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Excellence and Innovation Awards - past winners
C&K has a proud history of recognising and supporting individuals and services who champion children, families and the community.
The C&K Excellence and Innovation Awards began with awards in eco-efficiency sustainability and have grown to embrace a broader understanding of work incorporating sustaining people, place and culture within the early years’ sector.
The Awards now address innovative and exceptional practice across education and service management.
Our 2022 Winners
Emeritus Professor Mary Mahoney AO Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Louise Stallard - C&K Forestview Community Kindergarten
Pedagogy and Practice
- Exceptional Practice - C&K Ripley Childcare Centre (Kindergarten Team: Jessica Sommerville and Amy Wirepa)
- Continuous Improvement - C&K Caboolture Community Kindergarten
Children, Families, and Community
- Exceptional Practice - C&K Wilston Community Childcare Centre
- Continuous Improvement - West Moreton Community Kindergarten
Exceptional People
- Exceptional Practice - Kylie Goodwin (C&K Marian Community Kindergarten)
- Continuous Improvement - Carly Smith (C&K Kuluin Community Kindergarten)
Kaizen (Change for Better)
- Exceptional Practice - C&K Coolum Childcare Centre
- Continuous Improvement - Wynnum Manly Community Kindergarten
Leadership and Advocacy
- Exceptional Practice - Louise Stallard (C&K Forestview Community Kindergarten)
- Continuous Improvement - C&K Gabbinbar Community Kindergarten
Our 2021 Winners
Emeritus Professor Mary Mahoney AO Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education and Care
- C&K Thornlands Childcare Centre
Sunshine Coast
- Authentic Partnerships: Carramar Community Kindergarten.
- Rich Relationships and Connections: East St Kindy
Brisbane
- Professional Inquiry and Reflective Practice: Thornlands Childcare Centre
- Rich Relationships and Connections: C&K Gabbinbar Community Kindergarten
- Diversity and Interconnectedness: C&K Oakey Community Kindergarten
- Collaborative Partnerships: C&K Ripley Childcare and Kindergarten
- Diversity and Interconnectedness: Wynnum Manly Community Kindergarten
Townsville
- Authentic Collaborative Partnerships: C&K Magnetic Island Early Childhood Centre
- Rich Relationships and Connections: C&K Port Douglas Community Kindergarten
Mackay
- Authentic Collaborative Partnerships: C&K Rockhampton South Kindergarten
- Professional Inquiry & Reflective Practice: C&K Walkerston Community Kindergarten
Our 2020 Winners
Emeritus Professor Mary Mahoney AO Award for Excellence in Innovation in Curriculum
- C&K Coolum Community Childcare Centre.
South Coast and West Region
- C&K Norfolk Village Community Kindergarten
- C&K Flagstone Community Kindergarten
- C&K Canungra Community Kindergarten
- C&K Durack Community Kindergarten
- C&K Highfields & District Kindergarten
- Central and North Queensland Region
- Happy Valley Community Kindergarten
- C&K Middlemount Community Childcare Centre
- C&K Mossman Community Kindergarten
- C&K Oonoonba Community Kindergarten
- C&K Rowes Bay Community Kindergarten
Metro and North Coast Region
- C&K Arana Hills Community Kindergarten
- C&K QUT Kelvin Grove Community Childcare Centre
- C&K Coolum Community Childcare Centre
- C&K QUT Gardens Point Community Childcare Centre
- C&K Banyo Station Community Childcare Centre
Our 2019 Winners
Education and Care Excellence Award C&K Jinibara Community Kindergarten
This award recognises an individual (or group) who has gone beyond what is expected to lead and/or implement an innovative early education and care program, activity of initiative. This award recognises an individual (or group) who has gone beyond what is expected to lead and/or implement an innovative early education and care program, activity of initiative.
The team at Jinibara collectively view and engage each child as an individual, to make their inner light shine through. They are actively engaged in their broader community, working closely with local health practitioners and surrounding schools to continually reflect on their programs to ensure they are meeting the needs of local children and families. Educators Lisa and Jodie are known to have ‘robust’ pedagogical conversations with their team to constantly reflect on their practices, ensuring they continually grow and develop in leading contemporary education and care programs.
Reconciliation Award, Kylie Goodwin from C&K Marian Community Kindergarten
This award recognises an individual (or group) who has demonstrated exceptional commitment and enactment to reconciliation.
Kylie is passionate about embedding reconciliation in her everyday thinking and practice. Her passion comes from having developed a deep understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. She believes it is essential to embed Indigenous perspectives in her teaching and to do that, has developed relationships with community elders, who are now actively involved with her kindergarten. This includes strong reciprocal relationships with children, families and educators.
