Early Childhood Educator of the Year Nomination Form 2026-2027

The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is seeking nominations for the annual Georgia’s Early Childhood Educators of the Year program. If you are a program administrator, co-worker or a parent of a child in a child care program and know an outstanding early childhood teacher, consider nominating them for Georgia’s Early Childhood Educator of the Year program. If you are a Family Child Care Provider dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young children, consider nominating yourself for the Early Childhood Educators of the Year program.

The top six finalists will each receive $500 for their personal use, and the top three winners will receive an additional:

$3,000 for their personal use
$2,000 for a classroom makeover
Up to $2,500 for their school to cover travel expenses and stipends for substitute teachers as the teacher fulfills their duties of a Georgia’s Early Childhood Educator of the Year around the state.

Please provide us with some information about yourself.

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* 1. Name:

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* 2. Email address:

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* 3. Relationship to the nominee

Program Administrator

Co-Worker

Parent of a child in care

Self-nomination

Please provide us with some information about the early childhood educator.

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* 4. Nominee:

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* 5. Child Care Program Name

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* 6. Child Care Program Address

Street

City

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* 7. Age Group

Infant Teacher (0-15 months)

Toddler Teacher (15-36 months)

Preschool Teacher (36-48 months)-Georgia Pre-K Teachers are not eligible for this nomination

Family Child Care Provider

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* 8. Why do you feel this teacher should be awarded Early Childhood Educator of the Year? Please provide specific details of why you think this person is an exemplary educator.