Goodstart recognises excellence and impact at 2025 National Goodies awards

Goodstarters from across the nation gathered to celebrate best practice at the 2025 National Goodies awards this week.

Goodstart’s Goodies program is both a state and national annual reward and recognition initiative that celebrates the exceptional contributions of our people in shaping young lives, while enriching families and communities we proudly live and work. The awards highlight innovation, dedication, and a passion for creating positive learning experiences for children.  

Following another record-breaking year of nominations across the nation, the National Goodstart Goodies Awards recognised 14 Goodstart centres and individuals receiving national awards in recognition of their impactful work. Their achievements have set new benchmarks for excellence in delivering the very best outcomes for children, families and communities that has made a positive difference in the lives of children, families and communities.

This year, winners of key categories, including Educator of the Year, Educational Leader of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Rising Star, Goodstarter of the Year, Enabling Environments Excellence (teacher-qualified Goodstarter), and CSO Goodstarter of the Year were awarded an incredible opportunity: a ticket to Goodstart’s third international professional learning experience – a study tour reflecting on Next Practice. This groundbreaking international study tour is designed to explore world class early learning practices and bring fresh insights back to Goodstart’s Australian centres.

Learn more about each of the National Goodstart Goodies winners below.

Congratulations to the 2025 National Goodies Awards Winners: 

Champion of Safety, Health & Wellbeing

Goodstart Darch

Goodstart Darch exemplifies excellence in health, safety and wellbeing, creating a deeply embedded culture of care. Child-led safety guidelines, protective behaviours education and strong family engagement ensure every voice is heard. Educator wellbeing is prioritised through dedicated spaces, open communication and mental health support. Safety Champion Riddhi and Child Protection Advocate Alma lead with passion, driving ongoing improvement. With initiatives from water safety education to their own Goodies Awards Night, Darch has built a centre where safety is lived, celebrated and shared every single day.

Reconciliation in Action

Goodstart Doncaster East

Goodstart Doncaster East is committed to and has demonstrated inclusive and culturally respectful environment that celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They have implemented Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in collaboration with Community, Families and First Nations people with a focus on strengthening relationships to embedding First Nations perspectives in a genuine way.   Through working with their community, they have taken on their advice and worked on and implemented, Professional Development by delivering training for all staff on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures including local training and also participated in Goodstart’s internal Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Community of Practice.  They have Incorporated authentic First Nations resources, stories, and practices into learning spaces creating enabling environments. Overall, the centre prioritises authentic, community-driven reconciliation efforts embedded into everything they do to advance reconciliation.  The are now presenting and sharing with other Centres in the State to help them on their reconciliation journey.   

Family and Community Partnership Excellence

Goodstart Nundah

Goodstart Nundah excels in building strong community connections and responding to local needs. The centre partners with key organisations, including the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Clinic and the NDIS, to promote inclusion and support families with complex challenges. Collaboration with local schools ensures smooth transitions for children, while engagement through the Family Committee empowers families to contribute to decision-making. A standout initiative is the centre’s partnership with the Women’s Shelter, providing stability and support for children during temporary stays. Clear referral pathways and access to parenting and allied health programs further demonstrate Nundah’s deep commitment to community and care.

Making a Difference

Goodstart Taree

In the face of devastating floods, the team embodied resilience, compassion and true community spirit – ensuring children and families remained safe, supported and connected. They offered extra care positions for vulnerable children, provided food and essential supplies, and worked alongside community services and allied health professionals to meet local needs. Despite the crisis, they maintained a high standard of education and care, creating opportunities for children to learn about empathy, resilience and community. Their unwavering commitment to inclusion, diversity and wellbeing reflects the very heart of Goodstart – putting children, families and communities first.

Enabling Environments Excellence

Goodstart Burleigh Waters

Goodstart Burleigh Waters has been awarded the Enabling Environments Excellence Award for its visionary approach, where every space inspires learning. Committed to excellence across all four practice uplift areas, the team has created a nurturing, language-rich environment that celebrates curiosity and connection. Through intentional teaching, strong Key Educator Relationships, and reflective practice, children from birth to five are empowered to thrive. Achieving stretch QRS results in 2025, the centre’s philosophy-driven, nature-connected approach—grounded in Reggio Emilia principles—positions the environment as the third teacher, turning every moment into an opportunity for growth, discovery, and belonging.

Rising Star

Hannah Fowler, Educator – Goodstart Burleigh Waters 

Hannah Fowler, an educator at Goodstart Burleigh Waters, has shown remarkable initiative and growth. She developed a centre-wide sustainability program, led the creation of a collaborative Acknowledgement of Country book, and pioneered the Sibling Connection Project. Actively pursuing professional development, she is recognised for fostering inclusion, environmental awareness, and strong relationships. Her leadership by example has significantly enriched the centre’s learning environment and is celebrated by colleagues, children, and families.

