After having her son, Yunhao ‘Kathy’ Zhang confirmed her long-held suspicion that she wanted to work as a childcare educator.
“Once I became a mum, I knew that I enjoyed looking after my kids rather than going back out to the workforce,” Ms Zhang said.
“I thought I would become a teacher when I was little, but it didn’t turn out that way when I grew up.”
Ms Zhang opened her own family day care business, Flowertots Family Day Care, in Forest Lake 14 years ago.
She said empowering the children she cares for, watching them grow up, and giving them the space to explore were the most enjoyable parts of her profession.
“I don’t know how many families and how many children I’ve worked with; some of them are already university students who have grown to be such beautiful people,” Ms Zhang said.
“And that makes me feel like I’ve fulfilled something in my life too.”
This year, Ms Zhang, who is registered with the Excellence in Care Family Day Care Scheme, which is a nationally recognised family day care framework, won the Brisbane South Region Educator Award at the Excellence in Family Day Care Awards.
The awards recognise and celebrate family day care, which is often a smaller and personalised version of childcare in a home modelled environment, in which 71,000 Australian children are enrolled nationally.
Family Day Care Australia CEO Andrew Paterson said the recognition of Ms Zhao reflected the importance and value of quality family day care.
“Educators like Yunhao demonstrate an incredible level of dedication and care that makes family day care such a valued choice for families,” Mr Paterson said.
“Her commitment to providing a nurturing and enriching early learning environment reflects the very best of what family day care has to offer.”
Ms Zhang said her coordinator, current and previous families who send their kids to Flowertots, nominated her for the award, and were elated when Ms Zhang won.
“I was so thrilled, because I didn’t think it would happen,” she said.
“Children are very simple, pure, and easy-going, and it gives you the perspective not to overthink your own life.
“I think this is one of the most beautiful things that I like about family daycare.”
Mr Patterson said the organisation received close to 5000 nominations from families, services, and community members.
“This overwhelming response shows the importance of family day care and the impact it has on children and families across Australia.”
