Ulladulla’s Alison Payne was recently announced the regional winner in the 2018 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards in the Wollongong Illawarra and South Coast region.

“It was really exciting to have one of my families nominate me,” she said. 

“Then I found out I actually won the regional award. I was shocked and it took a couple of days for it to sink in and realise I actually won. Then, it was quite exciting.” 

Ms Payne said the award was judged on the nomination, as well as questions answered by her. 

A Shoalhaven Family Day Care educator for seven years, Ms Payne has cared for several children. 

“I just love being with the kids and having fun,” she said. 

“On a typical day, the children play in the sandpit, do painting, run around, do craft, play on the slide and enjoy themselves.” 

Ms Payne has four children of her own, and cares for babies to school-aged children at her family day care centre, which is located at her Ulladulla home.

Family Day Care Australia’s Excellence in Family Day Care Awards acknowledge the work done by family day care educators every day, as well as showcasing the bonds shared between family day care educators and the children they work with.

Ms Payne is now in the running for the state award, which will be announced later this month. 

This is the second year in a row a Shoalhaven Family Day Care educator has won the regional award. In 2017, Rhonda Di Pietro from Kings Point received the award.