Project here: Victorian Early Years Awards Winners.

Eligibility

This award is open to early childhood organisations and services delivering projects, programs and initiatives that are improving outcomes for young children and their families. Eligible organisations may include (but are not limited to):

• early childhood education and care services and Early Years Management organisations
• primary schools
• local government services (e.g. family services, maternal and child health services)
• playgroups
• Best Start partnerships
• parenting services
• Aboriginal health organisations or cooperatives
• community service organisations and community health organisations.

Please note individuals are not eligible for this award category.

Selection Criteria

Criterion 1:  Outcomes for children and families

How does the initiative improve outcomes for children and families?

Consider:

Has the initiative been evaluated?

• How has the initiative improved outcomes for all children and families?
• How has the initiative improved outcomes for families experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage?
• How does the initiative build the capacity of children, families, communities and/or organisations to support positive outcomes for children?

Criterion 2: Evidence-based practice 

How does the initiative promote evidence-based practice?

Consider:

• What is the evidence base (theories and/or research) for the initiative?
• How is the initiative monitored to ensure ongoing quality improvement?

Criterion 3: Innovative practice

How does the initiative promote innovative practice?

Consider:

• How is the initiative different to expected everyday practice?
• How is the initiative demonstrating innovation in your local area?

Criterion 4: Sustainability

How is the initiative sustainable and transferable?

Consider:

• How is the initiative embedded into everyday practice?

How the judges will evaluate the applications

• The judges will look for clear and relevant examples of how the initiative demonstrates the key criteria of this award category. 
• The judges will consider and review any independent evidence or research you provide in your application that shows why and how the initiative is a success.
• As the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) underpins all Victorian early childhood learning, you should reference how the initiative supports and implements the VEYLDF and its practice principles.
• The initiative should be more than just business as usual and be something innovative or ‘out of the box’.

Here are some of the judging comments from previous years’ Awards. These may help you in preparing your application.

• Evaluations have been completed and improvements in outcomes found.
• Clearly shows evidence of use of frameworks and curriculum to inform program. Regular feedback sought and program modified from this.
• Initiative empowers community to lead.
• Evidence base is well articulated. Continuous Quality Improvement based on usage data.

Application components

There are three parts to the application:

• Part One - Overview: With a 400-word limit, the overview is not scored but should identify when the program commenced, how it links with the evidence base, key stages and achievements, community engagement strategies, how the initiative is innovative and different to everyday business, program outcomes and evaluation. The overview may be used as your profile if your nomination is progressed as a finalist. 
• Part Two - Responses to the Selection Criteria: 400-word limit for each response.
• Part Three - Referees and Endorsement:

Referees

You are required to provide two referees. If you are successful in progressing as a shortlisted finalist, we may contact one or both referees.

One of your referees must be your service coordinator/director, early childhood service provider/early years manager, a member of the committee of management or Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent).

Second referees may be:

• senior colleagues, mentor or a member of the community who can provide detail on your nomination
• Department of Education employees, including regional staff, primary school teachers and principals.

Endorsement

Your application requires electronic endorsement by your early childhood service/service provider director or Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent). Once you submit your application, a copy will be emailed for their endorsement.

This award recognises two or more early childhood services, schools and/or other organisations that support continuity of early learning through successful transitions.

For example, initiatives may have a focus on:

• using innovative approaches that are aligned with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework to support successful transitions between kindergarten and school for children
• transition to school practices that are flexible and responsive to individual children and families in their local communities, including those experiencing vulnerability and/or disadvantage
• strengthening the quality of reciprocal relationships between early childhood services and primary schools
• using child voice and agency and input from family to inform and guide successful transitions to school
• multi-disciplinary teams working together to achieve successful transitions for children (i.e. early childhood teachers, school teachers, early childhood intervention services, maternal and child health services and outside school hours care services).

The winner of this Award receives a grant of $15,000 towards their project or initiative.

