SINGAPORE - Early childhood professionals who show promise will be recognised at the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) conference this Friday (Oct 6).

The 5th Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) Awards will single out those with strong potential for professional excellence. They must also have at least three years of relevant trained experience.

The agency said the new "Promising Award" is to recognise and motivate teachers in the early stages of the profession.

It will complement the existing "Outstanding Award" for more experienced professionals with at least five years under their belt.

The annual awards recognise early childhood professionals and centres that have excelled in teaching and learning, and in their innovative practices.

It was first launched in 2013, with five individual and centre categories such as the Early Childhood Leader Award and the Outstanding Centre for Teaching and Learning Award.

In addition to the "Promising Award", the ECDA has also introduced a new Honour Roll for Innovation Mentor Centres, in a move to promote and sustain an innovation culture in the sector.

The four innovation mentor centres appointed to the inaugural Honour Roll are: Odyssey, The Global Preschool (Fourth Avenue); Ramakrishna Mission Sarada Kindergarten; St. James' Church Kindergarten (Harding); and The Ascension Kindergarten.

These centres have been exemplary in fostering an innovation culture and have clinched two or more prestigious innovation awards conferred by ECDA in the past years.

They will work closely with ECDA to mentor other pre-schools and grow the innovation culture in the sector.

A total of 24 early childhood professionals and centres will receive awards at the ECDA Early Childhood Conference at Suntec 2 Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre.