Inala Community House would like to congratulate our valued ‘My Place’ Family Day Care (FDC) Educator – Megan Johnstone – who won the 2015 FDCA Educator of the Year Award in the Brisbane West/Ipswich/Boonah region!
2015 Excellence in Family Day Care Australia (FDCA) Award recognises services that demonstrate a commitment to ongoing quality improvement through strong engagement in the National Quality Framework, and those who demonstrate innovation in educational practice and business management.
As a winner, Megan Johnstone will receive a $50 Modern Teaching Aids voucher and a certificate in recognition of her wonderful achievement. Both Inala Community House and the ‘My Place’ team are extremely proud of Megan and encourage the other Educators to keep up the good work too!
You can click here to see the full list of regional winners from different states.
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Below is our interview with Megan Johnstone who shares her personal journey as an Educator:
Q: How do you feel about winning the award?
A: I have a great sense of belonging, being and becoming to my service and my families. I feel humbled and appreciative to the families that nominated me. It shows that they appreciate my effort in caring and educating their children.
Q: How long have you been working as an Educator?
A: I have been working as an Educator since June 2011.
Q: What do you think makes you stand out among the other Educators?
A: Firstly, my family is extremely supportive of the FDC service in our home. I enjoy my job, my connection to the community, and my passion in this field.
As a FDC Educator, I consistently demonstrate a strong community focus within my centre by participating in a range of local community events. For example, I participate in the weekly story time at the Redbank Plains library, and Indigenous Support Unit at Inala. At the Indigenous Support Unit, children are able to choose their own resources for play-based experiences; and to participate in arts and crafts based on embedding indigenous culture in the early years.
Also for each year since I began FDC, the children have entered artwork into the Ipswich show under different sections, for example lego and recycled arts. All children will be given the equal opportunity to enter, including our youngest one who is 2 years old this year.
the kids and their artwork we displayed at the Redbank Plains library
We have recently showcased our artwork at the Redbank Plains library for the month of August which is amazing. The families went with their own children and took photos of the artwork. In conclusion, I actively seek ways to join community programs that will benefit the children within my care, while working with my families to have positive outcomes.
Q: What is your relationship like with the children you care for and their families?
A: As an educator I am directly responsible for the learning and development of children within my care, and to report everything directly to parents.
My families are an essential part of the team to build learning experiences and the development of their child. They are the child’s first educator and we work together to promote the key values of belonging, being and becoming. The children truly become a family member to me, along with their families.
I also develop routines, schedules and processes so that all children can feel a sense of belonging to my own family. For example, the children under my care and my own children would have a daily pack-up and cleaning routine to ensure that everyone can contribute together. All the children would then enjoy marshmallows as a treat.
Q: What are your work values and practices?
A: Honesty, integrity and fairness. Also in practice, I use the elements of the EYLF as all early years educators do.
Q: What advice would you give to other Educators or aspiring Educators?
A: Have fun, laugh and create some amazing memories for the children you care for, these will stay with them and their families for the rest of their lives.
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‘My Place’ FDC has also been nominated for the Service of the Year award, and the winner will be announced in late September/October.
We thank you all for your ongoing support!
(‘My Place’ Family Day Care is managed by Inala Community House)