The winner of the 2023 Continuity of Early Learning Award was Keysborough Primary School in partnership with Fair Education, Schools Plus, Keysborough Primary School Kindergarten, Yarraman Oaks Primary School, Yarraman Oaks Primary School Kindergarten, Dandenong Primary School, Dandenong Primary School Kindergarten, Dandenong South Primary School, Dandenong South Primary School Kindergarten and Dandenong South Preschool. Learn more about their work here: Victorian Early Years Awards Winners.

Eligibility

This award must be with two or more early childhood services, schools and/or other organisations that support continuity of early learning through successful transitions.

Eligible organisations may include (but are not limited to):

• early childhood education and care services and Early Years Management organisations
• primary schools
• local government services (e.g. family services, maternal and child health services)
• playgroups
• Best Start partnerships
• parenting services
• Aboriginal health organisations or cooperatives
• community service organisations and community health organisations.

Please note individuals are not eligible for this award category.

Selection Criteria

Criterion 1: Outcomes for children and families

How does the initiative improve outcomes for children and families?

Consider:

Has the initiative been evaluated?

• How has the initiative improved outcomes for all children and families?
• How has the initiative improved outcomes for families experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage?
• How does the initiative build the capacity of children, families, communities and/or organisations to support positive outcomes for children?

Criterion 2: Evidence-based practice 

How does the initiative promote evidence-based practice?

Consider:

• What is the evidence base (theories and/or research) for the initiative?
• How is the initiative monitored to ensure ongoing quality improvement

Criterion 3: Innovative practice

How does the initiative promote innovative practice?

Consider:

• How is the initiative different to expected everyday practice?
• How is the initiative demonstrating innovation in your local area?

Criterion 4: Sustainability

How is the initiative sustainable and transferable?

Consider:

• How is the initiative embedded into everyday practice?

How the judges will evaluate the applications

• The judges will look for clear and relevant examples of how the initiative demonstrates the key criteria of this award category. 
• The judges will consider and review any independent evidence or research you provide in your application that shows why and how the initiative is a success.
• As the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) underpins all Victorian early childhood learning, you should reference how the initiative supports and implements the VEYLDF and its practice principles.
• The initiative should be more than just business as usual and be something innovative or ‘out of the box’.

Here are some of the judging comments from previous year’s Awards. These may help you in preparing your application.

• The program itself certainly uses innovative approaches aligned with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and seems to respond to the needs of a diverse community, including those experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage.
• It is clear that the program has improved outcomes for those involved both through their early literacy development as well as assisting the school in understanding how they can better support children with complex needs.
• The program clearly has a strong theoretical evidence base and the mechanisms to monitor the program and assist with quality improvement are well rounded and seem to be used in adapting the program.
• The sustainability of this initiative is strong. While the ease of implementation is impacted by the direct feeder nature of the kindergarten and school relationship, it would not be unreasonable to see this initiative being transferrable to other services in the system.

Application components

There are three parts to the application:

• Part One - Overview: With a 400-word limit, the overview is not scored but should identify when the program commenced, how it links with the evidence base, key stages and achievements, community engagement strategies, how the initiative is innovative and different to everyday business, program outcomes and evaluation. The overview may be used as your profile if your nomination is progressed as a finalist.
• Part Two - Responses to the Selection Criteria: 400-word limit for each response.
• Part Three - Referees and Endorsement

Referees

You are required to provide two referees. If you are successful in progressing as a shortlisted finalist, we may contact one or both referees.

One of your referees must be your service coordinator/director, early childhood service provider/early years manager, a member of the committee of management or Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent).

Second referees may be:

• senior colleagues, mentor or a member of the community who can provide detail on your nomination
• Department of Education and Training employees, including regional staff, primary school teachers and principals.

Endorsement

Your application requires electronic endorsement by your early childhood service/service provider director or Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent). Once you submit your application, a copy will be emailed for their endorsement.

This award recognises an early childhood teacher who has demonstrated evidence-based innovation and exemplary practice in early childhood education and care. Their nomination will demonstrate how they have made a significant contribution to the development and delivery of high-quality early childhood education programs and/or achieved significant improvements in children’s learning and development outcomes.

