Geelong Family Day Care Service educator Tania Locke recognised as the best Geelong & Great Ocean Road Educator

Tania Locke has shared how being recognised for an award for her work as a family day care educator has validated her.

Tania Locke, who has worked at CoGG's Family Day Care Service for 25 years, has been recognised with a prestigious award. Picture: David Smith

Grovedale resident Tania Locke is shocked and humbled after being recognised as the best family day care educator in Geelong and the Great Ocean Road.

Family Day Care Australia, the national peak body for family day care, awarded Mrs Locke for her “meaningful and unparalleled” work at its Excellence in Family Day Care Awards 2023.

The awards is the only national event of its kind for family day care educators, showcasing the unique benefits of the model, which sees children educated in small groups in a family-style setting.

Mrs Locke said she enjoyed watching children develop skills and being a part of their learning journey. Picture: David Smith

Mrs Locke, 58, has worked at the City of Greater Geelong’s Family Day Care Service for 25 years.

She said her favourite part of the job was connecting and having fun with children and their families, and watching the children develop and learn.

Mrs Locke said she was surprised to have received the award, with “so many good educators” worthy of the same recognition.

“To be recognised to me means that it validates the support and care that I provide the children and their families, and that I am doing the right thing by them,” Mrs Locke said.

“I count myself lucky every day that I am in a job that I enjoy, am passionate about, having fun and adventures with the children, forming long term friendships families and having a wonderful support network with other Family Day Care Educators, FDC support staff and the wider community.”

Mrs Locke is now in the running for Educator of the Year at the national finals, awarded in November.

Originally published as Geelong Family Day Care Service educator Tania Locke recognised as the best Geelong & Great Ocean Road Educator