TWO Shellharbour early childhood professionals will represent the region in the finals for a state award.
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The Australian Family Early Education and Care Awards recently announced the 26 finalists for ACT and NSW.
Included were Oak Flats’ Marie Armstrong-Smith of Early Years Care, for the Director of the Year category, and Wallaroo Children’s Centre, Blackbutt, in the Service of the Year category.
The awards celebrate “the commitment, hard work and passion by outstanding leaders and services” in communities around the country.
The awards include various sectors of the early childcare industry including long day care (private and community), family day care, occasional care, kindergarten, early learning centres and school-age care groups.
Director Wallaroo and part of Illawarra Area Childcare Lisa Booth said they were “very honoured and grateful” to be nominated.
“One of our 120 families had nominated us and one of our educators which was a big surprise,” she said.
“This is what we pride ourselves, the relationships we have we have with our families and the wider community.
“It is something we feel is strength of ours. Recently we held a big benefit for one our children who has cancer, which really brought the families and the community together.
“We have a great relationship with the nursing home down the road and have a community garden and we have regular events for our families that don’t have extended family here.
“It’s making a real community within the community service.”
Each finalist will now need to demonstrate their achievements in five key areas and the judges will reveal the state winners on June 8. National winners in each category will be announced on Friday, June 19.