Award for Safety and Wellbeing, C&K Kingston Kindergarten
This award recognises the work of an individual or group who provides consistently high standards of safety/wellbeing awareness and practice. Safety relates to every aspect of our work with children and adults alike extending to both physical and emotional safety and wellbeing.
The team at Kingston create an environment where children and families from diverse backgrounds and cultures, feel safe and included. The team have not only considered how their program supports children but adapted the structure and operation of the centre to better support and meet families needs. Kingston works closely with support partners to provide a multidimensional program to meet diverse needs of children from cultural backgrounds and have actively committed and participated in the Queensland government pilot program supporting many children from Refugee and Asylum Seeker backgrounds.
Professional Excellence Award - Belinda Rule from C&K Eimeo Road
This award recognises an individual (or group) who has gone beyond what is expected in demonstrating professional excellence.
The commitment and dedication Belinda brings to her role is outstanding. Since embarking on her early childhood career, she has focussed on creating environments where inclusion of all children and families is paramount. Belinda has developed close supportive referral partnerships with external agencies and worked closely with families experiencing challenges and complexity. Belinda is solutions focussed and always remains calm and supportive. Her professional excellence is demonstrated every day as a strong education and community leader supporting children, families, her education team and the broader community.
Community Leadership Award - Koobara Aboriginal & Islander Family Resources Centre Inc
This award recognises an individual (or group) who has gone beyond what is expected to lead, innovate, advocate or support children, families, community and/or C&K. This award relates to broader connections with community or beyond.
The team at Koobara have been leading strong culturally safe community early childhood education and care programs for many years. They are a community hub with multiple programs and partnerships that extend well beyond the hours of the day. United in community, they are strong advocates and leaders in providing early childhood programs and beyond with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
Emertius Professor Mary Mahoney Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education and Care, Belinda Rule from C&K Eimeo Road
This award is presented to a very high achieving individual or service, who encompasses C&K values and works diligently to achieve key strategic priorities set by C&K. The winner of this award has gained great respect in the community, continues to be innovative in practice and is a role model for all.
Our 2018 Winners
Professor Mary Mahoney Award for Excellence - C&K Bald Hills
This award is presented to a very high achieving individual or service, who encompasses C&K values and who works diligently on a daily basis to achieve the key strategic priorities set by C&K. The winner of this award has gained great respect in the community, continues to be innovative in practice and certainly is a role model when it comes to connecting, collaborating and creating.
C&K Bald Hills are leaders when it comes to inclusion, diversity and advocacy. For the team, the rights of the child are acknowledged and embedded in practice, every day. They are advocates for all children’s right to choose. C&K Bald Hills, led by Deborah Mintern-Lane, continually looks to engage with both the local and professional community.
Award for Service Leadership - Kasey West, C&K Wilston Childcare Centre
This award recognises exemplary leadership by an educator. It showcases efforts that go beyond normal expectations of daily service operation, in order to meet quality outcomes for children, families, educators, service, support professionals, community and greater education sector needs. The award acknowledges innovative solutions and efforts made across the many facets of an early years’ service which combine to enable the service to excel in their service delivery, advocate and lead change and positive create a positive work culture.
Kasey West leads the Birth to Three approach at C&K Wilston and is a mentor and leader to her team, and across C&K, and she is also a member of the Community of Practice for educational leadership. As a leader, Kasey engages in strong reflective practice and interprets the strategic initiatives for her team to put into practice.
Award for Safety Leadership - Highfields & District Community Kindergarten
This award recognises the work of aC&K employee or early years' service who provides consisently high standards of safety awareness and practice. It recongnises the multitude of influences on safety and the dynamic nature in which early years' services function.
The team at C&K Highfields identified that stress and poor health were impacting on their ability to be active, energised educators. Together, they developed their own health and wellness program ‘Play Well, Live Well’. This innovative program resulted in increased strength, flexibility and cardio fitness, giving the educators more energy at work.
Award for the Arts - Bundaberg Collaborative Art Project Team
This award recognises the work of an educator, or group of educators, who have consistently demonstrated high standards of excellence in relation to the arts in early childhood education. The winner of this award will have demonstrated excellence and innovation in arts-based projects/programs, promoting creativity and self-expression.
