ECEC awards finalists highlight excellence across large and small providers

The announcement of this year's Excellence in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Awards finalists has revealed an inspiring picture of quality, innovation and dedication across the sector, with organisations of all sizes earning recognition for their contribution to children, families and communities.

Among the standout performers this year are Little Zak's Academy, Next Generation Kindergarten and Milieu Early Education and Care, which together secured the highest number of finalist placements across the awards program.

Little Zak's Academy led the field with an impressive 23 finalist appearances across service, educational, leadership and people-focused categories. The achievement reflects the significant work being undertaken across the organisation's network of centres.

Speaking with sector colleagues, there is a strong sense that the recognition is no accident. Little Zak's Academy has spent recent months focusing on strengthening culture and reconnecting with the family-oriented values that have underpinned its growth and success.

"The team has been working incredibly hard to bring back that family feeling across the centres," one Approved Provider shared. "To see that reflected in the number of finalist nominations is rewarding for everyone involved."

Following closely behind was Next Generation Kindergarten with 20 finalist placements. The organisation's nominations span a diverse range of categories including children's wellbeing, inclusivity, multicultural programs, training, leadership and service excellence.

The breadth of recognition demonstrates a commitment not only to quality educational outcomes, but also to fostering inclusive and supportive environments for children, families and educators.

Rounding out the top three is Milieu Early Education and Care, which secured 14 finalist nominations across its Condell Park and Oak Flats services. Milieu's recognition includes categories such as Partnerships with Families, Children's Safety, Food and Nutrition, Inclusivity Practices, Environmental Programs, Team Excellence and Children's Outcomes.

What makes the achievements of both Next Generation Kindergarten and Milieu Early Education and Care particularly noteworthy is that they are comparatively small service groups operating alongside some of the sector's largest providers.

In an environment where larger organisations often have access to greater resources and wider networks, the success of these smaller groups demonstrates that excellence is not determined by size. Rather, it is driven by vision, leadership, culture and an unwavering commitment to quality outcomes for children and families.

The finalist results also reflect a broader trend emerging across the early childhood sector. Services are increasingly being recognised not only for educational excellence, but also for their ability to foster strong relationships with families, support staff wellbeing, embrace inclusion and diversity, promote environmental sustainability and contribute positively to their communities.

As the sector prepares to celebrate at the upcoming awards gala, the achievements of all finalists serve as a reminder of the extraordinary work taking place in early childhood services every day.

Whether operating a single service, a small group of centres or a large organisation, this year's finalists have demonstrated that excellence in early childhood education and care comes from a shared commitment to children, families and continuous improvement.

Congratulations to all finalists on their well-deserved recognition and for the positive impact they continue to make across the sector.