Michelle Clare with Metayha Murray, Harlie Ivery, Hannah Gellie, Sonnya Grainger and Alex Lunn.
A career in childcare was a no-brainer for Michelle Clare who has looked after children since she was 12 years old.
Over the years she has cared for 30 children and this week she was recognised as a local winner of the Family Day Care Australia Educator of the Year Awards.
According to Family Day Care Australia, if your children are with Ms Clare, they are in good hands.
“To be named the local winner is recognition of Michelle’s dedication to providing quality early childhood education, but also to the wonderful and unique relationship between educators like Michelle and the children in their care,” FDCA CEO Carla Northam said.
“Each of the 2500 educators nominated holds a special place in the hearts of the families who nominated them.”
Ms Clare was surprised and excited when she heard the news about her nomination.
The family who nominated her were impressed by the care she provided to their son who has special needs and began learning things that he wasn’t expected to at his age.
“I have always found childcare really rewarding,” she said.
“You see changes in them and as they advance you know you have helped them along the way with their achievements.”
She said the trick to providing excellent care was to always challenge children and look for ways to do this.
The structure of Family Day Care also has its benefits.
“Providing care from a home environment is very one-on-one. It’s also in a family setting with other children and that helps with social development,” she said.