LANGWARRIN family day care provider Vanessa Shaw has been recognised as Regional Educator of the Year after being nominated for a Family Day Care Australia award.
Ms Shaw said it is “pretty amazing” to receive the award and she had “no idea” about being nominated by parents of children she cares for at her Langwarrin home.
She said family day care is an option for families with children who may be anxious about being separated from parents who work during the week.
“We work from our homes. Our homes are set up just as well and are as regulated as the big centres so we have all the benefits of being in a family home and there is only one person who’ll look after your child,” Ms Shaw said.
“It is a natural option for a lot of families and it’s more flexible.”
Advantages of family day care for preschool-aged children include smaller groups and one-on-one care by the same person each day.
“It’s really like a second home for them.”
Ms Shaw said being a family day carer is the ideal job for parents wanting to spend time with their own children when they are young.
“It’s for parents who have a real wish to be home with their children. They can be an educator at home and I’d say it is the perfect job.
“For those that are suited to looking after children and being a present parent, I can’t think of anything better.”
Ms Shaw is now in the running to be a national winner at the Family Day Care Australia national conference gala in September.
