May 2010
The Eastern Region Family Day Care Scheme is once again very proud of their Educators.  Chris George was awarded the 2009-10 WA winner of the Fisher-Price Child Care Worker of the Year, following on from last year's award to Cheryl Pearce. 

Chris has been a member of the Eastern Region Family Day Care Scheme for 19 years actively promoting Family Day Care in the community, mentoring other Educators and caring for many children (including family members) over the years.
She was nominated by a fellow Educator, for offering high quality care, being an advocate for children, and support to other Educators in the Scheme. 

Chris commenced her FDC service when she had teenagers and said “it’s a great opportunity for people with young children of their own, a great way to earn from home and still be there for their own children.  To those people thinking about putting their children in FDC, it is a great set up.  There are small numbers so there is more attention for each child and siblings can stay together.  We are like one big happy family.”

Whilst some things have changed since she first began working as a Carer, one thing that has remained the same is Chris’ enjoyment in watching children go from crawling to walking, getting their first teeth and seeing paintings go from ‘blobs to stripes then masterpieces”.

The FDCWA marketing committee again joined the many hundreds of exhibitors at the PBC expo to promote family day care as a natural child choice.

The committee chose a natural play theme this year and the display booth promoted the benefit of gardening with children – an activity that many children and care providers have enjoyed.

The committee sincerely thanks Educational Experience for donating the excellent range of gardening toys that complemented the theme.  The free prize provided a great incentive for people to provide their details and whether they were interested in either becoming a care provider or if they may require care.

Over 1300 people participated and Anslie from Huntingdale was the lucky winner pictured collecting the huge basket of equipment.

Nearly 2000 bags promoting the FDCWA web site were handed out over the weekend. The bags contained magnets, flyers and an assortment of promotional information donated by Educational Experience and FDCA. This annual event is a great way of marketing to a target audience and will benefit family day care across the state.

Eastern Region Family Day Care Scheme is very proud of their Carer, Cheryl Pearse who was awarded the 2008-09 Child Care Worker of the Year, State Winner for Western Australia.  There were 8 different categories with 1,335 nominees throughout Australia. 

A gala celebration was held on Friday 1st May 2009 in Sydney to announce the National Winners in the 2008-09 Australian Family Fisher-Price Child Care Awards.  Mrs Pearse flew to Sydney for the ceremony where she was recognised as a State Winner and was treated to a weekend of pampering. 

Cheryl Pearse joined the Eastern Region Family Day Care Scheme almost five years ago.  She can care for seven children at a time and does this from her home located in the Shire of Mundaring. 

She was nominated by a fellow Carer, for always offering high quality care, being an advocate for children, and being willing to work weekends and evenings to assist families with their child care requirements.   

Last year she unselfishly took on two children for overnight care that was originally going to be for a couple of weeks but turned out to be for almost a year. She was also a great help to the mother of the children who was experiencing some personal difficulties at the time.  

Mrs Pearse said she was grateful and surprised by the recognition she has received.  “I was really surprised to hear that I was the State Winner. I actually only heard that I’d been nominated the day before I was told I had won,” she said. 

“I really love the work I do, and enjoy working with children and their parents. It’s great to see the children develop and grow, like when they first start walking and talking.” 

Cheryl, a mother of three teenage children, thanked her family for supporting her in her chosen career.  “If it wasn’t for them and their support I wouldn’t be able to do it,” she said.  “My work has taken over the house in a way, and my husband does shift work so he is extremely patient with the noise created during the day while he sleeps."

"I’m also very thankful to the Carer who nominated me and was a great help and support in getting ready for my trip to Sydney. She is also a Family Day Carer in the Shire of Mundaring.” 

On 2nd December 2008 the City of Cockburn Family Day Care Scheme celebrated another successful year and its 30 year milestone, by holding a Cocktail Party for the Scheme Staff and Care Providers.  This followed a celebratory evening in August with guest speaker Associate Professor, Dr Margaret Sims who provided an interesting and dynamic talk on her early brain research.

During the cocktail evening, Sandra Taylor, City of Cockburn Child Care Services Manager thanked the Staff and Care Providers for their ongoing commitment to quality outcomes for children. Care Providers were presented with certificates to mark the 30 year anniversary.

Sandra said that it was particularly positive that in its 30th anniversary year the Scheme had consolidated its extension into the northern suburbs and continues its overall growth.

Cockburn Family Day Care Scheme will continue its current focus of collegial support within the context of both State and Commonwealth requirements, with quality outcomes for children and their families as the first priority.