‘Every child is an artist’ and this collaborative project got children exploring their worlds through art in a unique way, and the Our Town project involved services from right across the Wide Bay region. The project was truly a community effort, involving more than 300 children, and epitomised the spirt that exists in regional communities and the great inspiration that art can bring to our lives
Award for Emerging Educator - Jade Vallecera, C&K Carseldine Community Childcare
This award recognises a C&K educator studying towards an approved early childhood qualification – a person who demonstrates passion and persistence for their professional growth as an early year’s educator. The award celebrates our next generation of educators whose work with children, families, colleagues and community embodies what it means to be part of a C&K service and the Early Childhood profession.
Jade has a strong willingness to step up, taking on many things not expected of her. In just a few years, she has grown from student to kindergarten assistant and now assistant director, demonstrating strong leadership qualities. Jade does a lot of professional development work, often in her own time, weaving that knowledge into her practice, and actioning change at a service level.
Award for Pedagogy and Practice - Bribie Island Community Kindergarten
This award recognises the work of an educator or group of educators providing consistently high standards of education and care and innovative work practices to achieve positive outcomes for children, families and communities. The winner of this award demonstrates sound relationships and a consistent approach in both pedagogy and practice.
C&K Bribie Island has a strong connection to nature, play and community and always strives to do better for children. They’re community activists for causes like wheelchair accessibility of the neighbouring reserve, and the introduction of a yarning circle and signage for indigenous plants in the reserve. They have maintained their ‘Excellent’ rating since 2014.
Award for Inclusive Practice - C&K Bald Hills Community Kindergarten
This award recognises work done by an individual, an educator, or a service to support a child, group of children or family, to recognise and implement strategies to ensure inclusive practice which encompass dignity, equity and respect.
The educators at C&K Bald Hills are advocates for inclusion for every child. Social justice drives everything the team does, and they are active members of the Inclusion Community of Practice. C&K Bald Hills has cultivated relationships with community Elders, Montrose, allied health professionals, musicians and artists. For them, inclusive practice is a team effort, where everyone contributes.
Our 2017 Winners
Professor Mary Mahoney Award for Excellence - C&K Weir
This award is presented to a very high achieving individual or service, who encompasses C&K values and who works diligently on a daily basis to achieve the key strategic priorities set by C&K. The winner of this award has gained great respect in the community, continues to be innovative in practice and certainly is a role model when it comes to connecting, collaborating and creating.
Excellence in Service Leadership - Banks Street Newmarket
This award recognises exemplary leadership by an educator. It showcases efforts that go beyond normal expectations of daily service operation, in order to meet quality outcomes for children, families, educators, service, support professionals, community and greater education sector needs. The award acknowledges innovative solutions and efforts made across the many facets of an early years’ service which combine to enable the service to excel in their service delivery, advocate and lead change and positive create a positive work culture.
Excellence in Safety Leadership - C&K Moura
This award recognises the work of a C&K employee or early years’ service who provides consistently high standards of safety awareness and practice. It recognises the multitude of influences on safety and the dynamic nature in which early years’ services function.
Excellence and Innovation in the Arts - C&K Tewantin
This award recognises the work of an educator, or group of educators, who have consistently demonstrated high standards of excellence in relation to the arts in early childhood education. The winner of this award will have demonstrated excellence and innovation in arts-based projects/programs, promoting creativity and self-expression.
Emerging Educator - Jinneecka Don, Boopa Werem
This award recognises a C&K educator studying towards an approved early childhood qualification – a person who demonstrates passion and persistence for their professional growth as an early year’s educator. The award celebrates our next generation of educators whose work with children, families, colleagues and community embodies what it means to be part of a C&K service and the Early Childhood profession.
Excellence and Innovation in Pedagogy and Practice - Sue Taylor, C&K Flagstone
This award recognises the work of an educator or group of educators providing consistently high standards of education and care and innovative work practices to achieve positive outcomes for children, families and communities. The winner of this award demonstrates sound relationships and a consistent approach in both pedagogy and practice
Excellence in Inclusive Practice - C&K Weir
This award recognises work done by an individual, an educator, or a service to support a child, group of children or family, to recognise and implement strategies to ensure inclusive practice which encompass dignity, equity and respect.
Excellence in Customer Service - Suzan Mahmut, Bayview Heights
This award recognises efforts that go beyond normal expectations of daily service operation in order to meet customers’ needs. The award acknowledges innovative solutions and consistent efforts across the many facets of service delivery which, when combined, provide outstanding outcomes for customers, C&K and the wider education community.
Our 2016 Winners
Emerging Educator of the Year Award - Michelle Bower from C&K Glennie Heights
This award recognises a C&K educator studying towards an approved early childhood qualification - a person who demonstrates passion and persistence for their professional growth as an early year's educator. The award celebrates our next generation of educators whose work with children, families, colleagues and community embodies what it means to be part of a C&K serive and the early childhood profession.
