ECDA Awards
ECDA Awards for Excellence in Early Childhood Development
 | The ECDA Awards recognises exemplary early childhood (EC) infant and early years educators, preschool educators, early intervention (EI) professionals, leaders, as well as preschools that have excelled in teaching and learning and in their innovative practice. |
Nominations for ECDA Awards 2026 are now open!
The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) invites nominations for deserving individuals and preschools for the ECDA Awards 2026. Nominations are to be submitted by operators, HQ personnel or centre leaders. Parents interested in submitting nominations for an educator or preschool may liaise with their child’s preschool. Nominations may be submitted through the following forms:
Individual Awards
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Centre Awards
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Award Categories
Individual Categories (Outstanding and Promising)
Promising / Outstanding Infant Educator and Early Years Educator
This Award recognises the exemplary achievements of Infant Educators (teaching children 2 months to 18 months) and Early Years Educators (teaching children 18 months to 4 years) who are role models in providing high quality early childhood education and care.
Key Criteria
Provides curriculum and pedagogical quality, inclusive practices to support children’s diverse learning and developmental needs, and strong partnerships with families.
Eligibility
- Be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
- In-service at a licensed Early Childhood Development Centre
For Infant Educator:
- ECDA-approved Infant Educator teaching infants aged 2 months to 18 months
- Possess a valid Letter of Notification (LON), e.g EY1/EY2
- Possess relevant early childhood qualifications or State Registered Nurse (SRN) with Early Years Development Framework (EYDF) certification
Promising nominees require 3 to 5 years of trained teaching experience with infants aged 2 months to 18 months. Outstanding nominees require more than 5 years of trained teaching experience.
For Early Years Educator:
- ECDA-approved Early Years Educator teaching children aged >18 months to 4 years
- Possess a valid Letter of Notification (LON), e.g EY2/L1/L2
- Possess relevant early childhood qualifications (e.g., ACEY, ACECCE, DECCE-T or equivalent)
Promising nominees require 3 to 5 years of trained early childhood teaching experience. Outstanding nominees require more than 5 years of trained teaching early childhood experience
There is a time bar of three years for Outstanding winners before the individual can be nominated for the award again.
Promising / Outstanding Preschool Educator Award
This Award recognises the exemplary achievements of Preschool Educators (teaching children 5 years to 6 years) who are role models in delivering high quality early childhood care and education.
Key Criteria
- Provides curriculum and pedagogical quality, inclusive practices to support children’s diverse learning and developmental needs, and strong partnerships with families.
Eligibility
- Be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
- In-service at a licensed Early Childhood Development Centre or MOE Kindergarten
- Teaching children aged 5 years to 6 years
- Approved on One @ ECDA
- Possess a valid L2 Letter of Notification (LON)
- Possess relevant early childhood qualifications (e.g., DECCE-T or equivalent)
Promising nominees require 3 to 5 years of trained early childhood teaching experience. Outstanding nominees require more than 5 years of trained teaching early childhood experience
There is a time bar of three years for Outstanding winners before the individual can be nominated for the award again.
Outstanding / Promising Early Intervention Professional Award
This Award recognises the exemplary achievements of Early Intervention Professionals, who are Early Intervention Educators, Learning Support Educators and Educational Therapy Professionals.
Key Criteria
- Delivers high quality learning support and early intervention support, exemplification of professional behaviours and fostering of strong partnerships with families and the community.
Eligibility
- Be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
- In-service Early Intervention Educator, Learning Support Educator or Educational Therapy Professional whose core job function is to support preschool
- Meet the qualification requirements as stated in the programme service model:
- Early Intervention Educators: To possess a valid Specialist Diploma in Early Childhood Intervention (Special Needs) (SDESN) or relevant qualifications in Special Needs/Early Intervention
- Educational Therapy Professionals and Learning Support Educators: To possess a valid Specialist Diploma in Early Childhood (Learning Support) (SDELS) or relevant degree qualifications in Special Needs/Early Intervention/Early Childhood/Education
- For Early Intervention Educators working in autism: To possess a valid Certificate in Autism (CIA) or Higher Certificate in Autism (HCIA) offered by the Autism Resource Centre (ARC)
Promising nominees require 3 to 5 years of trained experience as an Early Intervention Educator, Learning Support Educator or Educational Therapy Professional.
Outstanding nominees require more than 5 years of trained experience as an Early Intervention Educator, Learning Support Educator or Educational Therapy Professional.
There is a time bar of three years for Outstanding winners before the individual can be nominated for the award again.
Outstanding / Promising Early Childhood Leader Award
This Award recognises the exemplary achievements of early childhood leaders of childcare centres and kindergartens who are role models excelling in organisational, curriculum and collaborative leadership.
Key Criteria
- Exemplification of professional behaviours, curriculum and pedagogical leadership, and ability to lead teams to foster community and family partnerships to positively impact children and families.
Eligibility
- Be a Singapore citizen or a Permanent Resident
- In-service Principal at a licensed Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC) or MOE Kindergarten
- Approved as a Principal on One @ ECDA (employment title on One@ECDA)
- Possesses a valid L2 Letter of Notification (LON)
- Possess relevant early childhood leadership qualification
Promising nominees require 3 to 5 years of trained experience as a Principal in a ECDC or MOE Kindergarten. Outstanding nominees require more than 5 years of trained experience as a Principal in a ECDC or MOE Kindergarten.
There is a time bar of three years for Outstanding winners before the individual can be nominated for the award again.
Centre Categories
Outstanding Centre for Teaching & Learning
This Award recognises Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDCs) with excellent programmes, processes and learning environments that promote outstanding teaching and learning practices, supporting children’s learning, development, and well-being.
These centres are dedicated to delivering high quality early childhood education and care for children.
Key Criteria
Provides inclusive practices supporting children’s diverse learning and developmental needs, collaborative partnerships with families and the community, and delivery of high-quality early childhood education and care.
Eligibility
- Licensed Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC) or MOE Kindergarten
- Have an excellent track record with ECDA and MOE. For ECDCs, minimally a 24-month licence tenure and compliance with the staffing requirements as per the licence tenure
- Appointed Principals are approved and have the relevant early childhood leadership qualifications
There is a time bar of five years for past winners before the centre can be nominated for the award again.
Early Childhood Innovation Award
This Award recognises Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDCs) and Early Intervention organisations that foster a culture of innovation and implement innovative practices which enhance programmes, processes, or services
to benefit children and families.
Key Criteria
Implementation of innovative practices that enhance programmes, processes, or services, including projects promoting inclusive practices to benefit children and families.
Eligibility
- Licensed Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC), MOE Kindergarten or Early Intervention organisation providing programmes that support children 6 years and below
- Have a good track record with ECDA and MOE. For ECDCs, minimally a 12-month licence tenure
- Nominated project must have been implemented in 2025 and completed at the time of submission
Centres on the Roll of Honour for Early Childhood Innovation Mentor Centre will not be eligible to apply for the Award.
Contact
For enquiries regarding the ECDA Awards, you may write to ECDA_Awards@ecda.gov.sg.