A Canning Vale family day care educator has been named the best in Perth’s CBD, inner and western suburbs.
Leanne Dowsett won the regional award at the 2016 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards last month, which puts her in contention for the WA and national titles over the next two months.
Family day cares are run at home with small numbers of children.
Ms Dowsett has been running her family day care for more than 10 years and said she still loved it.
“I was made redundant so I started so I could be home with my own children,” she said.
“I love it, I love working with the families, I love seeing the children move through the changes.
“I love watching the ones who start here who are really nervous and scared and don’t say boo and you just watch them grow and move on.
“I found my little thing I like doing.”
She said it was an honour to win the regional award.
“It is nice to be recognised and just to know you’re doing something right,” she said.
Family Day Care Australia chief executive Andrew Paterson said he was overwhelmed with the stories about the role family day cares play in the lives of families.
“Educators like Leanne hold a special place in the hearts of the families who nominated them,” he said.
Ms Dowsett will find out whether she has won the WA award later this month and the national awards will be held November 26.