Excellence in Customer Service Award - Alysha Horne, Recruitment Advisor for C&K Central
This award recognises efforts that go above and beyond normal expectations of daily service operation in order to meet customers' needs. The award acknowledges innovative solutions and consistent efforts across the many facets of service delivery which combined provide outstanding outcomes for customers, C&K and the wider education community.
Excellence and Innovation in Service Management Award - Liz Smith, Director of C&K Weipa
This award recognises the work of a director or management committee to ensure the ongonig viability of an early years' service which meets the needs of the community it serves. This award showcases the individual or group's work to ensure legislation and governance requirements are met in consistent and innovative ways and the provision of consistent high standards of education and care for children, families and the community.
Excellence in Safety Leadership Award - C&K Atherton
This award recognises the work of a C&K employee or early years' service who provides consistently high standards of safety awareness and practice. It recognises the multitude of influences on safety and the dynamic nature in which early years' services function.
Excellence in Inclusive Practice Award - C&K Nundah
This award recognises work done by an individual, an educator, or a service to support a child, group of children or family, to recognise and implement strategies to ensure inclusive practices which encompass dignity, equity and respect.
Service Leadership Award - C&K Paddington, C&K Rosalie, C&K Oakleigh
This award recognises exemplary leadership by an educator. It showcases efforts that go beyond normal expectations of daily servie operation in order to meet quality outcomes for children, families, educators, service, support professionals, community and greater education sector needs. The award acknowledges innovative solutions and efforts made across the many facets of an early years' service which combine to enable the service to excel in their service delivery, advocate and lead change and create a positive work cultural.
Emeritus Professor Mary Mahoney AO Excellence Award - C&K Nundah
This award is presented to a very high achieving individual or service, who encompasses C&K values and who works diligently on a daily basis to achieve the key strategic priorites set by C&K. The winner of this award has gained great respect within the community, continues to be innovative in practice and is a role model when it comes to connecting, collaborating and creating.
Excellence and Innovation in Pedagogy and Practice Award - C&K Bribie Island
This award recognises the work of an educator or group of educators providing consistently high standards of education and care and innovative work practices to achieve positive outcomes for children, families and communities. The winner of this award demonstrates sound relationships and a consistent approach in both pedagogy and practice.
2015 Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the 2015 C&K Excellence and Innovation Awards, announced on Friday 22 June 2015.
Excellence and Innovation in Pedagogy and Practice Award - C&K Alma Street, Gympie
This award recognises the work of an educator or group of educators who have provided consistently high standards of education and care and innovative work practices to achieve positive outcomes for children, families and communities. The winner of this award will demonstrate sound relationships and a consistent approach in both pedagogy and practice. They will be consistent in creating an engaging environment for learning at a high standard.
Excellence in Customer Service Award - Tania Holmes from C&K Central
This award recognises efforts that go beyond normal expectations of daily service operation in order to meet customer needs. The award acknowledges innovative solutions and consistent efforts across the many facets of service delivery which, when combined, provide outstanding outcomes for customers, C&K and the wider education and care community.
Emerging Educator Award - Laylee Armstrong from C&K Burketown Community Kindergarten
This award recognises a C&K educator studying towards an approved early childhood qualification with the C&K College of Early Childhood. This person demonstrates a passion and persistence for their professional growth as an early years’ educator. This award celebrates our next generation of educators whose work with children, families and community demonstrates the values of C&K in their everyday work. The educator will have been working within the early years’ sector for 5 years or less.
Service Management Award - Sue O'Brien from C&K Caloundra Community Childcare
This award recognises the work of a Director or Management Committee striving to ensure the ongoing viability of a service and its ability to meet the ongoing needs of the community it serves. The award recognises an individual or group’s work to ensure legislation and governance requirements are met in a consistent and innovative way. The recipient will also demonstrate the provision of consistently high standards of education and care for children, families and community. The award acknowledges the relationship of the service’s management with C&K and other monitoring agencies.
Safety Leadership Award - Will Jones, Early Childhood Advisor for Cairns and Cape York
This award recognises the work of a C&K employee or service providing consistently high standards of safety awareness and practice. It recognises the multitude of influences on safety and the dynamic nature in which early childhood education and care services function. The winner of this award will demonstrate sound safety practices and seek to influence others to establish a strong ‘safety aware’ culture whilst recognising the role of risk awareness and risk taking in early childhood development.
