South Australia’s early childhood educators, teachers and services are set to be recognised through a new awards program aimed at celebrating those making a difference in children’s early learning and development.
Nominations have opened for the inaugural Flying Start Early Childhood Awards, which will acknowledge outstanding contributions across the sector as the state expands access to three-year-old preschool under its Flying Start reforms.
The awards include categories for educators, teachers and leaders, alongside honours for services demonstrating quality practice in key areas. A dedicated category will also recognise an Aboriginal individual or service that has helped strengthen outcomes for Aboriginal communities.
The initiative comes as the State Government prepares to roll out a new professional development program designed to strengthen workforce skills and support quality improvements across the early childhood sector.
Known as Enhancing Quality, the $2.5 million program will provide additional training opportunities for educators and teachers working in partner preschools delivering three-year-old preschool. The program forms part of the Government’s broader $1.9 billion Flying Start initiative.
The training will focus on educational practice, relationships with children, and leadership and governance. The aim is to help educators build their skills while supporting positive learning and developmental outcomes for children.
Workforce development has been a recurring issue across the early childhood education sector, with access to professional learning opportunities often limited by staffing pressures, costs and location. Sector advocates have long argued that ongoing training plays an important role in maintaining quality services and retaining experienced educators.
The Government says the Enhancing Quality program is intended to address some of those challenges by increasing access to professional development and supporting staff as three-year-old preschool is introduced more broadly across South Australia.
Funding for services participating in the program is expected to begin in early 2027, with additional support directed towards regional, remote and lower socio-economic communities.
The announcement builds on previous investments in the workforce, including $10.9 million allocated to initiatives aimed at attracting and retaining educators. Among those measures is the Flying Start Pathways Program, which assists students completing early childhood qualifications through tailored support and career guidance.
Education Minister Lucy Hood said the awards would recognise educators and services demonstrating commitment to children and families across the state.
She said investment in early childhood education needed to be matched by investment in the people delivering those services, particularly as the rollout of three-year-old preschool accelerates.
Office for Early Childhood Development chief executive Kim Little said educators remained central to the success of the reforms and played a vital role in supporting children’s learning, wellbeing and school readiness.
South Australians can nominate individuals or services through an online process. Finalists will be announced on Early Childhood Educators’ Day on 2 September, with winners to be revealed at an awards event the following month.
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