Winners of Tassie’s Best Child Care Educator revealed
Tassie’s best child care educators have been crowned out of dozens of deserving finalists, with the top two centres revealing why they love their job. SEE WHO MADE THE TOP FIVE >>
Tasmania
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FOR some families, their child care centres are like an extended family.
It’s the reason Tassie mum Toni Lee Taylor nominated the team from Tiny Tackers Children Centre in The Mercury’s ‘Best Tassie Child Care Educator’ poll.
“Tiny Tackers is not just a child care centre but our second little family,” Toni said.
“They are always there for not just the kids but the parents. They are always striving to do the best for our families especially through the pandemic.
“It’s the little things like today my child bought home a laminated love heart from care and it said ‘we appreciate you’ for me.”
The Tiny Tackers team placed second overall, with Discovery Early Learning Lauderdale taking out first place.
The team at Discovery Early Learning Lauderdale received a large number of nominations, with some parents and colleagues putting forward names of the entire team.
“As a mum who suffered from post-natal anxiety and had to work more days than anticipated, these girls went over and above to not only look after my little girl but to always reassure and encourage me,” mum Rebecca Madden said.
“They took the stress and guilt out of having to leave her there and I’m forever grateful.”
Centre director Danyele Fox-Barratt said she “couldn’t be any more proud” of her team, with more than 35 employees nominated in the poll.
“They are family and the work and love and care they put into every day is outstanding,” she said.
Ms Fox-Barratt said the staff put in “tireless work” for the children.
“My team will embrace any changes and are always up for a challenge or something that is not the norm. This can be seen in our Nipaluna Beach Program, and our achievements being recognised in Canberra nationally for inclusive practices with children.”
For Tiny Tackers owner Erica Hendy, she said it was definitely a team effort.
“We’re all so excited to have done so well after being nominated by so many parents,” she said.
Ms Hendy said coming to work each day alongside her team of 20 “very dedicated and passionate” staff made her job fulfilling.
Tiny Tackers is just months off celebrating 10 years as a centre in Glenorchy, a tight-knit group Ms Hendy says is family oriented.
“For me, my favourite part of the job is seeing children achieve milestones, pushing themselves to the limits and becoming independent,” she said.
“Fun and friendship is really important and feeling supported — not just the children, but the whole family.
“We’ve had some families with us for the whole 10 years with siblings, so that’s really special to us as educators.
“I just want to say thank you to my staff and well done to all the centres nominated. It’s clear there are so many wonderful child care providers in Tassie.”
And the winners are …
1st place: Discovery Early Learning Lauderdale | Whole team
2nd place: Erica Hendy and team | Tiny Tackers Glenorchy
3rd place: Lady Gowrie South Hobart | Whole team
4th place: Robyn Lipscombe | Kingston Beach ELC
Tied in 5th place: Sophie Budgen from Discovery ELC Dominic and Nicole Pettit from Child’s Play Early Learning
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