Baby room leader Kelly Johnson wins 2023 Western NSW Business Award

Kelly Johnson, the baby room leader at Regand Park Early Childhood Education Centre in Dubbo, New South Wales, was surprised and delighted to win the Outstanding Employee award in the 2023 Western NSW Business Awards at a recent ceremony.

Ms Johnson has previously been recognised as an outstanding employee in the 2022 Dubbo Chamber of Commerce Rhino awards, and told local paper The Daily Liberal that she was shocked to hear her name called. 

Nominated by one of the parents who she works for at Regand Park, Ms Johnson said the nomination and subsequent win was “a nice way to see the work and effort we put in each day for the children”.

“I just try to give it my all every day, and really make sure that not only am I getting everything done within my role within the centre, but also making sure that the children are having a memorable experience,” she said. 

Ms Johnson said she also tries to make the days fun for other educators she works with, and that putting in “the extra bit of effort,” is the key to her success. 

“I always try to give the children the best opportunities I can, and help the families. I do like to make it fun and do those extra little things, and to have little games and challenges to also build the staff morale and keep it fun for the children as well.”

The best part of her role, she continued, is the dynamic nature of working in ECEC, because “you never know what’s going to happen on any given day – every day is different.”

To read the original coverage of this story, please see here