Call for Victorian Early Years Awards nominations

A SEARCH for the state’s best early years teachers, educators, organisations and educational programs has begun as part of the 2025 Victorian Early Years Awards.

Nominations are open across categories including creating collaborative community partnerships, improving access and participation, and promoting children’s health and wellbeing.

Outstanding individual contributions to early childhood outcomes will be recognised through the Early Childhood Teacher and Early Childhood Educator of the Year awards, while outstanding educational leadership will be celebrated through the Emeritus Professor Collette Tayler Excellence in Educational Leadership Award.

Early childhood services embedding Aboriginal perspectives and supporting Aboriginal children and families with access and inclusion will also be celebrated through the Aunty Rose Bamblett Koorie Early Years Legacy Award. All winners will receive $15,000 to further develop their initiatives and share the learnings of their approaches, or to support their professional development.

Finalists from the nine categories will also be considered for the Minister’s Award, selected by Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn.

“Now is the time to start thinking about who you can nominate for the Victorian Early Years Awards – and help early childhood teachers, educators and leaders get the recognition they deserve for their incredible work,” Ms Blandthorn said.

“This year we’ll celebrate 20 years of these awards which cover the entire early years sector and their tireless efforts and contributions they make to improve the lives of Victorian children.”

Nominations close on Thursday 12 June and can be made on the Victorian Government website.

Finalists will be announced in August.