Program Highlights

The Prime Minister's Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Education honour outstanding educators who, through their dedication and skill, are giving children an important head start that helps them succeed at school.

• Awards
• Awards Ceremony
• Selection Committee
• Contact Us

Awards

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.

Certificates of Excellence are awarded to the 10 top-ranked nominees, with at least one award designated for each of the following regions: British Columbia; Prairies; Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut; Ontario; Quebec; and Atlantic Canada. In addition, one of the Certificates of Excellence is designated for the top-ranked Aboriginal early childhood educator.

The next 15 top-ranked nominees each receive a Certificate of Achievement. At least one of the Certificates of Achievement is awarded annually to an Aboriginal early childhood educator.

Financial awards are provided directly to recipients. Recipients may use award funds for professional development, equipment, resource materials or other tools to improve developmental programming and children's experiences related to the educator's work.

Recipients receive letters and certificates, signed by the Prime Minister, as well as program pins.

Awards Ceremony

Selection Committee

Award recipients are selected by a committee of early childhood education and care practitioners and stakeholders from across Canada.

Contact Us

For more information about the program and our next competition, call our hotline at 1 800 O-Canada (1 800 622-6232) or e-mail us at (pmaece-ppmepe@ic.gc.ca). Click here to go directly to our "Contact Us" section.