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Nominations for the 2025 awards are now closed. Recipients were announced in November.
Nominations for 2026 will reopen in summer/fall.
Overview
Early childhood educators (ECEs) show resilience and dedication to continue meeting the childcare needs of families in their communities. Every day, working parents rely on their licensed childcare provider so they can go to work or school. This is essential for families and subsequently the economy overall.
The Minister’s Awards of Excellence in Child Development recognize the important work of certified early childhood educators, childcare leaders and providers working in licensed childcare programs who make life better for children and families across Alberta. Nominating these educators, leaders, teams and programs honours excellence in their field. Doing so also celebrates their outstanding work with children in licensed childcare programs across Alberta.
A new leadership category was added in 2025 that recognizes the hard work and dedication of staff in a leadership position within a childcare program. These leaders may not work directly with children but provide support to ECEs on their team.
The 2025 award recipients were announced in November.
Twelve recipients were recognized across 4 categories:
- Individuals – certified ECEs working with children in a licensed program
- Teams – a team of 2 to 4 certified ECEs working with children in a licensed program
- Programs – a licensed childcare program where certified ECEs work directly with children
- Leadership (new for 2025) – a leader supporting certified early childhood professionals in a licensed program
Eligibility
Eligible applicants
Anyone can nominate certified ECEs, leaders, teams and licensed programs for an award. The nominees must:
- live and work in Alberta
- not be a member of the Awards Selection Committee
- be in good standing
Eligible programs
Eligible programs are facility-based and home-based childcare programs licensed by the Government of Alberta, including:
- daycare
- preschool
- out-of-school care
- family day home educators and agencies
- group family childcare
How to apply
Nominations for the 2025 awards are now closed. Recipients were announced in November.
Award recipients
For the 2025 awards, the Alberta government received 100 nominations from across the province. Congratulations to the award winners and nominees. The names of past award recipients are listed below.
Contact
Connect with the program if you have questions about the Minister’s Awards of Excellence in Child Development:
Email: [email protected]
Related
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Funding for working ECEs