The 2010 HAPI Award winners are....
Kindergartens, childcare centres and schools throughout the Barwon South Western region have been recognised for their outstanding work in positive inclusion of children with disabilities and additional needs.
Each of the six winners - including dual winners for one category - were presented with a HAPI Award and a cheque for $1,000 during the awards ceremony held in Geelong.
The 2010 HAPI Award winners are:
Category 1- Inclusion of a child who has an additional need or mild disability in a state funded kindergarten program
Dual winners: Dunkeld Kindergarten and Early Learning Centre @ Rosewall
Category 2 - Inclusion of a child who has a moderate disability in a state funded kindergarten program
Winner: Geelong College Early Learning Centre
Category 3 - Inclusion of a child who has a severe disability in a state funded kindergarten program
Winner: Geelong West Kindergarten
Category 4 - Inclusion of a child in a Commonwealth funded childcare program
Winner: ABC East Geelong
Category 5 - Inclusion of a child attending a Government primary school in their Prep year
Winner: Oberon Primary School
Gateways CEO Rosemary Malone said the HAPI (Helping Achieve Positive Inclusion) Awards presentation provides the opportunity to publicly acknowledge, reward and celebrate the outstanding work being done by early years services to ensure children with disabilities and additional needs are included in everyday activities and accepted as friends by other children in their group.
"Children with disabilities want the chance to participate and learn with their classmates, and make friends just like anyone else," said Mrs Malone.
Gateways thanks inaugural sponsor G-Force Recruitment for its continued support of the awards and the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development as well as the cities of Greater Geelong and Warrnambool for sponsoring the awards.