Nominate for the 2017 Victorian Early Years Awards before they close on 15 May.
The awards recognise the crucial work early childhood professionals do for Victorian children and their families.
The outstanding work being done to improve the health, learning, development and wellbeing of Victorian children and their families will be recognised at a ceremony at the National Gallery of Victoria in October.
There are five categories — Improving Access and Participation in Early Learning; Supporting Parents to Build Their Capacity and Confidence; Creating Collaborative Community Partnerships; Promoting Children's Health and Wellbeing and Early Childhood Teacher of the Year.
The prize money for each award is between $10,000 and $15,000.
Winners can use the prize money to either further develop and share the learnings from their approaches and to support their professional development goals.
Meagan Hull, from Bentons Square Kindergarten in Mornington, was named the 2016 Early Childhood Teacher of the Year in recognition of her leadership and work with pre-schoolers with additional needs.
Ms Hull said she was honoured and saw the award as an acknowledgement of the achievements of her entire team.
The award for supporting parents to build their capacity and confidence went to Hume City Council's Family Early Learning Partnership program.
The program brings together child development and family support workers to help parents build their skills and create deeper, more positive connections with their children.
Maternal and child health nurse, Gayle Brandellero, said at the awards night "We hope that with the money that we've won tonight that we can help to spread that further and perhaps not just in our community but outside of Hume as well."
If you are a dedicated early childhood professional making a difference for Victorian families and their children, we invite you to nominate yourself or your organisation's program for the 2017 Victorian Early Years Awards.
Entering is easy, see:
Victorian Early Years Awards and nominate online.
Nominations close May 15.