South Australians working in the state’s early childhood sector can now nominate for the inaugural Flying Start Early Childhood Awards.
The Awards were recently announced by SA’s Minister for Education, Training and Skills, Hon. Lucy Hood in partnership with the Office for Early Childhood Development (OECD) and recognise outstanding educators, leaders and services raising the profile and shaping the future of early childhood education.
“The passion, care and dedication shaping the future of early childhood education in our state is more important than ever as our government fast-tracks delivery of three-year-old preschool,” Minister Lucy Hood said.
“The commitment and talents of our early childhood champions are vital to improving outcomes for children and reducing the number of children entering school with developmental vulnerabilities,” said Kim Little, Chief Executive, OECD.
Categories include individual honours for outstanding leaders, teachers and educators, service awards for uplifting quality in key areas and a dedicated award for an Aboriginal individual or service that has strengthened outcomes for communities.
The Flying Start Early Childhood Awards align with this government’s early childhood education reforms, highlighting the excellence and innovation helping to lift quality and outcomes across the sector.
Nominations will be open until 31 July 2026, and the finalists will be announced on Early Childhood Educators’ Day, 2 September 2026. The winners will then be revealed at an awards ceremony later in the year.
The Awards coincide with a new program to boost the skills of early childhood educators and teachers delivering three-year-old preschool and improve quality across the sector, which will be implemented as part of the Government’s landmark Flying Start reforms.
The $2.5 million Enhancing Quality program will enable non-government partner preschools to access further training and strengthen workforce capabilities to lift their quality and improve outcomes for children.
The program focuses on three key areas – educational program and practice, relationships with children, and leadership and governance – to improve developmental outcomes for children, lift standards and better equip staff.
Historically, accessing professional development has been a challenge for many in the early childhood education sector, which can impact the delivery of quality preschool and retention of experienced staff.
“When we invest in early childhood, we must also invest in the people who deliver it,” Minister Hood said.
“Enhancing Quality will provide professional development support for South Australia’s early childhood workforce, helping improve learning and wellbeing outcomes for young children, Kim Little said.
The South Australian Government is committed to increasing access to these opportunities and investing in educators and early childhood teachers who are central to the universal rollout of three-year-old preschool across the state.
Services are set to receive funding at the start of 2027, with extra investment in areas of greatest need including regional, remote and lower socio-economic areas.
Help recognise outstanding educators, leaders and services across South Australia and nominate those making an impact via: https://oecd.awardsplatform.com (Nominations are open until 31 July 2026)
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