Exemplary Practices 2008

About the Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Education

The Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Education honour outstanding and innovative early childhood educators who excel at fostering the early development and socialization of the children in their care, and at helping build the foundation children need to meet life's challenges. The awards are administered by Industry Canada on behalf of the Prime Minister and in partnership with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Health Canada.

The selection committee is comprised of early childhood education and care practitioners and stakeholders. Together, they evaluate applications based on clear evidence that nominees have excelled in the following four areas:

• Support of child development;
• Innovation;
• Involvement with parents, families and the community; and
• Commitment and leadership in the field.

To be eligible for an award, educators must work a minimum of 2.5 days a week providing direct education and care to young children in a licensed early childhood education setting (as defined by provincial or territorial government regulations).

This requirement is waived for nominees who work in Aboriginal Head Start sites on and off reserve or in early childhood education settings on reserve in circumstances in which there is no applicable provincial or territorial government licensing.

Nominees may receive one of two awards: the Certificate of Excellence or the Certificate of Achievement. At least one of the Certificates of Excellence and Certificates of Achievement are awarded annually to Aboriginal early childhood educators. All recipients receive a certificate from the Prime Minister and a financial award that 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.

Certificate of Excellence recipients travel to Ottawa where they participate in best practice sessions, and receive their award certificates at a special event. Certificate of Achievement recipients are honoured at local events involving children, supervisors, colleagues and local members of Parliament or local leaders, as appropriate.