Dubbo Family Day Care has been awarded the Perpetual Star Award in the 2023 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards.
Each year the Family Day Care Australia selects an educator, coordinator and service that has contributed to the family day care sector for a significant period of time, longer than 15 years, and continues to thrive.
“We are honoured to have received this award. Dubbo Family Day Care has been operating since 1976 and each year only one service in Australia is chosen for this award so we were very excited to hear in 2023 it was us,” Dubbo Family Day Care coordinator Joanne Clark said.
“The wonderful thing about Family Day Care is that you become part of the children’s family.
“You develop those close relationships and they become part of your life and your home, some of them for generations,” Ms Clark said.
Dubbo Family Day Care has 27 educators that provide a service for over 200 children each week.
Family Day Care educator Margaret Bernie is one of the longest standing educators having been part of the Dubbo service for the past 40 years.
“I’ve had a few generations of children come through and it’s so nice to be able to get to watch the kids grow up and still be in their lives as they get older.
“I’ve cared for children and then had them bring their children back to me when they became parents; another of the children I looked after is also an educator here in Dubbo and another is an engineer working on the Sydney Harbor Tunnel.
“You get to see these children do amazing things and it’s important to acknowledge that the work you do as an educator can help shape these children for life because you become part of their family,” Ms Bernie said.
In announcing the award winners the Family Day Care Australia said the Perpetual Star Awards represent the wisdom of those who continue to give to the sector.
Mrs Clark said there was a continuing high need for childcare around the Dubbo region.
“We are always looking for more educators interested in joining the Family Day Care network in Dubbo.
“If anyone is interested in becoming an educator they can get in touch with the centre on 6801 4470,” Ms Clark said.
Dubbo Family Day Care will receive their award during the 2023 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards presentation night in November.
