Her love for children has earned Bundaberg family day care educator Katrina Ashmore a national accolade for excellence in family day care.
Katrina was recognised as the Wide Bay regional winner at the 2020 Family Day Care Australia Excellence in Family Day Care Awards.
Katrina, who is registered with Carinbundi Kids Family Day Care in Bundaberg, is one of more than 13,000 family day care educators who play an important role in the lives of more than 108,000 children around the country.
The nomination came as a surprise to Katrina, but even greater was the shock of winning.
“I’m a little bit excited but it is probably more of an honour because I’ve been in the industry for 23 years,” she said.
“Family day and working with families and children of all different cultural backgrounds is my passion, so it’s an real honour to get this award.”
Family day care is an approved form of childcare that's provided in the family day care educator’s own home.
Katrina has worked as a family day care educator in Bundaberg for more than 20 years and has become an enduring and important part of her clients' lives.
“Our family day care is a very personalised service and it does become like your family, because you build a relationship and rapport with the families,” Katrina said.
“They become your extended family and I’ve got a mum who was one of my first day care children, and now I’m looking after her children. It’s quite beautiful and they become a part of your family.”
Celebrating its ninth year, the 2020 Family Day Care Australia’s Excellence in Family Day Care Awards highlights the important work of family day care educators and the invaluable contributions they make to the lives of children, families and communities.
Family Day Care Australia chief executive, Andrew Paterson, spoke about the record-breaking 5600 nominations which were made for this year’s awards and the achievements of the regional winners.
“It is a testament to the incredible work coming out of our sector from educators like Katrina,” Mr Paterson said.
“They have gone above and beyond to nurture and support the children in their care, and we are thrilled to recognise their achievements.”
Katrina is now in the running to be named as a national finalist for the 2020 National Family Day Care Educator of the Year Award.
National finalists will be announced on 7 December 2020, with the 2020 National Family Day Care Educator of the Year Award to be announced at a gala dinner on 27 February 2021.
- Other news: St Luke's master plan to forge ahead
