2025 FLAEYC Awards
Celebrating Early Childhood Education Excellence!
Nominate a deserving leader, educator or advocate for FLAEYC’s 2025 Annual Awards!
About Nominations
The nominations not only honor the accomplishments of these outstanding individuals but also serve as a source of inspiration for aspiring talents.
The award(s) will be presented during the FLAEYC Conference, October 17 – 19 at the Omni Championsgate, Kissimmee, FL.
Nominations open May 12th and end June 20th.
Please note that each nomination requires additional documentation. Be sure to gather additional documentation and expect to spend at least 20 minutes completing the application.
Applications missing the required documentation will not be reviewed.
Barbara Finck Leadership Award
This honor is awarded to FLAEYC members who have provided superior and outstanding leadership and dedication to FLAEYC’s mission and organization as well as to their local community over the years. This award recognizes the excellent leadership of Mrs. Barbara Finck who served as the first President of FACUS in 1956 and as President of SACUS in 1960-62.
Please remember that current FLAEYC Board Members are not eligible for this award.
Florida Early Childhood Educator of the Year
FLAEYC and The Children’s Movement have established this award program to recognize excellence across multiple roles in the Early Childhood Education field. Individual awards will be given to outstanding Florida educators in the following categories: infant/toddler educators, preschool educators, VPK educators, K–3rd grade educators, and family home childcare providers. Nominees must be nominated by a current FLAEYC member and demonstrate a strong commitment to FLAEYC’s mission of ensuring all children have access to high-quality early childhood education, as well as a dedication to continued professional development.
Advocate of the Year
FLAEYC recognizes that early childhood education professionals are everyday advocates for their children, families, communities, and the early education field. At its core, advocacy is about lifting voices in support of or defending a person, group, or cause. Therefore, we have established the Advocate of the Year Award as a means of recognizing and honoring Early Childhood Advocates making a significant difference in the lives of children, their families, and educators. This awardee should be able should demonstrate evidence of ongoing advocacy efforts for children, early childhood teachers and families at the local and/or state level.
Flaeyc Local Leader of the Year
Each year the FLAEYC works with the local Chapters and Statewide Chapters to honor members who stand out in our field. The recipients of this award are individuals dedicated to the work they do and inspire others to be the best they can be in the field of early childhood education.
Florida Early Childhood Director of the Year
The Early Childhood Director of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding leader in the field of early childhood education who exemplifies excellence in program administration, visionary leadership, and an unwavering commitment to high-quality early learning environments.