Nominate a top teacher or school for WA awards

• Nominations open today for WA's public education awards

• New category to find best early childhood teacher

The search is on to find Western Australia's best public school teachers, support staff and schools, with nominations open today for the WA Education Awards 2012.

Education Minister Liz Constable said that this year the new the WA Premier's Early Childhood Teacher of the Year category would reward those making a difference in the lives of WA's youngest students.

"The addition of this category reflects the vital importance of quality early childhood education for children's future learning and opportunities," Dr Constable said.

"We are looking for the best early childhood teacher in a public school in WA - teaching in the year groups of kindergarten to year 3."

The Minister said that for the first time, parents and children could go online to suggest a teacher, principal or school staff member for an award via the 'Recognise your teacher' section of the awards website.

"One good teacher can have a positive influence on so many young lives, and I strongly encourage people to highlight the good work that school staff do every day," she said.

Dr Constable said the new early childhood teacher award reflected the State Government's focus on the importance of early learning experiences.

"We are setting up 10 Child and Parent Centres to improve access to vital early intervention services for the youngest children and their families in need; increased hours of kindergarten for all children and compulsory pre-primary from 2013," she said.

"Now we are aiming to boost the recognition and profile of early childhood teaching as a valued and rewarding career."

The WA Education Awards 2012 winners will be announced at a presentation breakfast in Perth on Monday, December 3.

There is a total of $264,000 in prizes for winners and State finalists across nine categories.

      Fact File

• 'Recognise your teacher' entries open today and close Friday, August 10

• For more information about the awards visit: http://www.det.wa.edu.au/educationawards

• Previous WA Education Awards winners are available for media interview on request

Minister's office - 6552 5700