The crew from Little Wonders Early Learning Centre are definitely doing something right.
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All seven educators from the Albion Park Rail centre have been nominated in this year’s Australian Family Early Education and Care Awards.
Cassandra Smith, who has been nominated in the director of the year category, said focusing heavily on inclusional needs and having a ‘’real play environment’’ made Little Wonders Early Learning Centre stand out from the pack.
‘’Our strength I believe is having a strong focus on inclusional needs,’’ Ms Smith said.
‘’We recognise that there is a strong need throughout the local community to educate parents and children with additional needs and inclusional needs….for special needs and cultural needs as well.
‘’We have been really intense on making sure that everyone feels welcome and included in the centre.
‘’We also make sure we are connecting with local community services such as our inclusion support agencies, our local community members as well as other community services such as speech pathologists and behavioural psychologists.
‘’Feedback we’ve received from parents indicates they really appreciate the extra steps we take.
‘’They also appreciate the fact that we are a centre that reuses and recycles a lot of our waste, materials and resources.
‘’The kids on the other hand like the fact we have natural playscapes – real grass, real plants, trees and mud.’’
Jade Brumby, Rebecca Dun, Danielle Gehrmann and Keely Walsh have been nominated in the educator of the year category, while Brittany Caires and Sarah Kras are up for the rising star of the year title.
Little Wonders Early Learning Centre is also nominated for service of the year, as is Blue Cove Early Learning Centre in Shell Cove.
This year the Australian Family Early Education and Care Awards enters its 13th year and accepts nominations from family, friends, colleagues and parents with children in care in four categories.
‘’The awards are a wonderful opportunity to thank that special someone who play a pivotal role in the early stages of your child’s life,’’ Australian Family managing director Paul Clancy said.
