It is quite rare one may say, to find one person holding the company reins of their life's passion for a quarter of a century.
The early childhood sector was always more than just a job to steer for Fikry Bassiuoni, who has been the company director of his 'bread and butter' for 25 years.
His long day care centre, Kirrawee Child Care Centre, is celebrating its anniversary with an open day from 9.30am on November 2.
It will be a welcome home-coming for many of the centre's past and present families, among them, adults now all grown up, but once taught by Mr Fikry as children. Now, he teaches many of their kids.
Its company provides services to children from birth to school age at centres at Bonnet Bay, and at Before and After School Care at Gymea, Oyster Bay, Como, Bonnet Bay and Waterfall.
Born in Egypt, Mr Fikry migrated to Australia in 1972.
"The journey started from there," he said. "The industry has changed a lot since then. Child care costs $14 a day when I started. It is expensive but Australia provides a very high quality of child care.
"The motto is quality care and education. We have grown from one service in 1994 to seven services, all in the community of Sutherland Shire."
Its company Child Care Australia, trading as Shire Child Care Centre for the past three years is associated with Little Scientist Australia.
"We share the objective of igniting children's passion for life long scientific learning and impeding STEM in our daily program," Mr Fikry said.
"Thanks to our dedicated team of educators without whom that wouldn't have been possible. I dare not to mention any names as there are many who have contributed from their hearts and minds, management salute and thank each one of them."
At age 73, he also hopes to keep working for a long time.
"Education starts from an early age, it makes such a difference to children's lives," he said.
"I always believed in education. Our belief is today's children are our tomorrow's leaders and our country's future."
