Intereach educators take top awards

Delivering high-quality care has resulted in two Intereach Family Day Care educators being honoured in the national 2022 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards.

Angela Coffey and Kelly Martin are winners in the 2022 Regional Educator Awards category – which recognises educators who drive quality improvement, innovation and a commitment to quality care.

Angela , of Deniliquin, was an award winner in the Wagga Wagga and Riverina Region, while Kelly , an educator in Echuca, won her award for the Mildura and Murray region.

The awards highlight the incredible work of Family Day Care educators and the invaluable contributions they make to the lives of children, families and communities. The Family Day Care awards are based on professional practice, relationships, flexibility, autonomy and diversity, and social support.

Kelly has been an Intereach Family Day Care Educator since 2012, and Angela has been an Intereach Family Day Care educator since 2016.
Kelly said she was honoured to be recognised for the work she loves.

“I am extremely passionate about my role as an educator and enjoy working with families to provide quality care,” Kelly said.

Angela said she was also honoured to receive the recognition, adding,

“I feel the role of the educator is to provide a warm and welcoming environment that invites children to explore and join in experiences.”

Intereach Family Day Care offers nurturing home-based childcare for small groups of children with flexible and extended hours. Care is available in the homes of qualified, registered FDC educators on weekdays, school holidays, overnight and weekends, as well as before and after school. It is available for babies and children under the age of 13 in Coolamon, Deniliquin, Echuca, Finley, Jerilderie, Junee, Kerang, Moama, Nanneella, Rochester, Swan Hill and Wagga Wagga.

Intereach Program Manager for FDC Rebecca Fitzpatrick congratulated Kelly and Angela on their award success.

“Intereach Family Day Care truly focuses on each child’s development, interests and needs, and Angela’s service is a testament to this. Angela has a proactive approach to engaging in ongoing learning, reflective practice and collaborative conversations with her peers to continue to inform and enhance her decision-making and practice about children’s learning. This ensures the children in her care have access to the highest quality early learning in a natural environment.

“Angela provides children with the opportunity to develop lifelong skills such as cooking, sewing and gardening, and explores concepts like inclusion, diversity and community, all through a play-based learning approach. Angela is a true asset to the Intereach Family Day Care team, and we are all extremely proud of her achievements in these awards.

“Kelly has a beautiful, kind, caring and nurturing approach to developing respectful relationships with children. Kelly gets to know each of the children in her care and focuses on their individual interests, development and needs while providing high-quality early learning in a natural environment.

“Kelly focuses on ensuring her spaces are welcoming and responsive to children’s interests and abilities. She has an emphasis on providing an environment where natural, recycled and loose parts are prominent. These resources create a calm environment which allows learning to occur through play,” Rebecca said.

Kelly and Angela are now in the running to be named as a National Finalist for the 2022 Educator of the Year award. Four national finalists will be announced on August 9, and the National Educator of the Year will be announced at the 2022 FDCA National Conference Gala Dinner in Hobart on September 17.

Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a Family Day Care educator should contact Intereach on the toll-free number 1300 488 226 or go to www.intereach.com.au/service/family-day-care

Community service provider Intereach has 17 offices across southern NSW, north/central Victoria and the Mallee, with a total staff of more than 460. Intereach supports children and families, older people, people living with disability, mental health and carers.