Anju celebrates win after being named Baulkham Hills FDC Educator of the Year

Family day care (FDC) educator Anju Dewangan has been named as the Baulkham Hills Family Day Care (FDC) Educator of the Year, being presented with the Susan Sheiles Educator of the Year Award for Excellence last week.

Working under the auspices of CatholicCare Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains, Ms Dewangan has only been in her role for one year, and was recognised for her willingness to take on challenges and put in 100 per cent effort at all times. 

The award, CatholicCare Senior Manager Child Education Services Jessie Counted explained, represents all round excellence in family day care service delivery and innovation.

Ms Dewangan said she was very honoured to receive the award, which she said was both an unexpected blessing and an honour. 

A former chemistry professor, Ms Dewangan undertook a career change after arriving in Australia from her native India. While attending playgroup sessions in her local community, her sense of connection grew, which sparked her to pursue early childhood education and care (ECEC) qualifications. 

After working in long day care settings, she made the switch to FDC in 2018, joining up with CatholicCare in 2020. 

Aside from her role as an educator, Ms Dewangan supports other educators by offering professional development and mentoring, guiding those who wish to start their own FDC business. 

“I feel so blessed to be part of this community,” she said. “It’s not just about my FDC business, it’s about the community.”

This story first appeared in the Summer Newsletter of CatholicCare Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains. To read more stories from the newsletter, click here.