Queensland shines at the 2025 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards

We are delighted to celebrate a proud moment for Queensland’s home-based early childhood education and care (ECEC) community. Three outstanding members of Family Day Care Queensland (FDCQ)—each representing one category in the national awards—were named national finalists in the Family Day Care Australia (FDCA) 2025 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards.

We are thrilled to announce that Christina Lee from We Belong FDC was crowned the national winner in the Coordinator of the Year category. This is a remarkable achievement and a well-deserved recognition of her dedication and professionalism.

Why this matters

The Excellence in Family Day Care Awards are the only national awards program in Australia dedicated specifically to home-based family day care. They shine a spotlight on the educators, coordinators and services who go above and beyond in delivering quality early learning and care. Family Day Care Australia, with the support of generous sector sponsors, have been running these awards for 14 years.
This year’s program reflects the sector’s ongoing commitment to quality, innovation and the safeguarding of children, especially at a time when families, regulators and the public are rightly focused on ensuring safe, nurturing, high-quality learning environments.

The vital role of the coordinator

The coordinator role is absolutely essential in the family day care sector. Simply put, a coordinator supports the educators, monitors and guides quality practices, links the service with families, and ensures operations comply with the national standards.
In more detail, coordinators:

By recognising a Coordinator of the Year, the sector celebrates this critical leadership role, which often works quietly but makes a huge difference to children’s outcomes and service viability. FDCQ applauds Ms Lee’s win and thanks We Belong FDC for fostering excellence within their service ranks.

Congratulations to Queensland finalists

Huge congratulations to Christina Jane (Choices FDC) and the We Belong FDC service for their national finalist status. Having members shortlisted across all three categories in Queensland/NT is a fantastic achievement and reflects the strength, innovation and commitment of our home-based care sector here.
And of course, a special congratulations again to Christina Lee for leading the way. Your dedication raises the bar for all of us.

A message for all providers and educators

To all FDCQ members — and to all educators, coordinators and services striving each day for excellence — your work matters. FDCA’s Excellence in Family Day Care Awards outcome reminds us that quality early learning and care in a family-based setting is a valued and vital part of the broader ECEC sector. As the country continues to focus on early childhood safeguarding, quality and service choice, your professionalism, responsiveness and relationship-centred practice stand out.

Thank you for all you do for children and families. Let’s keep pushing, innovating and championing family day care as a safe, flexible, high-quality alternative for families in Queensland and beyond.

Connections that count

FDCQ networking event brings Queensland FDC services together

In a vibrant display of sector solidarity, Family Day Care Queensland's face-to-face networking event brought together representatives from 11 FDC services across the state this week, reaffirming the vital importance of in-person connection in our increasingly digital world.

 

The event, held on Tuesday at our Brisbane headquarters, created a warm and collaborative space where providers could share challenges, celebrate successes, and foster the relationships that strengthen our sector.

Celebrating milestones

The gathering doubled as a celebration for Kath Dickson FDC's remarkable achievement of 50 years in the sector. Attendees were treated to a moving video presentation showcasing half a century of quality care and education, with powerful testimonials from families and educators alike.

 

"This video painted a wonderful picture of a supportive and encouraging provider, applauded by both educators and parents," noted Deb Tuckey, FDCQ's Acting CEO. "It was a powerful demonstration of the possible success all well-run, passionate, and quality-driven services can achieve."

A photograph of 5 women standing in a line. The centre two women hold a bunch of flowers and a certificate respectively.
Kath Dickson FDC service staff celebrating 50 years of service,    with FDCQ's Acting CEO, Deb Tuckey.

Meaningful discussions

The event facilitated honest conversations about the challenges facing Family Day Care in the current environment, with Deb emphasising that while "we are competitors in the market, we must hold each other up if we want to ensure sustainability."

 

Services shared innovative approaches to mentor programs, compliance management, and professional development that are making a difference in their operations.

Cultural connection

A highlight of the day was sharing the stories featured in FDCQ's recently commissioned artwork by local First Nations Artist Nathaniel Chapman. The striking piece visually represents our organisation's values and the profound impact Family Day Care has on communities throughout Queensland.

 

Yolande Pritchard, FDCQ's Office Manager, explained that the artwork emerged from the organisation's commitment to expanding their Reconciliation Action Plan and growing their story. The piece features symbols that represent the safety of women and children, the teaching and learning process, and the nurturing environments that are central to quality Family Day Care.

Looking forward

With National Family Day Care Week approaching (5 to 11 May), the event provided timely inspiration and connection. Participants overwhelmingly expressed interest in more face-to-face networking opportunities, to efficiently discuss selected sector topics of interest.

 

As FDCQ continues to support and advocate for the Family Day Care sector, events like this demonstrate that our greatest strength lies in our connections with each other. By sharing knowledge, celebrating successes, and addressing challenges together, we build a stronger foundation for the future of Family Day Care in Queensland.

 

For more information about upcoming networking events or to access resources discussed at the meeting, FDCQ members can visit the PLACE online community.