The winner of this Award receives a grant of $15,000 towards their professional development.

The winner of the 2023 Early Childhood Teacher of the Year Award was Rachael Gemmill at Glen Education Glover Street Kindergarten. Learn more about the work Rachael does here: Victorian Early Years Awards Winners.

Eligibility

Nominees for the Early Childhood Teacher of the Year Award must be:

• a provisional or fully registered early childhood teacher with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
• Currently employed in a Victorian licensed children’s or approved education and care service that receives state government funding to provide a kindergarten program. Funded kindergarten programs can be delivered in stand-alone kindergartens, long day care centres and schools.

Selection Criteria

Criterion 1: Award category requirements

Provide a summary of why you believe you should receive the Early Childhood Teacher of the Year Award. (350 words)

Please note, this response is scored so include detailed information and evidence to support your nomination. We recommend you refer to the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) principles, to support your nomination.

Criterion 2:  Professional knowledge and practice

Detail how you draw on your professional knowledge and practice in how you work. (1200 words)

Consider:

• How do you communicate your educational philosophy and express how you support children’s learning?
• What do you draw from the VEYLDF in how you approach your role?
• How do you demonstrate implementation of early childhood theoretical knowledge?
• How do you demonstrate exemplary teaching practice to support children’s learning?

Criterion 3: Professional engagement and commitment

How do you demonstrate professional engagement and commitment to your role? (350 words)

Consider:

• How do you demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional learning?
• How do you contribute to educational debate within your service, network or community?

How the judges will evaluate the applications

• The judges will look for clear and relevant examples of how you demonstrate the key criteria of this award category.
• The judges will consider and review any independent evidence or research you provide in your application that shows why and how your practice is exemplary.
• As the VEYLDF underpins all Victorian early childhood learning, you should reference how you support and implement the VEYLDF and its practice principles.
• What you do should be more than just business as usual and be something innovative or ‘out of the box’.

Here are some of the judging comments from previous years’ Awards. These may help you in preparing your application.

• Strong priority on reflective practice in applicant’s work and engagement with other professionals and accessing coaching to work with the literacy tool kit. Highlights how the early years planning cycle is used to ensure applicant is responsive to what each child is ready to learn.
• Provides evidence for a range of professional learning opportunities that applicant has engaged in to deepen their knowledge of evidence-based teaching strategies and planning for and documentation of learning.
• Applicant demonstrated evidence that the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) strongly guides practice, linked to understanding the children's individual learning needs.
• The entire application demonstrates a continuous cycle of the learning by applicant for self, others and the children.

Application components

There are two parts to the application:

• Part One - Responses to the Selection Criteria: check allocated word limit for each response.
• Part Two - Referees and Endorsement:

Referees

You are required to provide two referees. If you are successful in progressing as a shortlisted finalist, we may contact one or both referees.

One of your referees must be your service coordinator/director, service provider/early years manager, a member of the committee of management or Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent).

Second referees may be:

• senior colleagues, mentor or a member of the community who can provide detail on your nomination
• Department of Education employees, including regional staff, primary school teachers and principals.

Endorsement

Your application requires electronic endorsement by your early childhood service/service provider director or Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent). Once you submit your application, a copy will be emailed for their endorsement.

This award recognises an early childhood educational leader, early childhood service or an approved service provider that has led their educators and teachers to significantly improve the quality of their learning and teaching practices, with a focus on intentional teaching practices to achieve improved outcomes for Victorian children and their families.

The winner of this Award receives a grant of $15,000 towards their project or initiative (if they are an early childhood service or an approved service provider) or $15,000 towards their professional learning if they are an early childhood educational leader.

The winner of the 2023 Emeritus Professor Collette Tayler Excellence in Educational Leadership Award was Early Childhood Management Services Inc. in partnership with The Alannah & Madeline Foundation, Early Childhood Intervention Services – Melbourne City Mission and Children’s Programs – Brotherhood of St Laurence. Learn more about their in-house coaching service at Victorian Early Years Awards Winners.

