Roslyn Humbles with children from her day care; Amalia Mallins and Ada Johnstone. Photos: Supplied.
Esperance local Roslyn Humbles has been named a National Finalist in the 2024 Family Day Care Australia Excellence in Family Day Care Awards.
Earlier this year, Ms Humbles, who is an educator for Wanslea Regional family Day Care, won the Excellence in Family Day Care award for Kalgoorlie, Goldfields and Esperance.
She will be one of four finalists in the running to be named 2024 National Educator of the Year.
A Family Day Care Australia spokesperson said Ms Humbles was awarded for her dedication to her role in the family day care sector which she had been working in for 24 years.
“Roslyn has been recognised for providing outstanding early childhood education and care, and for the impact on the children in her care, their families and local community,” they said.
Ms Humbles said the recognition had been totally unexpected.
“I was a bit surprised, and a bit taken a back,” she said.
Ms Humbles was nominated for the award by the parents of the children she cares for. Providing a family day care service in Esperance is something Ms Humbles said she was grateful to do.
“Family day care to me is about being able to give families another option,” she said.
“Every kid is different, and parents want to be able to make a choice.”
Ms Humbles said family day care allowed kids to be cared for on a more personal level.
“Its small group care rather than big group care. It allows for a stronger attachment and the ability to nurture,” she said.
“You can really get to know your families and your kids.”
A lack of services and young workers has day carers like Ms Humbles concerned for the future of the day care industry in Esperance.
“There’s an opportunity in Esperance for anyone with childcare qualifications to go into family day care,” she said.
“There needs to be choice for parents, and we need to be succession planning for the next day carers to come through.”
The National Educator of the Year will be announced on 23 November 2024 at the FDCA Excellence in Family Day Care Awards Gala Dinner in Sydney.
