Our Affinity Values Awards turned virtual this year, with our nationwide community of centres dialing in – as well as our valued sponsors.  

“Celebrating the achievements of our people and teams is very important to us – especially after the challenges we have faced together in 2020”, said CEO, Tim Hickey. 

“With so many outstanding centres across the country, choosing the winners for each category was a tough task – but of course, there can be only one winner!” 

6 award categories were presented this year – including Values Awards, Excellence Awards, Individual Educator Awards, State Manager’s Choice, CEO’s Choice, and the coveted Centre Manager of the Year. 

“We are so proud of the talent at Affinity Education, and these awards were a small way to say thank you and recognise the outstanding people and teams delivering early childhood education and care”, continued Tim. 

“A sincere thank you also to our sponsors and suppliers who supported the Affinity Awards this year. We are proud to have such strong partnerships.” 

See 2020 Affinity Award Winners below 

Values Award Winners 

Being Completely Connected Award – Papilio Early Learning Box Hill, Victoria 

Going Above and Beyond Award – Milestones Early Learning Lakes Entrance, Victoria 

Going Above and Beyond Award – Kids Academy Warnervale, New South Wales 

Living the Team Spirit Award – Milestones Early Learning Palmerston, Northern Territory 

Creating Shining Stars Award – Papilio Early Learning Ashburton, Victoria  

Delivering Outstanding Professionalism Award – Milestones Early Learning Raby, New South Wales 

Having Serious Fun Award – Aussie Kindies Early Learning Kyabram, Victoria 

Excellence Award Winners 

Excellence in Customer Service – Kids Academy Glenmore Park, New South Wales 

Excellence in Early Education – Kids Academy Erina Heights, New South Wales 

Excellence in Safety – Milestones Early Learning Dalby, Queensland 

Excellence in Quality – Papilio Early Learning North Strathfield Blue, New South Wales 

Excellence in Financial Performance – Milestones Early Learning Lynwood, Western Australia 

L-R: Katelyn Bates, Lauren Wilcox, Kim Reeks, Amanda Anderson

Individual Educator Award Winners 

Outstanding Educator – Katelyn Bates at Milestones Early Learning Dalby, Queensland 

Educational Leader of the Year – Lauren Wilcox at Tadpoles ELC Cooroy, Queensland 

Early Childhood Teacher of the Year – Kim Reeks at Milestones Early Learning Gulliver, Queensland 

Trainee of the Year – Amanda Anderson at Milestones Early Learning Westbrook, Queensland 

State Manager Choice Awards 

WA/NT State Award – Claudette Snell at Milestones Early Learning Edgewater 

NSW/ACT State Award – Sally Read at Papilio Early Learning Artarmon 

QLD State Award – Gabby Heit at Milestones Early Learning Ipswich 

VIC State Award – Niki O’Malley at Aussie Kindies Bacchus Marsh 
 

L-R: Olga Klaassen and Sally Raper

CEO’s Choice Award 

Olga Klaassen, Area 10 Area Manager, New South Wales 

National BUZZ Award 

Sally Raper, Area 11 Area Manager, New South Wales 
 

Centre Manager of the Year  

Runner Up – Stacey Laubsch at Milestones Early Learning Wagaman, Northern Territory 

Winner – Theresa-Gai Philips at Bambini ECD Coombabah, Queensland 

T-B: Stacey Laubsch and Theresa-Gai Philips

Thank you to the generous sponsors of the 2020 Affinity Education Awards 

Deloitte                Coles                              Storypark 

PageUp                Aarons Outdoor             ChildcareCRM 

KindyNow            Woolworths at Work      Fixed          

Qualis                  Cleanaway                      HiFlow Airconditioning and Mechanical Services  

O’Brien                Higgins                           MTA (Modern Teaching Aids) 

Learn more about the Affinity Education values, career opportunities and our early learning centres.

We are looking for more talented and passionate people to join our team in 2021 - apply today!