2026 Flying Start Early Childhood Awards
Winners announced
On Wednesday 14 October, we announced the winners of the Flying Start Early Childhood Awards at a special function, celebrating excellence from across South Australia's early childhood education and care sector. The event recognised excellence demonstrated by the dedicated and skilled educators, teachers, leaders, professionals and services who support children to learn, grow and thrive.
Congratulations to all finalists and award winners on their outstanding achievements.
Jump to winners:
- Warm & Welcoming Award
- Uplifting Quality Award
- Outstanding Partnership & Collaboration Award
- Aboriginal Early Childhood Award
- Early Childhood Educator of the Year Award
- Early Childhood Teacher of the Year Award
- Excellence in Early Childhood Leadership Award
Warm & Welcoming Award
Kadina Child Care Centre
Narungga Country
Kadina Child Care Centre takes pride in providing an inclusive, loving and educational environment where children have every opportunity to thrive. The Centre offers a high-quality, nurturing, play-based learning environment that reflects the positive impact the service has had through its engagement with families and the community. Through its commitment to inclusion and Cultural understanding, the Centre has created an atmosphere where all families feel a sense of belonging and all children can be themselves. The joyful perspectives shared by parents add credibility and demonstrate the difference the Centre has made to its community through its practices.
Kadina Child Care Hub
Kadina Child Care Centre
Uplifting Quality Award
Goodstart Early Learning Burton
Kaurna Country
Over the past 3 years, Goodstart Early Learning Burton has rebuilt quality across its service from the ground up. With a commitment to providing the highest quality care for children, the team doesn't treat quality as something to prepare for; it is something they live every day. They have grown a professional team, including supporting 9 educators to become fully qualified. Their dedication to practice demonstrates a strong focus on staff development, shared learning and meaningful everyday interactions with children. They have created an environment where children, families and educators can work and thrive together.
Goodstart Early Learning Burton
Outstanding Partnership & Collaboration Award
Goodstart Early Learning, in partnership with Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS)
State-wide
The statewide partnership between Goodstart Early Learning and Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS) is making a meaningful difference to the health, development, wellbeing and school readiness of children across South Australia. By bringing health care services into trusted early learning environments, the partnership makes health care more accessible for families and increases participation in 3-year-old health and development checks. The collaboration combines Goodstart's trusted relationship with local communities with CaFHS's expertise in child health, enabling earlier identification and assistance for children who may benefit from additional support. Together, they provide coordinated, family-centred support that helps children access the right services, helping more South Australian children thrive before they start school.
Goodstart Early Learning, in partnership with Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS)
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 and Cultural advisors, Aboriginal voices help shape decisions and learning for children. At the Kindergarten, children engage with Aboriginal Culture through storytelling, meaningful conversations and books, fostering curiosity, empathy, respect and a strong connection to Country. This approach creates a genuine sense of belonging for every Aboriginal child and family, while supporting all children to develop a deep respect for the world's oldest continuing culture.
Crystal Brook Kindergarten
Early Childhood Educator of the Year Award
Michaela-Anne Michie, Whyalla Early Learning Centre
Barngarla Country
Michaela-Anne has worked at Whyalla Early Learning Centre for 4 years, where her resilience, commitment and strong work ethic have made a lasting impact. Her passion for creating sensory-rich, engaging learning resources, often in her own time, reflects her genuine dedication to early childhood education. Michaela-Anne has completed her Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, as well as The Career Academy’s Psychology, Youth Counselling and Mental Health course. She applies this knowledge through evidence-based practices that strengthen her service’s ability to support children’s needs. As a highly valued educator in her team, Michaela-Anne fosters meaningful participation, learning and wellbeing for every child.
Michaela-Anne Michie, Whyalla Early Learning Centre
Early Childhood Teacher of the Year Award
Qiaoyun Dai, Forbes Children's Centre
Kaurna Country
Qiaoyun empowers children to lead their own learning through inquiry-based experiences, thoughtful teaching and inclusive practices that respond to diverse learning needs. She has embraced her professional journey from provisional to full teacher registration through mentoring, reflection and ongoing professional learning. Qiaoyun thoughtfully combines children’s interests, family participation, Cultural responsiveness and intentional curriculum planning to create meaningful learning experiences. Her commitment to incorporating Kaurna language and connection to Country, alongside her reflective practice, demonstrates a strong dedication to continuous improvement and excellence in early childhood education.
Qiaoyun Dai, Forbes Children's Centre
Excellence in Early Childhood Leadership Award
Kellie Bails, Port Pirie West Children's Centre
Nukunu Country
Kellie currently works at Port Pirie West Children’s Centre, where her leadership has made a lasting impact on children, families, educators and the wider community. Under her leadership, the service has grown into one of South Australia’s first Integrated Hubs. She leads with purpose alongside her team, fostering relationships with families, establishing a Local Enabling Group and strengthening partnerships with Aboriginal organisations. Kellie drives sustainable improvements by bringing staff together and valuing children’s voices to encourage their ideas. Through her relational and authentic leadership, she inspires her community every day to continuously learn, reflect and improve together.
Kellie Bails, Port Pirie West Children's Centre
Have a question?
Contact the Flying Start Early Childhood Awards team
Phone: 1800 868 657
Email: OECD.Awards@sa.gov.au
Thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate and vote.