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.

Following the resignation of Virginia McSporran, Lisa Joy has been appointed the new Manager Children’s Services at the Shire of Mundaring.

Virginia’s vision and commitment to Family Day Care, over her twenty one years of service, will be missed by FDCWA, as she held various positions on the Family Day Care WA Executive Committee during this time.

Bright Futures Family Day Care Scheme (formally known as Kwinana FDC) is holding a dinner dance on 25th October 2008, to celebrate its 20th Anniversary.

Guest Speaker, Ian Lillico, will address past and current Care Providers, staff and invited guests on the evening.

Any past Care Providers or staff, who would like to attend, can contact Bright Futures directly.