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2026 Flying Start Early Childhood Awards

Finalists announced

The Flying Start Early Childhood Awards celebrate excellence across South Australia's early childhood education and care sector, recognising the outstanding educators, teachers, leaders, professionals and services who help children learn, grow and thrive.

This year’s nominations showcased the passion, dedication and impact of professionals and services from across the state, highlighting the vital role they play in supporting children, families and communities.

We are proud to announce the 21 finalists across 7 award categories. Being named a finalist is a significant achievement and reflects the exceptional contribution these individuals, services, providers and suppliers make every day.

Congratulations to all finalists on this outstanding recognition. View the full list of finalists below.

Jump to category:

Warm & Welcoming Award

Ardtornish Children's Centre

Kaurna Country

Ardtornish Children’s Centre offers families a place to connect and engage with services and other families from birth including through CAFHS mothers' groups, playgroups, occasional care and preschool. Children and families are engaged in decision making and held at the centre of everything the service does.

Kadina Child Care Centre

Narangga Country

Kadina Child Care Centre clearly demonstrates the positive impact of the service's family and community engagement practices over time, with strong examples of improved inclusion, cultural understanding and confidence for children and families. The use of parent perspectives adds credibility and effectively demonstrates the difference these practices have made.

Lockleys Child Care & Early Learning Centre

Kaurna Country

Lockleys Child Care & Early Learning Centre has created a culture where families feel genuinely welcomed, valued and supported, particularly those navigating additional challenges. The centre demonstrates a commitment to inclusion, family partnership and individualised support with the nomination being from a parent noting Lockleys has become a trusted village for the family.

Uplifting Quality Award

Campbelltown Community Children's Centre

Kaurna Country

Campbelltown Community Children’s Centre demonstrates a genuine commitment to continuous improvement, fostering a positive workplace culture, consistency in practice, and excellence in outcomes for children, families, and educators.

Goodstart Early Learning Burton

Kaurna Country

Goodstart Early Learning Burton has demonstrated sustained growth in quality through a strong focus on staff development, continuity of care, shared learning, and meaningful everyday interactions that enhance outcomes for children and families.

Prospect Community Early Education and Care

Kaurna Country

Prospect Community Early Education & Care has implemented quality improvement through upgrading an outdoor space to create a community garden and using the space in a way that fosters collaboration, and supports learning, wellbeing and inclusion.

Outstanding Partnership & Collaboration Award

Goodstart Early Learning, in partnership with Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS)

State-wide

The partnership between Goodstart Early Learning and CaFHS has made a significant impact on children, families, and the community by increasing participation in 3-year-old health and development checks and supporting early identification and intervention for children who may benefit from additional support.

Murray Bridge Education Office - Calm, Capable, Curious and Connected (C4) Partnership

Ngarrindjeri Country, Narangga Country and Meru Country

The Calm, Capable, Curious and Connected (C4) Partnership was established in response to shared workforce challenges across 17 rural and regional preschools in the Murraylands, Waikerie, the Coorong and the Mallee. The partnership has demonstrated positive changes in educator confidence and practice when supporting children's regulation needs. Educators report significant benefits from peer support and collaboration, particularly given the isolated communities they serve.

Novita Let’s Chat program, in partnership with Reynella Community Children's Centre

Kaurna Country

Novita’s Let’s Chat program, in partnership with Reynella Community Children’s Centre, strengthens children’s communication skills and confidence while building educator capability in delivering effective multimodal communication strategies. Through collaboration and shared expertise, the service is creating positive and lasting outcomes for children and educators alike.

Aboriginal Early Childhood Award

Crystal Brook Kindergarten

Nukunu Country

Crystal Brook Kindergarten demonstrates a strong and authentic commitment to embedding Aboriginal culture, identity and Community into everyday practice. Through genuine partnerships with Aboriginal families, the Nukunu Board, cultural advisors, artists, and Aboriginal young people, Community knowledge actively shapes curriculum, environments, and decision-making.

