Grenfell Preschool and Long Day Care Centre director Sharon Grant has been named a finalist in the prestigious Australian Early Education & Care Awards for 2018.
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With just 116 finalists announced from across Australia, selected from over 1,680 nominees, they are now vying to be named state winners in the country’s biggest early years education awards.
Sharon said she was honoured, yet surprised to be named a finalist with thousands of potential recipients from around the nation.
“I felt a little overwhelmed when I received the email advising me that I had been announced as a finalist in the Australian Early Education & Care Awards, with so many amazing directors out there I felt very privileged to have been nominated let alone making it into the finals.” said Sharon.
The 116 finalists are made of up 33 from ACT/NSW, 33 from QLD, 16 from SA/NT, 15 from TAS/VIC and 19 from WA.
Sharon commenced working at the centre seventeen years ago and became director in 2008. Since then she has not looked back, working tirelessly for the children in her care as well as her incredible staff. Sharon has a handful of mentors that have helped her along the way, one being Patsy Moffitt, a former staff member, who Sharon says has been her main confidante to turn to for advice.
When asked what has inspired her to keep on top of things in the fast paced and demanding environment of childcare Sharon said it was the children, “Seeing the centre grow and prosper is wonderful but it is all for the children and watching them grow and flourish is very satisfying,” said Ms Grant.
A highlight for Sharon during her career at the centre has been securing the funding to establish the Weddin Mobile Preschool. “The mobile Preschool has always been a pet love of mine so to obtain funding for that and to keep it going so successfully has been one of my most rewarding achievements.” said Sharon.
State winners will be announced on Wednesday May 23 with the National winners being announced at the Australian Early Education & Care Awards Gala Event on Friday June 15, 2018. State winners will be selected after being reviewed by a judging panel and will share in over $85,000 in prizes including the three-day professional development event in June this year.
At this event the national winner of each of the four categories will be determined after each state winner has presented to the judging panel their achievements and goals for continued quality improvement and innovation in the early years education sector. On behalf of the community we wish Sharon the best of luck.