WINNERS for 2025!

Firstly, thank you to our wonderful sponsors again for their support and recognition of the importance of the early childhood education and care sector, its services and its people.

https://vimeo.com/1135236437

Following a new record number of nominations ever received for the annual Excellence in Early Childhood Education Awards, of the finalists for 2025, congratulations go to the following winners:

For the Metropolitan Services Excellence Awards - Large Private Metropolitan Service (40 places or more)

• Clever Cubs Early Learning Centre, Smithfield NSW

  
  

For the Metropolitan Services Excellence Awards - Small Private Metropolitan Service (39 places or less)

• Bindook Cottage, Terrey Hills NSW

  
  

For the Metropolitan Services Excellence Awards - Community Metropolitan Service

• Birrahlee Preschool, Lane Cove NSW

For the Regional/Rural Services Excellence Awards - Large Private Regional/Rural Service (40 places or more)

• Junior Einsteins Shell Heights, Dunmore NSW

  
  

For the Regional/Rural Services Excellence Awards - Small Private Regional/Rural Service (39 places or less)

• Cambridge Hills Preschool, Rankin Park NSW

  
  

For the Regional/Rural Services Excellence Awards - Large Community Regional/Rural Service

• Gilgandra Preschool, Gilgandra NSW

  
  

For the Regional/Rural Services Excellence Awards - Large Community Regional/Rural Service

• Possums Early Learning Centre, Wagga Wagga NSW

For the Excellence Awards - Excellence in Education Program & Practice

• Little Treasures Childcare, Singleton NSW

  
  

For the Excellence Awards - Excellence in Environmental Program

• liv2learn Early Education, Thirlmere NSW

For the Excellence Awards - Excellence in Partnerships with Families

• Clovel Childcare & Early Learning Centre, South Penrith NSW

  
  

For the Excellence Awards - Excellence in Community Involvement

• liv2learn Early Education, Thirlmere NSW

  
  

For the Excellence Awards - Excellence in Inclusivity Practices

• Gilgandra Preschool, Gilgandra NSW

  
  

For the Excellence Awards - Excellence in Children's Wellbeing & Health

• Clovel Childcare & Early Learning Centre, Greystanes NSW

  
  

For the Excellence Awards - Excellence in Children's Safety

• Gilgandra Preschool, Gilgandra NSW

  
  

For the Excellence Awards - Excellence in Food & Nutrition

• HazelGrove Early Education Centre, Baulkham Hills NSW

  
  

For the Excellence Awards - Excellence in Multicultural Program

• Cuddlez Preschool and Montessori, Quakers Hill NSW

For the Excellence Awards - Excellence in Food & Menu Design

• Children's Centre, Ulladulla NSW

  
  

For the Excellence Awards - Excellence in Australian History & Culture

• Junior Einsteins Shell Heights, Dunmore NSW

  
  

For the Excellence in Training - Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

• Ella Meilak, Owl and The Pussy Cat, Collaroy Plateau NSW

For the Excellence in Training - Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care

• Darcie Chapman, Little Diggers Preschool, Collaroy Plateau NSW

  
  

For the Excellence in Training - Training Excellence Award

• Gilgandra Preschool, Gilgandra NSW

  
  

For the Excellence in People - Team Excellence Award - Metropolitan Service

• Toybox Early Learning, Mascot NSW

For the Excellence in People - Team Excellence Award - Regional/Rural Service

• Boorowa Early Education Centre, Boorowa NSW

For the Excellence in People - Employer Excellence Award

• 3 Bears Cottage Early Education Service, Coffs Harbour NSW

  
  

For the Excellence in People - Director/Nominated Supervisor Excellence Award

• Monalisa Jani, CASS Gumnut Early Learning Centre, St Leonards NSW

  
  

For the Excellence in People - Female Educator Excellence Award

• Chantelle Whiting, Neutral Bay Kindergarten, Cremorne NSW

For the Excellence in People - Male Educator Excellence Award

• Samuel Klus, Goodstart Early Learning, Tuggerah NSW

  
  

For the Excellence in People - Educational Leader Excellence Award

• Elizabeth Fricker, Cressy Road Early Learning, Ryde NSW

  
  

For the Excellence in People - Young Female Educator Excellence Award (25 years or less)

• Breearna Thorn, 3 Bears Cottage Early Education Service, Coffs Harbour NSW

For the Excellence in People - Young Male Educator Excellence Award (25 years or less)

• Ben Winnel, Little Wonders Early Education Centre Estella NSW

For the Excellence in People - Service Support Person Excellence Award

• Hayley Hoawerth, Hunter Valley Grammar School Early Learning Centre, Ashtonfield NSW

  
  

For Children's Outcomes - Outcomes for Children (Birth-3 Years) Award

• Peek-A-Boo Cottage, Seaforth NSW

For Children's Outcomes - Outcomes for Children (Preschool) Award

• Central Coast Montessori, Wamberal NSW

  
  

For Business Excellence Awards - Large Metropolitan Service (40 places or more)

• Oakville Preschool Learning Centre, Oakville NSW

For Business Excellence Awards - Small Metropolitan Service (39 places or less)

• Milieu Early Education and Care, Condell Park NSW

  
  

For Business Excellence Awards - Large Regional/Rural Service (40 places or more)

• Bowral Street Childcare, Bowral NSW

  
  

For Business Excellence Awards - Small Regional Rural Service (39 places or less)

• Developing Dreams Early Learning, Chain Valley Bay NSW

  
  

Thank you to all the services and individuals who put forward your nominations, without which the annual Excellence in Early Childhood Education Awards cannot be made possible.

PUBLISHED: 10 NOVEMBER 2025