Alexandra.
Jane Thomas, a Murrindindi Shire family day care educator has been named Regional Winner of the Educator of The Year Award for ‘excellence in family day care.’
Jane has won this award previously in 2013.
“I am still passionate about my job. The award gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling and you never really expect it,” Thomas said.
“I guess in this case it’s lovely to receive public recognition confirming that I am doing a good job.
“It’s … a great thing for the Murrindindi Shire Council team and it’s great for Family Day Care as well,” she said.
Healesville based Thomas has been working with Murrindindi since 2013 and previously worked in the shire more than 25 years ago when living between Narbethong and Buxton.
Describing time spent with children as “…a bit of bicycle time along my porch while I prepare lunch and they’ll [children] then change their clothes, wash their hands and eat,” Thomas said.
“Now we’re more and more into the food growing, the bush, the flora and fauna, we can incorporate this into our calendars all the time.
“Children notice the small details in life. It’s a good lesson for us adults … we tend to miss simple things, she said.
Councillor Sandice McAulay described being ‘tickled pink’ with the award going to one of our [Murrindindi Shire’s] educators.
“I know how hard our Family Day Care team has worked over the past five years to build a strong reputation as a high quality care provider.
“It’s wonderful to see our passionate educators’ hard work being recognised and Jane is the perfect example of the role they can play in our children’s lives,” McAulay said.
Murrindindi Shire’s Family Day Care Team has also been named as a finalist from Victoria (and Tasmania) competing for the Educator and Service of the Year awards against another 149 providers.
The awards will be presented in October.
Text & Images ©COPYRIGHT 2017 Kinglake Ranges News.
