New award category

2025 Outstanding Education and Care Program Award

Fostering inclusion, engagement and participation in early childhood education and care is the theme for the 2025 Outstanding Education and Care Program Award.

Children and families benefit from meaningful inclusion and participation in high-quality early childhood education and care.

Services that develop connections and understand the needs of their community build trust, foster a sense of belonging, and encourage children and families participation in the program or service.

These concepts align to element 6.2.2 of the National Quality Standard which states that services’ effective partnerships with families and communities support children’s access, inclusion and participation in the program.

Eligibility

  • The early childhood education and care service or program has demonstrated excellence in this area as part of their  service provision.
  • The program must be led by at least one early childhood educator or teacher who holds an ACECQA approved qualification.
  • Early childhood education and care service or program is located in the Northern Territory.
  • Early childhood education and care service or program caters for children aged from birth to 5 years (12 years for OSHC services).
  • Early childhood education and care service or program type is; outside school hours care, long day care, family day care, kindergarten, preschool, playgroup, Families as First Teachers or other service type that is not part of a formal schooling program from the year Transition onwards.
  • Nomination is endorsed by the supervisor or service provider.

How to nominate

The nomination process is easy.  Simply go to nominations and complete the online nomination form.

Evidence

Shortlisted nominations will be required to provide evidence to the judging panel that demonstrates the programs delivery and evaluation. This could include: photographs, videos, work samples and educator evaluations.

Permissions

Services and programs must ensure that they have written permission from parents and staff to share documentation of the program with the NT Education and Care Awards. This documentation may be used at the award ceremony and for promotional purposes on this website.