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. |
When to Nominate
Nominations for ECDA Awards are now closed.
The next nomination window will open in the first quarter of 2026.
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 of the Award include the quality of their curriculum and pedagogical practices and fostering of strong partnerships that positively impact children and families.
Eligibility
For Infant Educator:
- Teaching 2 months to 18 months
- Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Working at licensed Early Childhood Development Centre or MOE Kindergarten
- Approved by ECDA or MOE
- Holds a valid Letter of Notification (e.g EY2, EY1, etc) and required early childhood qualifications
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:
- Teaching >18 months to 4 years
- Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Working at licensed Early Childhood Development Centre or MOE Kindergarten
- Approved by ECDA or MOE
- Holds a valid Letter of Notification (e.g L2, L1, EY1, etc) and required early childhood qualifications
Promising nominees require 3 to 5 years of trained teaching experience with children aged >18 months to 4 years. Outstanding nominees require more than 5 years of trained teaching experience children aged >18 months to 4 years.
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 of the Award include the quality of their curriculum and pedagogical practices and fostering of strong partnerships that positively impact children and families.
Eligibility
- Teaching 5 to 6 years
- Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Working at licensed Early Childhood Development Centre or MOE Kindergarten
- Approved by ECDA or MOE
- Holds a valid Letter of Notification (L2) and required early childhood qualifications
Promising nominees require 3 to 5 years of trained teaching experience with children 5 to 6 years. Outstanding nominees require more than 5 years of trained teaching experience with children 5 to 6 years.
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 of the Award includes 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
- Principal of a licensed Early Childhood Development Centre or MOE Kindergarten
- Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Approved by ECDA or MOE
- Holds a valid Letter of Notification (L2) and required early childhood qualifications
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.
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 include the ability to deliver high quality learning support and early intervention support, exemplification of professional behaviours and fostering of strong partnerships with families and the community.
Eligibility
- Early Intervention Educator, Learning Support Educator or Educational Therapy Professional whose core job function is to support preschool children (ages 6 and below) with developmental needs
- Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Deployed to an ECDA-funded programme (EIPIC/EIPIC-P), Inclusive Support Programme (InSP), Development Support-Learning Support (DS-LS)
- Holds a valid letter of appointment from organisation employed with and required qualification
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.
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.
Eligibility
- Licensed Early Childhood Development Centre or MOE Kindergarten
- Meets staff-child ratio requirements and have an appointed Principal
- Excellent track record (e.g 24-month licence tenure)
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 Providers providing ECDA-funded programmes that foster a culture of innovation and implement innovative practices which enhance programmes, processes, or services to benefit children and families.
Eligibility
- Licensed Early Childhood Development Centre, MOE Kindergarten or providing ECDA-funded Early Intervention Programme (EIPIC/EIPIC-P), Inclusive Support Programme (InSP), Development Support-Learning Support (DS-LS) supporting children 6 years and below
- For Early Childhood Development Centres: Minimally a 12-month licence tenure
- Nominated projects must have been implemented the year before 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.