STAFF at Mitchell Early Learning Centre are celebrating after being announced as state winners in the Australian Family Early Education and Care Awards.
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The awards aim to acknowledge commitment, hard work and passion by outstanding leaders and services in the early years education sector.
Mitchell Early Learning director Courtney Glazebrook nominated the centre in the ‘Service of the Year’ category as a way of recognising the dedication and professionalism of the educators she works with.
“I have only been here for six months and coming into the centre I had fresh eyes on what they did,” she said.
“It was clear to me that the staff were going beyond everyday expectations.”
The national winners of each category will be announced at the Australian Family Early Education and Care Awards gala event tomorrow.
Winners will share in more than $75,000 in prizes, including $40,000 in training and professional development grants.
“Myself and assistant director Julie Chesworth are going down [to Sydney] on Thursday [today] to present our final submission to the judges,” Ms Glazebrook said.
“On Friday [tomorrow], there are staff educators from the centre coming to the gala night to show their support.”
Ms Glazebrook said she hopes the centre’s focus on creating natural play spaces along with providing opportunities for children to learn through play, catering to children with additional needs and working with the wider community will help them clinch the national award.
“They are really looking for something special,” she said of the judging process for the national category.
“For a regional, community based centre to be recognised [at a national level] would mean so much.”