VOTE NOW: Tassie’s Best Childcare Educator

FINAL DAY: When we put out the call to find Tasmania’s best child care workers, we were inundated with heartfelt nominations from parents. SEE THE SHORTLIST + VOTE NOW >>

Choosing a daycare is an important decision for any family, with its educators becoming a big part of a child’s early life.

When the Mercury put out the call to find Tasmania’s best, we were inundated with heartfelt nominations which really showed just how much local educators are loved.

>> SEE THE SHORTLIST + VOTE BELOW

“Christine Carr from Brighton Family Daycare Scheme has been doing this for 30 years, and welcomes every child into her home like they are her own,” one parent said.

Jackie Hughes was nominated “for leading the amazing team at Cambridge Road Play and Learn Centre”.

“(She) has a deep understanding of child development, a brilliant communicator, builds genuine connections with children, families and staff. Approaches everything with a ‘child at the centre’ perspective and does it all with smiles, laughter and warmth.”

The search is on to find Tassie’s best child care educator for 2021.

And many educators nominated were from smaller family daycares, like Lisa Smith at New Norfolk.

“She is part of the family, not just someone who cares for the kids, she makes them grow into beautiful little souls,” a parent said when nominating Lisa.

Elizabeth Bellani of Seedling and Sprout Early Learning was also nominated.

“Liz has turned my son from a clingy, shy, quiet boy into a confident, outgoing, social boy,” a mum commented.

“My son loves the nature exploration walks to picnics, using a candle safely, creating race tracks in the garden, pretend cooking outdoors with natural things and climbing ladders/boulders/trees.

AmanDeep Grewal from Lady Gowrie Campbell Street was nominated multiple times by parents and her colleagues for “being a wonderful and caring educator to the children”.

“She is beautiful and amazing with not only the children but parents and staff she is always putting extra hours of her time into ensuring that her team of educators and children have the best time,” one parent said.

See the full shortlist below, and vote for your favourite by the closing date of 5pm Thursday, April 1.