Barbara Wallisch recognised in National Family Day Care Awards

Family day care (FDC) Educator Barbara Wallisch, who lives on the Central Coast of New South Wales, has been announced as one of 69 regional educators selected in the 2021 Family Day Care Australia Excellence in Family Day Care Awards.

Ms Wallisch, who is registered with Coastwide FDC and is also a foster carer, has looked after more than 50 children over the past 28 years and has been working in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector since 2016. 

A friend suggested that she enter the sector after many years of working as a registered nurse. 

“I love it; I really enjoy the work,” she told local publication Coast Community News.

“I usually look after the children until they go to preschool and have cared for dozens over the past five years.”

The Family Day Care Australia Excellence in Family Day Care Awards are the only national awards dedicated specifically to recognising the work and achievements of the 12,000-strong community of family day care educators across Australia.

Celebrating its 10th year, the 2021 awards highlight the care provided to more than 93,000 children in home based learning environments across the country.

“FDC offers a career like no other; our qualified educators run their own small business from home, combining their passion for early childhood education with the opportunity to build a flexible, rewarding and secure financial future,” Family Day Care Australia Chief Executive Officer Andrew Paterson said.

“We think that’s pretty special.”

Ms Wallisch is now in the running to be named as one of four national educator finalists, to be announced on October 26.

The national finalists will then attend the 2021 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards presentation early in 2022, where the National Educator of the Year will be named.

Learn more about the Awards here.