Eligibility

You must:

• be an early childhood service or an approved service provider who receives state government funding to deliver a kindergarten program. Funded kindergarten programs can be delivered in stand-alone kindergartens, long day care centres and schools.

OR

• be an educational leader who is employed at an early childhood service or an approved service provider who receives state government funding to deliver a kindergarten program. Note: An educational leader is the person nominated at each early years service under the National Quality Framework.

Selection Criteria

Criterion 1: Leadership and professional knowledge and practice

How does the educational leader, early childhood service or approved service provider demonstrate commitment to leadership and improving professional knowledge and practice?

Consider:

• What is the educational leader, early childhood service or approved service provider’s approach to educational leadership?
• How has the educational leader, early childhood service or approved service provider demonstrated commitment to ongoing quality improvement?
• How does the educational leader, early childhood service or approved service provider support the teaching practice of the educators in your service (or services) to be informed by theories of early childhood pedagogy, children’s learning and development and the practice principles of the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework?
• How does the educational leader, early childhood service or approved service provider achieve exceptional teaching practice to support children’s learning?

Criterion 2: Reflective practice and ongoing professional learning

How does the educational leader, early childhood service or approved service provider undertake reflective practice and ongoing professional learning?

Consider:

• How has the educational leader, early childhood service or approved service provider supported the ongoing professional learning of educators and teachers?
• How has the educational leader, early childhood service or approved service provider shared and embedded learnings with all educators at the service or services?

Criterion 3: Intentional teaching practices

Detail the educational leader, early childhood service or approved provider's approach to the inclusion of intentional teaching practices.

Consider:

• How has the educational leader, early childhood service or approved service provider discussed, reviewed, implemented and measured the impact of intentional teaching practices in partnership with the educational team?

How the judges will evaluate the applications

• The judges will look for clear and relevant examples of how the initiative demonstrates the key criteria of this award category.
• The judges will consider and review any independent evidence or research you provide in your application that shows why and how the initiative is a success.
• As the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) underpins all Victorian early childhood learning, you should reference how the initiative supports and implements the VEYLDF and its practice principles.
• The initiative should be more than just business as usual and be something innovative or ‘out of the box’.

Here are some of the judging comments from previous years’ Awards. These may help you in preparing your application.

• Aligns discussion to the local context and the children and families in the community and the educators within the service. It speaks to the continual development of educators to advance young children's learning and development.
• Applicant outlines professional development strategies for building team capacity and leadership skills of individual educators.
• Identifies critical reflection as a key approach to building leadership capabilities in teaching and learning. Professional practice is aligned to professional development.

Application components

There are three parts to the application:

• Part One - Overview: 
  • For an early childhood service or approved service provider: With a 400-word limit, the overview is not scored but should identify when the program commenced, how it links with the evidence base, key stages and achievements, community engagement strategies, how the initiative is innovative and different to everyday business, program outcomes and evaluation. The overview may be used as your profile if your nomination is progressed as a finalist. 
  • For an educational leader: With a 400-word limit, the overview is not scored but should identify how the education leader links their work with an evidence base, key stages and achievements, community engagement strategies, how they use innovative and outline how what they do is different to everyday business. The overview may be used as your profile if your nomination is progressed as a finalist.
• Part Two - Responses to the Selection Criteria: 400-word limit for each response.
• Part Three - Referees and Endorsement:

Referees

You are required to provide two referees. If you are successful in progressing as a shortlisted finalist, we may contact one or both referees.

One of your referees must be your service coordinator/director, service provider/early years manager, a member of the committee of management or Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent).

Second referees may be:

• senior colleagues, mentor or a member of the community who can provide detail on your nomination
• Department of Education employees, including regional staff, primary school teachers and principals.

Endorsement

Your application requires electronic endorsement by your early childhood service/service provider director or Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent). Once you submit your application, a copy will be emailed for their endorsement.

This award recognises one or more early childhood service/s that are demonstrating holistic service provision that engages Aboriginal children and families. The service builds Aboriginal perspectives and amplifies the voices and experiences of Koorie families and local community members through partnerships that enable self-determination.