Port Lincoln Children’s Centre

Barngarla Country

Port Lincoln Children's Centre demonstrates a strong commitment to Aboriginal family and Community leadership. Aboriginal Elders play an active role in supporting families, while parents and carers contribute to governance, planning and decision-making.

Port Pirie West Children's Centre

Nukunu Country

Port Pirie West Children’s Centre demonstrates a strong whole-service commitment to Aboriginal culture, identity and Community. Aboriginal perspectives are embedded in everyday practice, with Community voices influencing programs, environments, professional learning and future planning.

Early Childhood Educator of the Year Award

Marie Flomo, Highway Child Care & Early Learning Centre

Kaurna Country

Marie creates an inclusive environment where every child feels valued, heard, and supported. Through her nurturing relationships and genuine care, she fosters a strong sense of belonging, making a lasting difference in the lives of children and their families.

Michaela-Anne Michie, Whyalla Early Learning Centre

Barngarla Country

Michaela-Anne creates inclusive, sensory-rich learning experiences that support children with diverse needs. Her innovative use of educational resources, commitment to continuous professional learning, and dedication to improving outcomes for children make her a highly valued educator who fosters participation and wellbeing for all children.

Rebecca Shillabeer, Port Lincoln Children's Centre

Barngarla Country

Rebecca is a passionate advocate for Aboriginal children who has made a lasting contribution to children, families, and educators through her dedication and commitment to high-quality early childhood education. Her collaborative approach to child-led, play-based learning continue to inspire positive outcomes across her learning community.

Early Childhood Teacher of the Year Award

Qiaoyun Dai, Forbes Children's Centre

Kaurna Country

Qiaoyun inspires children to lead their own learning through inquiry-based experiences and thoughtful teaching while supporting diverse learning needs. Her commitment to Kaurna language and Country, combined with reflective practice, mentoring, and continuous professional growth, exemplifies excellence in early childhood education.

Rosina Rawlings, Park Holme Community Children’s Service

Kaurna Country

Rosina demonstrates outstanding intentional teaching, creating meaningful learning experiences that build strong relationships, foster collaboration, and evolve from children's interests. Her thoughtful practice extends learning beyond the classroom, delivering positive outcomes for children, families, and colleagues.

Shani Stoeckel, Diagonal Road Community Children's Centre

Kaurna Country

Shani skilfully balances child-led play with intentional teaching, supporting diverse learners through strong family partnerships and inclusive practice. As a valued mentor and reflective educator, she makes a positive impact on children and families.

Excellence in Early Childhood Leadership Award

Emily McNair, Trinity College Kindergarten / Pre-School

Kaurna Country

Emily shows leadership through an evidence-informed, coaching-based approach that strengthens educator capability and promotes sustainable improvement across three preschools. Emily's leadership is characterised by collaboration, psychological safety and a strong focus on developing educators as confident and independent professionals.

Jane Parolin, Bower Education - Cranley House Nursery School and ELC

Kaurna Country

Jane excels at building shared frameworks that strengthen educator decision-making, reflective practice, and professional judgement. Through a strong coaching approach, she develops the capability of others and supports continuous improvement in teaching and learning.

Kellie Bails, Port Pirie West Children's Centre

Nukunu Country

Kellie demonstrates authentic, relational, and strategic leadership that drives capability building, service improvement, and positive outcomes for children and families. She leads with purpose, fostering strong relationships while creating sustainable improvements across her service.

What happens next?

Winners will be announced at the Flying Start Early Childhood Awards Ceremony on Wednesday 14 October 2026, where we will celebrate excellence and achievement across the early childhood education and care sector.

Thank you to all nominators and nominees for helping showcase the remarkable dedication and impact across the early childhood education and care sector in South Australia.

Have a question?

Contact the Flying Start Early Childhood Awards team

Phone: 1800 868 657
Email:  OECD.Awards@sa.gov.au