WINNERS for 2026!

It was a very memorable Excellence in Early Childhood Education Awards Gala Night at The Fullerton Hotel on Saturday, 12 September 2026 as the finalists for 2026 gathered to find out who are the winners for 2026.

https://vimeo.com/1226318297

New records were set: a 47% increase in nominations, a 40% increase in the number of services nominating, and a new record 757 attendees! This reinforces the annual Excellence in Early Childhood Education Awards as the largest for the early childhood education and care sector not only in NSW but also in Australia.

Thank you again to our wonderful and faithful sponsors:

• Guild Insurance

• Guild Early Learning

• KKTC Education

• NOVA Employment

• Huggies

• Ranger Jamie Tours, and

• Twinkl

And thank you to our very special guests:

• the Hon Julia Finn MP, Parliamentary Secretary representing the NSW Premier

• Felicity Wilson MP, NSW Shadow Minister for Early Learning

• Kylie Crane, Deputy Secretary, Federal Department of Education

• Anne Twyman, First Assistant Secretary, Federal Department of Education

• Michael Petrie, General Manager, ACECQA

• Tina Harris, aka Lah-Lah of Lah-Lah Big Live Band

• Mark Harris, aka Bazz of Lah-Lah Big Live Band

And the Excellence in Early Childhood Education Awards 2026 winners are:

For the Metropolitan Services Excellence Awards - Large Metropolitan Service (80 places or more)

• Montessori Academy, Oran Park NSW - WINNER

  
  

For the Metropolitan Services Excellence Awards - Medium Metropolitan Service (40-79 places)

• Nurtured Education and Care, Gladesville NSW - WINNER

  
  

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

• Bundeena Maianbar Preschool, Bundeena NSW - HIGHLY COMMENDED

• Clovel Childcare & Early Learning Centre, South Penrith NSW - WINNER

  
  

For the Regional/Rural/Remote Services Excellence Awards - Large Regional/Rural/Remote Service (80 places or more)

• Imagine Childcare and Preschool, Orange NSW - HIGHLY COMMENDED

• Little Wonders Early Educational Centre, Estella NSW - WINNER

  
  

For the Regional/Rural/Remote Services Excellence Awards - Medium Regional/Rural/Remote Service (40-79 places or more)

• Oakville Preschool Learning Centre, Oakville NSW - WINNER

  
  

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

• Gumnut Kidz Kindergarten, Narellan NSW - WINNER

  
  

For Excellence in Educational Program & Practice

• 3 Bears Cottage Early Education Service, Coffs Harbour NSW - WINNER

  
  

For Excellence in Environmental Program

• Coastal Kids Umina, Umina Beach NSW - HIGHLY COMMENDED

• Mulgoa Preschool, Mulgoa NSW - WINNER

  
  

For Excellence in Partnerships with Families

• Kids Planet Academy, North Ryde NSW - WINNER

  
  

For Excellence in Community Involvement

• Mi Kids, Warriewood NSW - WINNER

  
  

For Excellence in Inclusivity Practices

• Gilgandra Preschool Inc, Gilgandra NSW - WINNER

  
  

For Excellence in Children's Wellbeing & Health

• Narrabeen Children's Centre, Narrabeen NSW - WINNER

  
  

For Excellence in Children's Safety

• Mi Kids, Warriewood - WINNER

  
  

For Excellence in Food, Nutrition & Menu Design

• Next Generation Kindergarten, Yagoona NSW - WINNER

  
  

For Excellence in Multicultural Program

• CASS Gumnut Early Learning Centre, St Leonards NSW - WINNER

  
  

For Excellence in Australian History & Culture

• Clovel Childcare & Early Learning Centre, Granville NSW - WINNER

  
  

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

• Breeanna Murphy, Pebbles Early Learning Centre, Raby NSW - WINNER

  
  

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

• Carol Raslan, Kindalin, Rouse Hill NSW- WINNER

  
  

Excellence in Training - Degree in Early Childhood Education and Care

• Francesca Hudson, Little Miracles, Kanwal NSW - WINNER

  
  

For Excellence in Training - Training Excellence Award

• Gilgandra Preschool Inc, Gilgandra NSW - WINNER

  
  

For Excellence in People - Team Excellence Award - Large Metropolitan Service (80 places or more)

• Story House Early Learning, Alexandria NSW - WINNER

For Excellence in People - Team Excellence Award - Medium Metropolitan Service (40-79 places)

• The Lookout Early Education Centre, Mosman NSW - WINNER

  
  

For Excellence in People - Team Excellence Award - Small Metropolitan Service (39 places or less)

• Clovel Day Nursery, Merrylands NSW - WINNER

  
  

For Excellence in People - Team Excellence Award - Large Regional/Rural/Remote Service (80 places or more)

• Goodstart, Shell Cove NSW - WINNER

  
  

For Excellence in People - Team Excellence Award - Medium Regional/Rural/Remote Service (40-79 places)

• Spotted Frog Kindergarten, Lake Haven NSW - WINNER

  
  

For Excellence in People - Team Excellence Award - Small Regional/Rural/Remote Service (49 places or less)

• Cambridge Hills Preschool, Rankin Park NSW - WINNER

  
  

For Excellence in People - Employer Excellence Award

• Explore & Develop, Leichhardt NSW

  
  

For Excellence in People - Nominated Supervisor/Director Excellence Award

• Denise (Zhiyue) Zhang, Story House Early Learning, Mascot NSW - WINNER

For Excellence in People - Educator Excellence Award

• Rebecca Dinham, Gumnut Kidz Kindergarten, Narellan NSW - WINNER

  
  

For Excellence in People - Young Educator Excellence Award (25 years or younger)

• Teagan Bowler, Little Zak's Academy, Jordan Springs NSW - WINNER

  
  

Excellence in People - Educational Leader Excellence Award

• Effy Jung, Bluebird Early Education, Roseville NSW - WINNER

  
  

For Excellence in People - Service Support Person Excellence Award

• Nonna Lisa, Milieu Early Education and Care, Condell Park NSW - WINNER

  
  

For Excellence in People - Wellbeing Excellence Award - Metropolitan Service

• Cuddlez Preschool and Montessori, Quakers Hill NSW - HIGHLY COMMENDED

• Milieu Early Education and Care, Condell Park NSW - WINNER

  
  

For Excellence in People - Wellbeing Excellence Award - Regional/Rural/Remote Service

• Little Miracles Preschool, Point Clare NSW - WINNER

For Children's Outcomes - Outcomes for Children (Birth-3 years)

• Little Wonders Early Educational Centre, Estella NSW - WINNER

  
  

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

• Boorowa Early Education Centre, Boorowa NSW - WINNER

  
  

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: 12 SEPTEMBER 2026