Home Road Kindergarten in Newport is a finalist in the 2025 Victorian Early Years Awards.
The kinder is one of three finalists for the Emeritus Professor Collette Tayler Excellence in Educational Leadership Award. The award recognises an educational leader, early childhood service, or an approved service provider that has led their educators and teachers to significantly improve the quality of their learning and teaching practices.
Centre manager Carly Conlan said the nomination reflects her staff’s commitment to doing things differently.
“The really big change that we made was something that evolved over time and came with our learning of trauma-informed practice, and that was to put relationships at the core of everything we do. We recognise that children need safe and consistent adults to take a genuine interest in them and their opinions. We slow things down and really take time to focus on just being with children,” Ms Conlan explained.
“We run an art program for our four-year-olds with an exhibition currently on display at the Newport Community Hub. And for our families, we run a free Circle of Security parenting group as well as coordinate regular OT drop-in sessions. But the thing that a lot of people tell us they love the most about HRK is the homely and calm feeling when they visit. The service has been operating on the quiet suburban street for over 60 years. The children and families who come to us know that they will be greeted each day by educators they know well.”
In nominating Home Road Kindergarten, which has 14 staff and 137 children, as a finalist, judges made special mention of its Kinder on Country program, which brings First Nations perspectives into all areas of teaching, as well as the centre’s outdoor programs in the bush and at the beach.
The winners will be announced on 6 November.
