Educator and employee recognised for 25 years' service with Family Day Care

Educator and employee recognised for 25 years’ service with Family Day Care - 3 May 2016

An evening celebrating dedicated Wagga Wagga Regional Family Day Care (WWRFDC) educators and employees will mark National Family Day Care Week in the city next week.

Special recognition will be extended to Wagga Wagga educator Sandra Stewart and Co-ordination Unit Officer Lynne Rees who both reach 25 years’ service with WWRFDC this year.

Mrs Stewart started with WWRFDC in 1991 after trying to find reliable, suitable care for her own children. Once she started, she never looked back.

“A friend of mine was doing Family Day Care and she invited me around to see how it all worked. It didn’t take me long to realise that I wanted to be involved. I love the kids and get so much joy from being around them each day,” Mrs Stewart said.

In the past 25 years Mrs Stewart has helped care for hundreds of Wagga children and their families and seen the organisation transition. However, Mrs Stewart said the core values and beliefs of Family Day Care have always remained the same.

“Parents are always telling me they choose Family Day Care for the family-type environment it provides. The groups we care for are small, which means we can help nurture and provide more personalised care for each child,” she said.

Last year WWRFDC celebrated their 40th year providing care to Riverina families. The centre supports 45 self-employed Family Day Care business operators to deliver education and care to small groups of children in the homes of educators.

“WWRFDC wouldn’t be the organisation it is today without the fantastic support and dedication of our experienced co-ordination staff and educators,” Family Day Care Service Manager Kym Stewart said.

“National Family Day Care Week is our chance to recognise and promote the important role family day care educators play in our communities. This year it is extra special for WWRFDC marking Lynne and Sandra’s special 25 year milestone.”

A reception for Mrs Stewart and Mrs Rees will be held at the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre on Thursday 5 May from 7pm.

WWRFDC will also celebrate National Family Day Care Week, Monday 1 May to Saturday 7 May, by hosting an artist in residence programme with children and educators. The programme concludes with an art show at the Playsession Park Botanic Gardens on Friday 6 May from 10am to 12pm.