KU Children’s Services Chief Executive Officer Christine Legg has been awarded the prestigious Early Childhood Australia Barbara Creaser Memorial Award, recognising her over 45 years of service as an advocate, champion and leader in the Australian early childhood education sector.
Legg’s professional journey, from a young parent intrigued by emerging developmental psychology to a national leader in education, reflects a lifelong commitment to creating a nurturing and inclusive educational environment for children in their early years.
“Chris is widely recognised in the sector for championing and pioneering high-quality early childhood programs, creating opportunities for Australian children to truly flourish, develop independence, confidence, and their foundational developmental and social skills,” KU Children’s Services Board Chair Helen Conway says.
“She has been a steadfast advocate for the value of early childhood education in Australia, and the need to grow, support and elevate the early education profession, to ensure a legacy of high-quality early childhood education exists well into the future.
“Chris’s work, developing and enabling innovative approaches to community led early education and care, has been pivotal in enabling KU Children’s Services specifically to deliver nationwide services that reflect the needs of Australian families and communities.”
Despite these accolades for her impressive achievements, Legg says that, like so many Australian women, she was “plagued with what is known as imposter syndrome” for the majority of her career.
“Carving out my professional identity as an advocate in the early childhood education sector has come together over time, and this journey has been the way I have come to deeply understand my purpose and impact as a leader in this sector,” Legg says.
“I have always firmly believed that education is the key to breaking cycles of inequity and disadvantage and the early education sector plays a crucial role in providing young children a strong foundation in their early education.
“This belief has fuelled my commitment and passion to continue as a lifelong advocate for the sector.
“It is so important children are supported to be experiencing all they can, in the time that they are in rather than getting ready to be the person they will be the following year.”
A proud career filled with “joyful” work
She says that “working with younger children who are developing rapidly, is such interesting and joyful work”.
“As early childhood education professionals, we have the power to deliver high-quality early childhood education programs and provide children with opportunities to develop confidence and agency before they start formal schooling,” Legg says.
“I’m humbled by all I have learnt from those who have been foundational in the growth of the sector over the last 45 years, including the late Barbara Creaser herself. I am privileged to stand on the shoulders of those that come before me and to lay the pathway for those that will follow after me”.
