Miki Ninness of Denison Street Early Learning, Tamworth is a finalist in the Rising Star of the Year category along with Natalie Rich of St Peters Preschool, Armidale with Melanie White, also from St Peters Preschool in Armidale a finalist in the Educator of the Year category in the Australian Family Early Education and Care Awards. 

They are among 26 finalists from NSW and the ACT and 100 finalists from across the country.

The Rising Star category is for those who have worked in early childhood for five years or less.

Ms Ninness said she was very proud of the finalist placing.

“It just reassures us all that we are doing a good job here at Denison Street,” she said.

“It also means that obviously the families are happy and the early childhood learning people are happy with what we’re doing.”

The educator said that she loved the children, which was why she entered the profession.

“I love watching them grow and learn,” she said.

“I don’t particularly love watching them move onto big school, but that’s part of it.”

The awards celebrate and acknowledge commitment, hard work and passion by outstanding leaders and services in the community. 

 Each finalist now has to demonstrate their achievements in practice and commitment to five key areas aligned with ACECQA’s National Quality Standard, which include improving the wellbeing of the children, improving the children’s program, improving the early childhood service, ongoing professional learning and development and improving inclusive interactions and partnerships with families.  The state winners are announced on June 8 with national winners of each category announced on Friday, June 19 and will share in more than $75,000 in prizes including $40,000 in training and professional development grants.