A local Ascot kindergarten is translating its significant national and internal awards into tangible benefits for its children and families, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of the community’s early learning landscape.
A Commitment to Positive Impact
C&K Ascot Community Kindergarten has recently been the focus of major recognition, celebrating a win at the national HESTA Early Childhood Education & Care Awards. This honour acknowledged the centre’s dedication to advancing pedagogy and practice.
Adding to the accolades, the kindergarten’s team was also named a finalist for the prestigious Department of Education Inspiring Impact Award at the 2025 C&K Awards, highlighting their collaborative efforts to create lasting positive outcomes for the children and families they serve. The Inspiring Impact award specifically celebrates teams that demonstrate a deep commitment to their local communities.
Cultivating Confidence and Respect
The national HESTA award was given for the kindergarten’s ‘Proud to Be Me’ initiative, a program designed specifically for its three- to five-year-old children. The initiative focuses on building a welcoming and inclusive environment where children are empowered to express their authentic selves. It integrates lessons on emotional literacy and respecting diversity into the daily learning program.
Teacher Director Karina Hannan-Lopez stated that the award provides hope that the foundations they lay for children today will inspire brighter futures. She affirmed the team’s encouragement to continue exploring new ways of teaching equity and embracing innovative practices that enrich a child’s development.
From Accolades to Action
Demonstrating a direct link between the recognition and the children’s experience, the kindergarten plans to use the prize money from the HESTA award to enhance its outdoor environment. The funds will go toward developing natural play spaces designed to spark imagination and foster a deeper connection with the natural world.
This project aligns perfectly with the centre’s core philosophy, which uses its beautiful, large landscaped gardens as an open learning environment. The C&K curriculum model, led by university-qualified teachers, centres on the principle of learning through play, with educators skilfully extending children’s experiences in both indoor and outdoor settings.
A Partner for ASCOT Families
Beyond its award-winning programs, C&K Ascot serves as a vital resource for local families through its practical and supportive offerings. The centre provides an extended hours program that runs until 6 p.m. as well as a holiday program during Queensland school holidays, with both services included in the daily fee.
Families can choose from two, three, or five-day-a-week attendance options. To ensure parents remain an integral part of their child’s learning journey, the kindergarten fosters close relationships with families and uses the Storypark app to share documentation and daily highlights, creating a strong, collaborative community.
Published Date 09-October-2025
