Awards in the Media

The Excellence in Family Day Care Awards play a key role in FDCA’s media and public relations strategy and provide a platform to showcase family day care on a national scale.

See below for a selection of the stories that have been published about the 2026 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards.

*Denotes online content that is sitting behind a subscription paywall.

2 October 2026: Hervey Bay family day care educator Jillian Pace wins top regional early learning award, The Courier Mail/The Townsville Bulletin/The Cairns Post/The Toowoomba Chronicle*

5 October 2026: Tears of joy for top educator, The Shepparton News/Benalla Ensign/The Riverine Herald

6 October 2026: Esperance local recognised with second accolade at national family daycare awards, Kalgoorlie Miner/North West Telegraph/Midwest Times/Augusta Margaret River Times/Bunbury Herald/South Western Times/Busselton Dunsborough Times/Kimberley Echo*

6 October 2026: Lil Monkey’s Nicki Fairall takes out regional gong in 2026 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards, The West Australian/Harvey-Waroona Reporter/South Western Times/Kalgoorlie Miner/Albany Advertiser/Augusta Margaret River/Busselton Dunsborough Times/Bunbury Herald/Kimberley Echo/Midwest Times/North West Telegraph*

6 October 2026: 2026 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards: regional winners announced, The Sector

7 October 2026: Alex James from ABC Central West NSW speaks with Regional Winner Kathleen Bolt (interview begins at 1.15.25 into the stream), ABC Radio Central West

7 October 2026: Baldivis educator Emma Fox recognised at 2026 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards, The West Australian/Harvey-Waroona Reporter/Sound Telegraph/South Western Times/Kalgoorlie Miner/Augusta Margaret River/Busselton Dunsborough Times/Bunbury Herald/Kimberley Echo/Midwest Times/North West Telegraph*

7 October 2026: Geraldton's early childhood educator Lilik Setyawati praised in 2026 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards, The West Australian/Harvey-Waroona Reporter/South Western Times/Kalgoorlie Miner/Augusta Margaret River/Busselton Dunsborough Times/Bunbury Herald/Kimberley Echo/Midwest Times/North West Telegraph/The Geraldton Guardian*

8 October 2026: Vanessa Mills from ABC Kimberley Radio speaks with Regional Winner Elizabeth Stanger (interview begins at 1.06.35 into the stream), ABC Radio Kimberely

8 October 2026: Two decades caring for local families, Examiner Newspapers

12 October 2026: Sylvania educator named regional award winner, The St George & Sutherland Leader*

13 October 2026: 'Melts my heart': educator earns regional honour, Wimmera Mallee News*

13 October 2026: Spotlight on family day care excellence, The SE Voice

14 October 2026: Kids heart of award for Cate, The Weekly Advertiser

14 October 2026: Narrogin family day carer Girlie Joy Vicedo earns top honour for work at White Gum Family Day Care Service, The West Australian/Harvey-Waroona Reporter/Narrogin Times/South Western Times/Kalgoorlie Miner/Augusta Margaret River/Busselton Dunsborough Times/Bunbury Herald/Kimberley Echo/Midwest Times/North West Telegraph*

17 October 2026: 17 October 2026: Honour for dedicated care, The Murray Valley Standard*

20 October 2026: Ware Bears Family Day Care in Lakelands receives regional award for second year in row, Perth Now

21 October 2026: Four decades of experience shape award-winning family day care, The Sector

21 October 2026: Passionate caregiver’s regional award, Shepparton News, Kyabram Free Press, Cobram Courier, The Corowa Free Press, The Riverine Herald, The Campaspe News, Deniliquin Pastoral Times, Seymour Telegraph