We are grateful to have been recognised as finalists in the Wollondilly Business Awards in 2024 and 2026 and as winners in 2025. We do not take that recognition lightly and we are proud that our service has been seen by others as worthy of it.
At the same time, we have made the decision to withdraw from the 2026 awards and not to actively pursue awards in this space going forward.
This decision comes from conviction, not dissatisfaction. At Footsteps By Faith, our philosophy is centred on seeing every child as capable and competent, creating safe and inclusive spaces, building genuine partnerships with families, providing consistency and individualised support, and treating play, learning and professional growth as serious and essential work.
For us, early childhood education and care is not simply a business category. It is a professional education environment shaped by relationships, trust, responsibility and long-term human outcomes. We do not believe that the heart of this work is best expressed through competition or public accolades, even when those accolades are well-intentioned and appreciated.
The recognition we have received matters to us because it reflects the work of our educators, the trust of our families and the environment we have built together. But it is not the recognition we are ultimately seeking. What matters most to us is that children feel safe, heard and respected; that families experience genuine partnership and transparency; and that educators are supported as professionals whose practice continues to grow. Those are the outcomes we want to remain focused on.
On that basis, we respectfully withdraw from the 2026 Wollondilly Business Awards. We do so with gratitude, with clarity and without criticism of those who choose differently. We sincerely wish all finalists and participants every success this year and beyond.