Providing high-quality early learning and child care is one of the best ways to empower families and help children achieve lifelong success. That is why, since 2008, Alberta’s government has held the Minister’s Awards of Excellence in Child Development, which recognizes outstanding child development professionals and child-care programs.
These awards recognize exceptional early childhood educators who are engaging their communities, offering innovative programming and demonstrating excellence in their field. In 2025, Alberta added a new award category for child-care leaders who do not work directly with children but provide invaluable support to those who do.
2025 award recipients
Minister of Education and Childcare Demetrios Nicolaides is honouring the recipients of 12 awards across four categories:
Individuals
Certified early childhood educators working with children in a licensed program
- Nicole Rupprecht
- Nina Kleile
- Amanjot Kaur
Teams
A team of two to four certified early childhood educators working with children in a licensed program
- Evergreen Child Care
- Shining Start Daycare
- Walden Child Care
Programs
A licensed child-care program where certified early childhood educators work directly with children
- Imagination Tree Childcare Centre
- Little Beginnings Oasis Childcare Centre
- Taiyo Early Childhood Education Centre
Leadership
A leader supporting certified early childhood professionals in a licensed program
- Hardeep Kaur
- Sibyl Ko
- Deanna Mendoza
Quick facts
- Alberta.ca includes full lists of award recipients going back to 2008.