Goodstart Educator of the Year

Asuka Kirby, Senior Educator – Goodstart Toowoomba Glenvale Road 

Asuka’s environments and Teaching strategies have consistently been of an excellent quality and standard.   Her environments are made with children, for children, and feature recycled and upcycled materials based from children's interests and backgrounds.  Her room demonstrates at least 4-5 interest areas at any one time that are complete with child voice, child made props, books, artwork creations, child photos participating in the learning and also include concepts of maths, literacy and science.   Educators like Aska Kirby remind us of the transformative power of passion in early learning. As a senior educator, Aska weaves her love for art into everyday experiences, creating opportunities for children to explore, connect, and express themselves.  

Goodstart Educational Leader of the Year

Stefany Joseph, Educational Leader – Goodstart Tapping 

The words that come to mind when trying summarising Stefany is that she “Does whatever it takes!” She brings whatever is needed at the time, which is not limited to humour, understanding, patience, advocating for children, families and educators, adapting to change, inspiring others to reach their potential. Stefany endeavours to bring all the puzzle pieces of education together to make a difference at Goodstart Tapping. Stefany is passionate about early childhood education and care. She is eager to share her knowledge and experiences, while also eager to hear from others and learn from them. Stefany’s leadership style is a mixture of transformational, instructional and servant approaches. She adapts her leadership styles to the varying personalities and needs of her colleagues. Stefany aspires to be inspiring and motivate other through empowering those around her or using mentoring and coaching to support and create a positive, collaborative learning approach.

Goodstart Teacher of the Year 

Kate Platten, Teacher – Goodstart Port Road (Cheltenham) 

Kate is a teacher whose leadership, innovation, and heart have transformed not just her learning space she works in —but the entire centre and beyond. From leading her team through a successful reassessment to mentoring educators across the country, Kate Platten exemplifies what it means to be a teacher who uplifts others. Her work with the ACC tool and Quality Rating Scales has reshaped learning environments, empowered educators, and ensured every child receives tailored, inclusive support. Kate’s impact reaches nationally presenting for Thriving Teachers, mentoring centre directors, and inspiring educators with her thoughtful, intentional teaching. Her warmth and dedication are felt in every interaction, every learning space, and every child’s journey.

Early Learning Leadership Award

Kelly Webster, Centre Director – Goodstart Fernvale 

Kelly Webster is a resilient, heart-led leader who rebuilt Fernvale after two devastating floods. She restored community confidence, strengthened her team, and reignited centre reputation. Reopening at just 6.8% occupancy, Kelly has driven growth toward 90%, maintained ideal staffing, and achieved a 100% NPS - exemplifying outstanding business leadership with purpose and care.

Goodstarter of the Year (CSO)

Miroslava Ivanova – Intensive Support Partner (VIC North)

Miroslava has worked closely with Goodstart Echuca - three hours from her home - for the past 18 months, spending most weeks on site to support the Centre Leadership team and educators. Her commitment has helped the centre shift from a working towards space to stronger practice, improved compliance, deeper child-safe understanding and more meaningful family partnerships. Having supported Centre Directors and teachers to build capability, she leads with compassion and a steadfast belief that every decision should centre on what’s best for children.

CSO Team of the Year

Corporate Affairs, Communications and Partnerships

This year, the Corporate Affairs, Communications and Partnerships Team navigated some of the most complex issues Goodstart has ever faced. Their expertise guided the organisation through safeguarding investigations, high-profile media events, emergency responses and state inquiries – ensuring accurate, timely and credible communication. They’ve strengthened centre confidence, shaped public perception, and upheld Goodstart’s commitment to transparency and child safety. Whether responding to crises or elevating major milestones like our 15-year anniversary, they’ve been a trusted anchor supporting every part of the organisation.

Goodstarter of the Year (Centre)

Feny Belinda, Centre Cook - Goodstart Melbourne 

Centre Cook Feny, lives and breathes Goodstart values and oozes commitment to the children, families and staff in everything she does. As Goodstart Melbourne’s chef and educator, she opens the Centre every day without fail and ensures it is beautifully set up for the families as soon as they drop their children off. Feny caters for a diverse community and implements many different cultural recipes to create an inclusive environment. This year she put her hand up to be Safety Champion and support the staff and Centre with daily health and safety tasks, monthly meetings and speaking on her knowledge at staff meetings. In early June the team received an excellence award Food Hygiene Australia demonstrating Feny’s commitment to the Centre, Families and children.

Goodstart Centre of the Year

Goodstart Shell Cove

Goodstart Shell Cove is at the peak of its quality journey, achieving Exceeding in all seven Quality Areas in July. With a clear plan for continued growth and steps underway toward an Excellence journey, the team shines through strong safety culture, reflective practice, and a deep focus on staff wellbeing. Consistently above occupancy and labour targets, they share their expertise widely, with CD Susy mentoring peers and presenting across the state. Every educator is committed to children’s learning, community connection, and continuous improvement.