For example, initiatives may have a focus on:

• creating a positive impact on Koorie children’s development, engagement, learning and wellbeing using a partnership model with families.
• ensuring parents are recognised as first educators and empowered to make decisions that support their child’s learning goals.
• demonstrating quality teaching and learning using a collaborative approach to excellence in pedagogy, assessment, and reporting practices that embed Aboriginal perspectives and celebrate Aboriginal cultures, knowledge, and experience of First Nations peoples through truths, for all children at the service.
• partnerships with the local Koorie community to continually improve staff, children and families understanding of Koorie inclusion and cultural safety, while positively building mutually respectful relationships between the early years’ service and Koorie community.

The winner of this Award receives a grant of $15,000 towards their initiative.

The winner of the 2023 Aunty Rose Bamblett Koorie Early Years Legacy Award was Ballarat & District Aboriginal Co-operative. Learn more about how they holistically cater to each family and child at Victorian Early Years Awards Winners.

Eligibility

You must:

• be an early childhood service or an approved service provider who receives state government funding to deliver a kindergarten program. Funded kindergarten programs can be delivered in stand-alone kindergartens, long day care centres and schools.

Please note that individuals are not eligible for this award category.

Selection Criteria

Criteria 1: Focus on Children and Families

How does the early childhood service demonstrate a positive impact on Koorie children using a partnership model with family and community? 

Consider how the early childhood service has:

• demonstrated individual learning goals for children aligned with the Victorian Early Years Development Framework (VELDYF) with families?
• actively created genuine opportunities for Koorie families to contribute and participate in their child’s education?
• improved access, inclusion and outcomes for Koorie children and families?
• provide a supportive and productive learning environment that promotes inclusion and collaboration for all children?

Criteria 2: Quality teaching and learning

How does the early childhood service demonstrate collaboration, including excellence in curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and reporting practices while also embedding Aboriginal perspectives?

Consider how the early childhood service prioritises and supports staff to:

• develop their own knowledge and skills in engaging and fostering relationships with Koorie people?
• embed Aboriginal perspectives into their practice and provide support for all children to celebrate the rich and thriving Aboriginal cultures, knowledge, and experience of First Nations peoples through truths?
• reflect on teaching practice and extend their cultural understanding?
• improve their teaching practice that best supports Koorie learners?
• use strategic planning and formal reporting to improve learning outcomes for Koorie children?

Criteria 3: Collaborate with community and the system 

How does the early childhood service demonstrate collaborative partnerships within the Koorie community and the system?

Consider, how the early childhood service: 

• demonstrates mutually respectful partnerships with the local Koorie community to continually improve staff, children and families understanding of Koorie inclusion and cultural safety?  
• collaborates with local Aboriginal Traditional Owners and organisations and programs in your area? 
• continually improves practice through shared reflections and conversations with other local services, Aboriginal people and organisations. e.g. Engage in collaborative initiatives such as Communities of Practice, Early Years Networks, and use multidisciplinary teams designed to support Koorie children’s education and wellbeing outcomes?

How the judges will evaluate the applications

• The judges will look for clear and relevant examples of how you demonstrate the key criteria of this award category.
• As the VEYLDF underpins all Victorian early childhood learning, you should reference how you support and implement the VEYLDF and its practice principles.
• What you do should be more than just business as usual and be something innovative or ‘out of the box’.

Here are some of the judging comments from previous years’ Awards. These may help you in preparing your application.

• The response is culturally safe and holistic. Staff have a consistent induction to Aboriginal cultural awareness and safety training.
• Aboriginal pedagogies are learnt and used for reflection and implemented.
• Holistic approach with community voice at its heart. Demonstrated adherence to VEYLDF principles, extensive engagement opportunities and partnerships with families and other community members.
• Culture seems deeply embedded into the program and parent voice is encouraged and respected.

Application components

There are two parts to the application:

• Part One - Responses to the Selection Criteria: check allocated word limit for each response.
• Part Two - Referees and Endorsement

Referees

You are required to provide two referees. If you are successful in progressing as a shortlisted finalist, we may contact one or both referees.

