Baw Baw Shire Family Day Care wins National Service of the Year Award
Published on 02 March 2022
Baw Baw Shire Council’s renowned Family Day Care service has been recognised as the National Service of the Year at the Family Day Care Australia Excellence in Family Day Care Awards in Canberra.
Baw Baw Shire Council has 22 Family Day Care educators and 4 other staff working across the Shire and has delivered care to Baw Baw families for more than 30 years.
The team were selected as national finalists for the award for the Tasmania/Victoria region, before winning the overall award at a ceremony on Saturday 26 February.
In winning the prestigious national award, they were recognised for their collaborative approach to ongoing development, reflective practice, and community contribution.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Baw Baw Family Day Care have been outspoken advocates for educator and staff wellbeing, and prioritise strong, meaningful relationships with peers, children, and families.
Coordinator of Baw Baw Shire Family Day Care, Caroline Halliday, said “I am greatly honoured to receive this National Award on behalf of Baw Baw Shire Council, who continue to support us and see the value in the service we provide.
This award is only possible because of the amazing support we receive from staff, educators, and of course the families who participated in the nomination process. We are greatly honoured to receive this award and will continue to make sure we provide the best possible service to families in Baw Baw Shire.”
Baw Baw Shire Family Day Care is a consistently high-performing service, rated as Exceeding the National Standards under the National Quality Framework. In addition to this year’s award, they have been previously recognised with Perpetual Star, Coordinator of the Year and Regional Educator of the Year awards.
Baw Baw Shire Family Day Care is currently recruiting suitable and passionate educators to join the team to meet increasing demand. To find out more, please direct enquiries to family.daycare@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Mayor Cr Michael Leaney:
“Congratulations to our award-winning Baw Baw Shire Family Day Care team. We are so fortunate to have such skilled and passionate educators working in our community. The families that make use of this excellent service know firsthand just how much they care and dedicate themselves to everything they do.
Throughout the pandemic, they have demonstrated such resilience in maintaining their exceptional standards at a time when families needed it most.
This award is richly deserved. Congratulations to all involved.”
Quotes attributable to Family Day Care Australia CEO Andrew Paterson:
“Baw Baw Shire Family Day Care have displayed excellence in all areas of practice and are committed to providing quality outcomes for their children, peers and communities. Their contributions, not just to family day care but to the wider early childhood sector, are invaluable.
Services like Baw Baw Shire Family Day Care support educators to reap the rewards of a career in early childhood that allows them to educate their way and enjoy a richly rewarding career as part of one of Australia’s largest networks of women in small business”.