Patron Mary Kidson recognised in Family Day Care Week celebrations

8 May 2018

Celebrations to mark this year’s Family Day Care Week include an open day for families, presentation to educators, and the renaming of the Wagga Wagga Regional Family Day Care (WWRFDC) hall in recognition of patron, Mary Kidson.

WWRFDC Manager Kym Stewart said the play session hall at the Botanic Gardens will be renamed the Mary Kidson Hall to recognise the work of Family Day Care service founder Mary Kidson.

“Mary Kidson is the patron of WWRFDC and maintains an active role in the promotion of the service today,” she said.

“The hall is a wonderful resource and focal point for Family Day Care where we operate a play session three days per week. It also has a mobile play session for rural villages, with an artist in residence providing a diverse program for children.

“Family Day Care Week is a celebration of the unique education and care that WWRFDC provides through small groups in the home of a registered and qualified Educator.

“Anyone is welcome to come along between 9.30am to 11.30am to the open day on Tuesday 8 May to see how Family Day Care works and find out why more than 180 local children attend Family Day Care every week.”

On the same day, five educators including Maureen Curry, will be recognised for their dedication and commitment as educators. Maureen, who has been an educator for 35 years, estimates she has cared for 162 children in her home since she started with WWRFDC in April 1983.

“I have found Family Day Care to be very rewarding; watching the children that I have cared for grow and become confident young individuals,” she said.

“The familiarity of Family Day Care is important. The children value the constant presence of one familiar person and Family Day Care comes to feel like an extension of their home.

“Many of these children have formed friendships with other children in my care, and these friendships have continued through their schooling years into adulthood.”

Presentation to educators:

Educators to be recognised for their service with WWRFDC:

35 years - Maureen Curry
30 years – Helen Hillier
25 years – Sheryl Simpson
10 years – Shannon Carroll and Rebecca Pollard

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY

WHAT: Family Day Care Week - Hall dedication and presentation to educators
WHEN: Tuesday, 8 May a t10am
WHERE: Mary Kidson Hall, Wagga Botanic Gardens (parking in southern car park off Macleay Street)

Contact Kate Roberts 6926 9133 / 0409 079 663 or media@wagga.nsw.gov.au