Engadine family daycare educator Hayley Henson has won a regional award for a job that she simply loves doing.
She was recognised as one of the nation’s finest in her industry, being named the Sutherland Shire regional winner in the 2018 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards.
Family Day Care Educators are early childhood specialists who work out of their own homes, providing care and education to four children under school age.
Ms Henson, who is registered with Sutherland Family Day Care, is one of more than 18,000 family day care educators who play a vital role in the lives of more than 112,000 families across Australila.
Now in its seventh year, the awards acknowledge the work done by educators in a home learning environment.
Ms Henson says the award is a wonderful recognition of the work that she enjoys.
“When I started four years ago, I had my two children, and thought it was a great way to have that work-life balance,” she said.
“Family day care is about accommodating children who want that bit of socialisation away from parents, but not be overwhelmed by the big numbers in a childcare centre.
“The small numbers of children and the personalised level of care really appeals to parents, especially those who are putting their child into care for the first time.
“It’s a good first step for children to get used to care outside of mum.”
She now goes in the running to be named a national finalist, announced on August 6.