Inclusive Practive Award - C&K Peregian Springs Community Kindergarten
This award recognises work by an individual or service to support a child, group of children or family through the implementation of strategies which ensure inclusive practices encompassing dignity, equity and respect are implemented. The award may recognise teaching programs, community resources and/or completion of capital works that ensure those who face disadvantage are supported to reach their full potential as a result of inclusion within the service.
Service Leadership Award - C&K Bribie Island Community Kindergarten
This award recognises exemplary leadership by an Educator. It showcases efforts that go beyond normal expectations of daily service operation, in order to meet quality outcomes for children, families, educators, services, support professionals, communities and the greater education sector. The award acknowledges innovative solutions and efforts made across the many facets of an early childhood education and care service, which combine to enable the service to excel in service delivery and advocacy and lead change to create a positive work culture.
Professor Mary Mahoney AO Excellence Award - Will Jones
This award acknowledges an individual or service whose dedication, persistence and outstanding performance typifies C&K excellence. It is not necessary to nominate for this award as this is chosen from the pool of award winners.
2014 Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the 2014 C&K Innovation Awards, announced on Friday 6 June 2014.
At C&K, it’s our people that make the difference. Our team members are passionate and dedicated professionals, committed to providing the best quality early childhood education and care.
The annual C&K Innovation Awards are about recognising and showcasing our team members’ outstanding and innovative practices. These actions strive to sustain people, place and culture within early year’s education and care services.
Innovative Service Sustainability - Chicquita Torrielli from C&K Yuingi Community Childcare Centre
This award recognises efforts to create a sustainable service for local communities and future generations. The award showcases ongoing plans by an individual or group to ensure a service is meeting the needs of the community and all legislative requirements, and is financially viable.
Innovation in Transitioning - C&K Lutwyche Windsor Community Kindergarten, C&K Wilston Grange Community Kindergarten and Windsor State School
This award recognises the work done to support a child, family or group of children to successfully transition into and/or out of an early years service. It encompasses work done to engage with the local or broader community. It may include an aspect of supporting a community project or organisation.
Innovation in Inclusive Practices - C&K Coorparoo Community Kindergarten
This award recognises work done by an individual, an educator, or a service to support a child, group of children or family, to recognise and implement strategies to ensure inclusive practices which encompass dignity, equity and respect. The award may include teaching programs, community resources and/or capital works completed to ensure those who face disadvantage are supported as a result of inclusion within the service.
Innovation in Supporting Cultural Understandings - Janette Quince from C&K Oakey Community Kindergarten
This award recognises work by an individual or teaching team to educate about and sustain cultural competence within the service, families and/or local community. It may include work done to acknowledge and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and/or other cultures specific to the service context.
Innovation in Natural and Built Environmental Sustainability - C&K Tewantin Community Childcare Centre
This award recognises work done to increase eco-efficiency, support green business, and/or improve the natural environment. A key feature of this award is the estimated or actual financial and carbon savings due to eco-efficiency measures, as well as the potential for education for sustainability as a result of changes made.
Innovation in Service Leadership - Sandy Willick from C&K Moorooka Community Kindergarten
This award recognises exemplary leadership by an individual or service. It showcases efforts that go beyond normal expectations of daily service operation in order to meet a customer’s need. The award acknowledges innovative solutions and efforts made across the many facets of an early years service.
Adjunct Professor Mary Mahoney AO Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education and Care - C&K Coorparoo Community Kindergarten
The Adjunct Professor Mary Mahoney AO Award is awarded to one of the six category winners of the C&K Innovation Awards.
This award has been designed to showcase the very essence of C&K. It recognises a person or team that embodies the qualities of character outlined in C&K Building waterfalls; has made a significant difference in the lives of a child, family, or community; consistently demonstrates education excellence based on recognised early childhood philosophy and pedagogy; actively engages in community support or community development; creates a service and team culture that consistently seeks education excellence; and enacts the United Nations Convention of the Rights of a Child at a consistently high standard.
2013 Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the 2013 C&K Sustainability Awards.
Child Initiated Sustainability Project Award
This award recognises a child or group of children who have demonstrated significant interest and understanding of sustainability issues
WINNER: 3 year old Henry Devine from C&K Wilston Childcare Centre
Sustainability Eco-Efficiency Award
This award recognises a person or early childhood service which has implemented outstanding eco-efficiency measures into their service
WINNER: C&K Redlands Community Kindergarten
Education for Sustainability Award
This award is designed to recognise an early year educator or education team who demonstrates the philosophy and pedagogy associated with education for sustainability at an excellent standard. Due to the high calibre of entries, C&K presented two services with this award.
WINNER: C&K Chiselhurst Preschool and Kindergarten
WINNER: C&K Napranum Community Preschool and Kindergarten