Jacinta’s win in care debut

KINDER WINNER: Day care provider Jacinta Robbins with Adeline, 2, Declan, 10, Memphis, 1, and Harry, 2.

Leopold’s Jacinta Robbins has won an award as Geelong and Surf Coast’s best day care educator in her first year as a provider.

Not-for-profit Family Day Care Australia awarded Jacinta the title for her “valuable and adaptable service”.

“My aim’s to create an environment where parents and children feel like they’re a part of my own family,” she said.

The award was particularly impressive considering Jacinta was in her first year of day care, said City Hall’s Linda Quinn.

“We are proud to offer the family day care service and even more proud when one of our educators is recognised for their amazing efforts,” she said.

Family Day Care Australia is the peak industry body for childhood educators running small in-home day care groups.

Under the organisation’s guidelines educators work with groups of no more than four children under school age at a time.

Families can nominate educators for the organisation’s awards for making a valuable contribution to the lives of the children in their care.