Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Education

The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of the early years of children’s lives. The educators who partner with parents to teach and nurture young children in those years have an impact that will last for the rest of the children’s lives.

That is why 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.

On the occasion of World Teachers’ Day held on October 5, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced, during a ceremony in Ottawa, the names of the 84 recipients of the 2009 Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence and Excellence in Early Childhood Education. For the first time this year, awards were presented to give specific recognition for excellence among Aboriginal teachers working at schools on-reserve.

Award recipients are selected by an external selection committee comprised of early childhood education experts from across Canada. These experts select recipients based on their innovative approaches and outstanding ability to engage and support the development of children in their care, and on their overall commitment to the development of children and the early childhood education and care profession. Nominees are judged on their overall merits as educators.

Up to 25 awards for Early Childhood Education (10 national and 15 local) are available each year. The program also includes designated awards for Aboriginal early childhood educators. Winners receive certificates and cash awards worth up to $5,000 (shared equally between the winning educators and their childcare setting) for the Certificate of Excellence and $1,000 for the Certificate of Achievement.

The Government of Canada has increased federal investments for early childhood development and child care, to the highest level in Canadian history. In total, the Government of Canada will provide $5.9 billion in 2009-2010 in support of early learning and child care through transfers, direct spending and tax measures for families.

For more information about the program, please visit the Prime Minister’s Awards website at www.pma.gc.ca.