How one day care educator became the best in the Peel

They chose Elissa's family day care, named The Little Bee Hive, for their daughter a year before even arriving in Australia.

"I helped their daughter to learn English while adjusting to a new lifestyle in a new country and was honoured by them asking me to choose her English name.

"It's things like that you will never forget," Elissa says.

"I may remember many of the over 100 kids names who have been lucky enough to enrol here but there are a few who will always hold a place in my heart."

These types of "wins" over the past 10 years are those that are closest to her heart.

But the Mandurah mum has had another type of win this month - receiving a national award for her excellence in the family day care sector.

She was named the Regional Educator Winner for Mandurah & Peel in the 2020 Family Day Care Australia's Excellence in Family Day Care Awards.

"I recently asked my son, 'what does Mum do for work, what's your Mum's job?'" Elissa said.

"His answer is my favourite thing in the world - 'Ummm painting and drawing and gluing and veggie garden' and I'm more than happy to put that on my resume."

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Of her big award, Elissa says she couldn't be prouder.

"For the first time in 10 years, aside from all the heartfelt thanks from families, I can't describe the feeling of recognition for doing what means more to me than it just being my job.

"The Little Bee Hive's minimal vacancies each year really is testament to the child care that families receive here.

"I continue to hear the same thank yous for being a part of children's lives that I did when I first started, so I know I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing."

Elissa, who is registered with Community Vision Family Day Care, is one of more than 13,0001 family day care educators who play an important role in the lives of more than 108,0002 children around the country.

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Celebrating its ninth year, the 2020 Family Day Care Australia's Excellence in Family Day Care Awards highlights the incredible work of family day care educators and the invaluable contributions they make to the lives of children, families and communities.

Family Day Care Australia chief executive Andrew Paterson, spoke to the record breaking 5,600 nominations placed in the awards and the achievements of the regional winners.

"It is a testament to the incredible work coming out of our sector from educators like Elissa. They have gone above and beyond to nurture and support the children in their care, and we are thrilled to recognise their achievements," said Mr Paterson.

The awards also celebrate the unique strengths of family day care and how strong relationships between educators and children, and a nurturing home learning environment, make family day care the natural choice for quality early childhood education and care.

"Family day care provides educators with an opportunity like no other, to form meaningful bonds with the children they care for and tailor their learning environment according to each child's needs and interests," Mr Paterson said.

Elissa is now in the running to be named as a national finalist for the 2020 National Family Day Care Educator of the Year Award.

National finalists will be announced on 7 December 2020, with the 2020 National Family Day Care Educator of the Year Award to be announced at the Gala Dinner on 27 February 2021.