A big round of applause for Natalie McDougall from C&K Slade Point Community Kindergarten, the winner of the Winc Education Playful Pedagogy Award! Natalie won this award for the extraordinary introduction of Edgar, a beloved puppet who teaches children tools for self-regulation and has inspired new sparks of creativity for educators and teachers at the centre 🌟 Edgar transformed from a simple teaching tool into a central part of the centre’s program, helping children calm down, engage better, and arrive excited for kindergarten. Edgar’s success also saw the implementation of "Edgar's Kindness Wall", documenting acts of kindness on heart-shaped notes, and "Edgar's Letterbox", allowing children to leave drawings and notes for Edgar. The magic didn't stop at kindergarten. When prep students at nearby Slade Point Primary School struggled with their transition to "big school," Edgar stepped in to help for a day. The impact was so remarkable that every prep, grade 1, and grade 2 classroom is now getting its own Edgar puppet! This success has sparked a partnership where primary school teachers visit the kindergarten weekly to learn creative, play-based teaching practices. A fantastic outcome, well done Natalie (and Edgar!) 🏆👏 Congratulations also to our other incredible finalists: • Atherton Community Kindergarten, for embracing play as something that can be both planned and spontaneous in their programming, as shown through initiatives like the Kindy Zoo, children’s exploration of personal challenges and risky play. • Inala Community Kindergarten, for the creation of their clay studio and program, and their intentional, extensive planning to support children to engage deeply with this medium and explore how it serves them as a form of communication. #LoveCAndK #LearningThroughPlay #CAndKConference2025 #CAndKAwards2025 #Celebrate #Recognise #EarlyChildhoodEducationAndCare (fb)

Let’s hear it for Rebecca Walsh from Bayview Kindergarten Association, the winner of the Winc Education Curious Mindset Award. Rebecca won this award for her attentive and innovative nurturing of children’s curiosity with over a decade of creative programming that has explored themes of sustainability and Connection to Country 🏆 Rebecca’s responsive approach listens to children's voices and supports their development as active environmental advocates in their community. When children expressed concern about rubbish on the foreshore, Rebecca didn't just support their sign-making; she helped them create videos, connect with local councillors, and share their message across community platforms. This approach led to the local Environmental Education Centre and Library showcasing the children's artwork, spreading the word about what young children can do when their agency is respected. In 2024, Rebecca took a significant professional leadership step by joining the C&K Metro North Coast's Community of Practice, delving into Global Citizenship. This decision reflected her commitment to ongoing professional development and supported the creation of a large-scale project building on the decade of previous work. Incredible work, Rebecca! 👏🎉 Congratulations to our other amazing finalists: • The team from C&K Moranbah Community Kindergarten, for their powerful practice in agency that saw children explore their feelings about changes to local play spaces and attend the Council Chambers to present their ideas directly to the Isaac Regional Mayor. • The team from C&K The Range Community Kindergarten, for their meaningful approach to introducing media literacy in an early childhood classroom and supporting children to build confidence, agency and digital fluency in a developmentally appropriate way. #LoveCAndK #LearningThroughPlay #CAndKConference2025 #CAndKAwards2025 #Celebrate #Recognise #EarlyChildhoodEducationAndCare (fb)