Ottawa, Ontario
7 October 2014
The Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Education have honoured outstanding early childhood educators since 2002, with over 200 early childhood educators honoured to date. The awards recognize outstanding early childhood educators for their leadership, exemplary education practices, success in fostering the early development and socialization of the children in their care, and their help in building the foundation children need to meet life's challenges.
Early childhood educators are eligible for two awards: the Certificate of Excellence (a national-level award) and the Certificate of Achievement (a regional-level award). The Certificate of Excellence carries a cash prize of $5,000, whereas the Certificate of Achievement carries a cash prize of $1,000. National-level awards are shared equally between the recipients and their early childhood education (ECE) setting while regional-level awards are given solely to the recipient. Funds may be used for professional development, equipment, resource materials or other tools to improve developmental programming and children's experiences related to the educator's work.
Those receiving national-level awards were invited to Ottawa to participate in best practice sessions, as well as attend a private event hosted by Prime Minister Stephen Harper who presented their certificates of excellence. Regional-level award winners are honoured at school or community events where local Members of Parliament present recipients with a certificate on behalf of the Prime Minister. The recipient’s childcare setting also receives a certificate recognizing its support of, and contribution to, the educator’s achievement. All recipients are presented with a pin, a certificate signed by the Prime Minister and a financial award.
There were 15 Excellence in Early Childhood Education Awards (five national and ten regional) being awarded this year to 19 recipients, including three teams. Of these, one early childhood educator received a designated award for outstanding Aboriginal early childhood educators (national award).
The Prime Minister’s Awards are considered Canada’s top honour for early childhood educators. Recipients are chosen through a rigorous selection process. Each nomination package is reviewed by the program’s selection committee, which is comprised of representatives of major ECE stakeholders from across the country, including learning institutions, ECE associations, provincial and territorial governments, and other related organizations.
Provided standards of excellence are met, awards are designated for each of the following regions: British Columbia, the Prairies, the North (Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut), Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada.
The awards are administered by Industry Canada on behalf of the Prime Minister and in partnership with Employment and Social Development Canada, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada.
For more information about the program, please visit the Prime Minister’s Awards website at: www.pma-ppm.gc.ca.