One of your referees must be your service coordinator/director, service provider/early years manager, a member of the committee of management or Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent).

Second referee may be:

• A senior colleague, early childhood teacher, educational leader, mentor or a member of the community who can provide detail on your nomination.

Endorsement

Your application requires electronic endorsement by your early childhood service/service provider director or Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent). Once you submit your application, a copy will be emailed for their endorsement.

This award recognises an early childhood educator who has demonstrated innovative and exemplary practice in early childhood education and care. Their nomination will demonstrate how they have made a significant contribution to the delivery of high-quality early childhood education programs and/or achieved significant improvements in children’s learning and development outcomes.

The winner of this Award receives a grant of $15,000 towards their professional development.

The winner of the 2023 Educator of the Year Award was Sue Bullock at Kinglake Ranges Children’s Centre. Learn more about the work Sue does here: Victorian Early Years Awards Winners.

Eligibility

Nominees for the Educator of the Year Award:

• Must have an ACECQA recognised certificate III or diploma qualified early childhood qualification.
• must be currently employed in a Victorian licensed children’s or approved education and care service that receives state government funding to provide a kindergarten program. Funded kindergarten programs can be delivered in stand-alone kindergartens, long day care centres and schools.
• who are upskilling and are already leading a kindergarten program under alternative funding arrangements are eligible to apply within this category
• do not have to be working in the kindergarten program to be eligible for this category.

Selection Criteria

Criterion 1: Award category requirements

Provide a summary of why you believe you should receive the Educator of the Year Award. How has your practice contributed to the delivery of high-quality education programming and achieved improvements in children's learning? (350 words)

Please note, this response is scored so include detailed information and evidence to support your nomination. We recommend you refer to the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) Practice Principles to support your nomination.

Criterion 2: Professional knowledge and practice

Detail how you draw on your professional knowledge and practice in how you work. (1200 words)

Consider:

• How does your practice align with the service’s educational philosophy to support children's learning?
• How do you work with your colleagues to support their professional practice and knowledge?
• Why is your role important and what do you do to support children's learning and development? How do you work with families and children to support this?
• What do you draw from the VEYLDF in how you approach your role?
• How is early childhood theoretical knowledge demonstrated within your practice?
• Provide examples of exemplary programming and practice that you utilise to support children’s learning.

Criterion 3: Professional engagement and commitment

Demonstrate how you continue to keep your practice evolving and how you support others to do the same. (350 words)

Consider:

• How do you demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional learning?
• How do you contribute to educational debate and critical reflection within your service, network or community?

How the judges will evaluate the applications

• The judges will look for clear and relevant examples of how you demonstrate the key criteria of this award category.
• As the VEYLDF underpins all Victorian early childhood learning, you should reference how you support and implement the VEYLDF and its practice principles.
• What you do should be more than just business as usual and be something innovative or ‘out of the box’.

The following judging comments from the previous years’ awards may help you in preparing your application.

• Strong priority on reflective practice in applicant’s work and engagement with other professionals. Highlights how the early years planning cycle is used to ensure applicant is responsive to what each child is ready to learn.
• Provides evidence for a range of professional learning opportunities that applicant has engaged in to deepen their knowledge of programming and planning for and documentation of learning.
• Applicant demonstrated evidence that the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) strongly guides practice, linked to understanding the children's individual learning needs.

Application components

There are two parts to the application:

• Part One - Responses to the Selection Criteria: check allocated word limit for each response.
• Part Two - Referees and Endorsement

Referees

You are required to provide two referees. If you are successful in progressing as a shortlisted finalist, we may contact one or both referees.

One of your referees must be your service coordinator/director, service provider/early years manager, a member of the committee of management or Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent).

Second referee may be:

• A senior colleague, early childhood teacher, educational leader, mentor or a member of the community who can provide detail on your nomination.

Endorsement

Your application requires electronic endorsement by your early childhood service/service provider director or Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent).

Once you submit your application, a copy will be emailed for their endorsement.