Kirby Voss crowned 2023 Burnett’s favourite child care educator

A born and bred Kingaroy mum, who received an overwhelming number of votes in our competition, has been crowned the region’s favourite childcare educator for 2023.

Kirby Voss is a born and bred Kingaroy mum, who received an overwhelming number of votes in our competition to be crowned the region’s favourite childcare educator for 2023.

The winner of the Burnett’s favourite child care educator poll received an overwhelming number of nominations and votes from across the region.

Kirby Voss has been crowned the 2023 winner of the competition held by the South Burnett Times, receiving 24 per cent of total votes.

The 27-year-old from Kingaroy completed a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, at the Sunshine Coast University 2019, and began working at Kingaroy Early Learning Centre soon after.

Mrs Voss said throughout university she was driven by her desire to create meaningful early learning experiences for children.

“I work with 3 to 5-year-olds and focus on preparing them for school by creating a positive beginning to education,” she said.

“All of my colleagues aim to give the children a willingness to learn and a love for books,” she said.

Mrs Voss said her favourite part of her job is forming strong connections with the families and creating unique learning paths for the children.

Kirby Voss said one of her favourite parts of her job forming strong connections with the families of her students.

“As it is quite a small centre we get to know the parents very well and often teach a few children from the same families, over the years,” Mrs Voss said.

“We value the strong partnerships and it’s always very sad when their youngest child passes through,” she said.

The mother of two said the centre’s employees are very supportive of one another which makes for a fantastic work environment, which reflects on the results they achieve with the children.

“Each day is never the same and that is one of my favourite parts, some days I’ll have a lesson plan and the kids will amaze me with how they twist it in a different way and we end up running with what they want to do,” Mrs Voss said.

“It’s all part of the fun,” she said.

Mrs Voss said she thinks her work has been recognised by the community because she ensures each child is catered for and heard.

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“I make sure no one is missing out, even though sometimes I have classes of up to 23 children,” Mrs Voss said.

“I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me and also my colleagues who support me every day.

“They do just as an amazing job as I do,” she said.

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Nicole Dowers from Kingaroy Kindergarten and Glenys Howkins from Peanut Kids Kindy and After School Care tied for second place.

Congratulations to our winners, and to our finalists.