Best Geelong kindergarten, childcare centre teacher for 2023 search, local vote
Dozens of nominations have been submitted, and now it’s time to cast your vote for Geelong’s best kindergarten/childcare centre teacher for 2023. LAST CHANCE TO VOTE.
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The nominations are in, and now it’s time to cast your vote for Geelong’s best kindergarten/childcare centre teacher for 2023.
The Geelong Advertiser called for nominations, and with 45 teachers from across the region put forward, the competition is fierce.
Nominees include Rachael Kiel, who was described as an incredibly hard worker who deeply cares about the kids in her care.
“Her companionship cannot be matched,” one reader said.
Another reader nominated Kim Haintz from Greenville Kindergarten, and said she had “the kids best interests at heart”.
“She works extremely hard to ensure the kids get the most of their time at Greenville,” the reader said.
“Her kindness and caring nature was one thing that attracted us to Greenville for our kids.”
Zinnia Hardiman from Play CCK Belmont was nominated for the second year in a row.
A reader said she went “above and beyond” to assist their child with his learning.
“He experienced different challenges and she approached this kindness, empathy and dedication to support him and our family,” the reader said.
“She has left such a positive impact on our family and our son has fond memories of his time with her.”
Thank you for voting. The winner will be announced December 8.
Street savvy nominee
The Geelong Advertiser’s best kindergarten and childcare centre teacher vote is back by popular demand for 2023, as a 2022 nominee reveals how a new program is making students street-savvy.
Federation Children Geelong West early childhood teacher Rachael Kiel launched a street kinder program at the Ballarat Rd centre.
The program sees Ms Kiel, who was nominated for the 2022 best kinder teacher, take a few three and four-year-old kinder students at a time on a public transport ride within a 5km radius.
She said the program allowed the kids to explore the community and the local primary school at “any time of the day”.
“I really wanted to put forth the idea, because there are so many programs already out there that have bush or beach kinder,” Ms Kiel said.
“I just thought with the children wanting to be more involved in the community and asking more about public transport, it’d be a great opportunity.”
Ms Kiel said the idea had been paying off, with dozens of families interested, and other programs around Geelong and the Surf Coast wanting to implement it into their schedules.
She said it was a hands-on learning experience that empowered the children.
“The feedback we’ve gotten from families is absolutely amazing,” she said.
“It’s also encouraging families to step out of their comfort zones, and start making new memories and have new adventures, and have faith in their children.
“It enhances the children’s learning, and the children feel empowered.”
The Addy is looking to crown the best kindergarten and childcare centre teacher for 2023.
Nominations were open until November 30.
Voting will opens December 1, with the winner to be announced December 8.
We have relaunched the Best of Geelong series to help our readers discover the incredible businesses and individuals in our community. The way it works is in three stages:
1. We put out an initial call for nominations over a two-day period. This happens on our various social media accounts as well as on our website.
2. After nominations close we open the voting stage on our website. The businesses or individuals that received the highest number of nominations will progress to the voting stage. The voting stage runs for one week.
3. Once voting has closed a winner will be announced on our website usually a few days after the voting stage concludes. At the same time we will also announce up to nine other businesses with the highest amount of votes in the poll.
*The Geelong Advertiser reserves the right to disqualify any entries to the Best Of competition.
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