Dubbo Family Day Care educator Jocelyn McKay has been announced as one of the NSW Regional Winners in the 2025 Family Day Care Australia (FDCA) Excellence Awards.
Jocelyn (pictured) has been an early childhood educator for over 10 years and has been with Dubbo Family Day Care since 2020 when she established her Family Day Care service, Lonsdale Playcare.
“No educator does this job for recognition, so it’s very humbling to receive this award,” Ms McKay said.
“For me, the most meaningful part is knowing that my families nominated me—it tells me that they value what I bring to their children’s lives. That is the greatest reward of all.”
Jocelyn really enjoys seeing children light up with wonder as they explore their world.
“I feel privileged to be able to nurture that natural drive to learn and discover, and to help guide them as they make sense of the world and their place in it.”
“It is also incredibly rewarding to build such close partnerships with parents and extended family and be part of the ‘village’ that surrounds each child,” Ms McKay said.
Dubbo Family Day Care Coordinator Joanne Clark said Jocelyn is an extraordinary Early Childhood Educator whose commitment and dedication to the children in her care is evident is every aspect of her daily practices.
“The Dubbo Family Day Care team are extremely proud of Jocelyn’s win, and we are all wishing her the very best of luck with her journey in the National awards process,” Ms Clark said.
As a 2025 Regional Winner, Jocelyn is now in the running to be named as a 2025 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards National Finalist. National Finalists will be named on 16 September 2025.