Baw Baw Shire Council’s Family Day Care service picked up three awards in Family Day Care Australia’s 2020 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards recently.
Educators Martha Smith and Anne Bell both won regional awards – making Baw Baw Shire the only Council to have multiple educators recognised. Martha Smith was awarded the Bairnsdale and Gippsland Regional Award, while Anne Bell received the Traralgon & La Trobe Valley Regional Award.
It is the fifth year in a row for Martha, who has previously won State Educator of the Year in 2018.
Family Day Care Field Officer Julie Metselaar received the Perpetual Star Award, a national award recognising educators, coordinators and services that have contributed to the family day care sector for a significant period of time and continue to thrive.
Both Martha Smith and Anne Bell will now represent BBSC at the state level, which will be announced on 7 December.
Baw Baw Shire Council has 26 Family Day Care educators working across the shire and has delivered care to Baw Baw families for more than 30 years.
The team has adapted to changing Covid regulations this year without compromising on quality care.
As noted by Mayor Cr Danny Goss:
“We are lucky to have a great group of dedicated educators working here in Baw Baw Shire. Our service is rated as Exceeding the National Standards under the National Quality Framework, which means our educators consistently go above and beyond to deliver top-quality care to children.
“Congratulations to Julie Metselaar, Martha Smith and Anne Bell, and all the other educators making a difference in the lives of some of our youngest residents.”
