OMEP WA Early Childhood Education & Care Bursary

In order to assist deserving individuals to train as early childhood educators, two bursaries of $2000 each will  be offered in 2026 to undergraduate or post graduate students at University or TAFE.

Nominations are now open for 2026.

About

Nominations are called for the OMEP WA Inc. Early Childhood Education Bursary 2026. This bursary is available to two students, studying an early childhood course in Western Australia at TAFE or University level. Applications are due Friday, 27th March 2026. 

The cash amount of $2000.00 will be presented to each of the successful applicants and may be used: 

  • To support further study;
  • Course fees;
  • Study aids/textbooks;
  • Attendance at seminars or conferences;
  • Other (please specify).

OMEP WA Inc. is a voluntary organisation affiliated with the World Organisation for Early Childhood Education (OMEP). It was formed in 1948 to benefit children less than 8 years of age throughout the world.

In awarding this Bursary, OMEP WA Inc. aims to:

  • Reward academic excellence;
  • Address financial need;
  • Recognise commitment to working with young children (e.g. babysitting, childcare, sporting clubs, Sunday school, preschool helper, hospital volunteer).

Please complete the Bursary Application Form below by the closing date given above.

The Bursary winner will be notified within one month. The decision of the award panel will be final. The Bursary recipient will be required to report to OMEP WA Inc. as to how the Bursary has assisted their study. 

If you have any questions about the Bursary please contact the OMEP WA Secretary: [email protected] 

Application Form

Previous Bursaries

 

We are delighted to announce the two recipients of the 2025 OMEP WA Early Childhood Education and Care Bursary:

• Emma Cross, completing her PhD research in Leadership in Early Childhood Education at Curtin University

• Crystalle Kopp, a fourth-year student studying Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Studies) at ECU

The bursary rewards academic excellence, provides financial assistance to students, and recognises a strong commitment to working with young children. Both recipients impressed the selection committee with their dedication to advancing quality education and care for young children. 

We were honoured to have Dr Dawn Butterworth AO attend Emma’s PhD Milestone 3 presentation, where she formally recognised Emma’s outstanding achievements in front of colleagues and HDR peers. This year, we received an exceptional standard of applications from students deeply engaged in the early childhood education and care sector.

We were inspired by the outstanding quality and dedication of all applicants.

As part of our commitment to nurturing future educators, all applicants were awarded a complimentary one-year OMEP WA membership, granting them access to our global network, events, research, scholarships, grants, and further bursary opportunities.

Congratulations again to Emma and Crystalle! We can’t wait to see what the future holds for you both!

 

OPEM WA Bursary Winner

The winner of this year’s early childhood education and care bursary was third year early childhood teacher education student Chloe Conlan.

The bursary of $2000 is awarded to an early childhood teacher education student on the basis of academic excellence, demonstrated commitment to young children and financial need. Eleven applications were received and all were noteworthy. However, the three independent judges agreed that Chloe stood out with the highest grade point average of 3.94 and outstanding practicum grades.

Commitment to young children was demonstrated by volunteering in hospitals, preschools, child care centres, sporting clubs and Sunday school. Because Chloe is not an Australian citizen, she is not eligible for HECS and has to pay full fees up front, requiring her to work three jobs part-time. Yet, Chloe still manages to serve as an ECU peer leader and member of the Vice Chancellor’s advisory forum.

On Tuesday 23 July, President Dawn Butterworth and Membership Secretary Mary Vajda travelled to Edith Cowen University to congratulate Chloe and present her with her award in the presence of fellow students and staff members.

OMEP Australia is the Australian arm of the Organisation Mondiale pour l’Éducation Préscolaire (OMEP) or the World Organisation for Early Childhood Education.

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