2025 Excellence Awards

To honor and recognize the work of dedicated early childhood professionals over the last year, the Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Conference is proud host the 4th annual RMECC Excellence Awards! The Excellence Awards are an opportunity for all conference participants to nominate the candidates YOU think best demonstrate the accomplishments, innovation, and resolve of outstanding early childhood professionals.

One winner in each category will receive a $500 cash prize!

Click Here to Nominate

Who can be nominated:

All nominees must be a child care center or preschool director, administrator, or teacher; family child care provider; or family, friend, or neighbor child care provider.

Many early childhood professionals who work in funding, systems building, or other support areas of the industry have various awards they're eligible for throughout their careers. There are not as many awards for the professionals who work in the buildings where care happens each day, which is why RMECC focuses on these ECE professionals for the awards.

Process, timing and logistics:

Nominations will be open until January 31, 2025. After nominations close, the RMECC program committee will review all nominations and select the winners. RMECC will reach out to the winners by February 21st to allow them time to register if they are able to attend. Winners will be announced to the public and recognized at the award ceremonies on Thursday, March 6 (Innovative Program Implementation and Champion of Inclusive Practices) and Friday, March 7th (Advancement of Early Childhood Education and Lifetime Achievement in Early Childhood Education) before the morning keynote.

Award winners will get one free full event (2 day) attendance pass to the conference and a guest pass to the award ceremony and keynote they are being honored at, as well as $500 that will be sent to them after the event.

Award Categories

Innovative Program Implementation: Recognizes individuals or organizations that have introduced creative and effective teaching methods or initiatives, setting a standard for innovation in early childhood education.
Champion of Inclusive Practices: Honors individuals or organizations committed to creating inclusive environments that address diversity and equity, ensuring all children and families feel valued and supported.
Advancement of Early Childhood Education: Highlights outstanding leaders who have made significant contributions to advancing early childhood education through advocacy, mentorship, or program development.
Lifetime Achievement in Early Childhood Education: Honors an individual's long-standing commitment to the field over the course or their career, and their significant contributions to the industry through one or more of the following: teaching practices, leadership, advocacy, mentorship, and collaboration that will leave a lasting legacy.