During the gala, ADFW Child Care will present our Golden Star Impact Awards, which pay tribute to outstanding child-care centers and early childhood educators. ADFW Child Care will also recognize Early Childhood Agencies who support childcare centers and early childhood educators!

Honors outstanding service and accomplishments in the delivery of services to children. It is given to an individual who has contributed significantly to the direct care and education of young children.
 
This award is presented to a child care teacher or staff person who works directly with children and who is an excellent example for other caregivers to follow. Both center-based and home-based educators are eligible.

• This person creates and models a cooperative, caring environment;
• Plans and implements a curriculum to enhance, support and assess development and learning;
• Establishes relationships with each family to support the success of all children.

Eligibility Guidelines

• Has been a teacher for at least one year;
• Provides for the health and safety of young children;
• Fosters the positive growth of children in relation to others, themselves and their environment;
• Strives to stimulate wonderment, curiosity, and love of learning.

Phenomenal Golden Star: Director of the Year Award

Phenomenal Golden Star:  Family Child Care Executive of the Year Award

This award honors outstanding service and accomplishments in the field of administration, management and community. The award is presented to a Center Director or a Family Child Care Executive who has shown leadership in their child care centers and community, displaying exceptional dedication, collaboration, creativity and vision.
 
This award is presented to the owner, executive director, director or Family Child Care Executive who demonstrates qualities of:

• Vision - Believes that all children have the right to a safe, healthy and developmentally stimulating early care and education experience.
• Teamwork - Strives to meet the needs of families, teachers, and support staff as they serve children from all income levels, abilities, and cultures.
• Leadership - Contributes to their community and promotes the value of early care and education to the general public as well as advocating that all families have access to stable, affordable, quality early care and education for their children.

Eligibility Guidelines
Specifically, this person should have:

• Owner or Director for2 years or more
• Provides for the health and safety of young children;
• Fosters the positive growth of children in relation to others, themselves and their environment;
• Strives to stimulate wonderment, curiosity, and love of learning.

Phenomenal Golden Star: Phenomenal ECE Community Partner Award

This award will recognize an Executive, Mentor, Trainer, or supporting staff member from a partnering community organization that has demonstrated excellence in their partnership with local child care centers and family child care homes.

Eligibility Guidelines

• Demonstrates an innovative partnership with the early care and learning sector to support or deliver services, ensure inclusion or encourage diversity, and 1 community efforts and continuous improvement of child care practices
• Exemplifies a strong partnership, working together towards common goals, collaboration in supporting children, families and their community, and building a respectful relationship
• Collaborates with community members on matters related to child care, including when plans are being sought/drafted for community improvements
• Includes the voices of child care providers and/or families with children attending child care facilities