Chai Fong Khew has been named Educator of the Year for her work in day care. 84933 Picture: JOE MASTROIANNI
By LAURA WAKELY
CHAI Fong Khew has always loved kids.
After having four of her own, she realised she wanted to make a career of it.
Family Day Care Australia, the national organisation for day care services, recently named Chai the ‘Educator of the Year’.
It was an unexpected, but welcome, surprise for the Keilor Park resident who has been running a day care service from her home for 12 years.
“I was looking after my own children to provide them the best care and education, you know? So I thought I could pass on and extend my experience, knowledge and skills to contribute to other children,” she said.
The former primary school teacher has just the disposition to work with children.
“You need patience,” Chai said.
“I like to watch them grow and learn in a very good environment. The main thing is that the parents feel they can trust me.”
The kids Chai cares for aren’t customers, they’re part of the family.
Some of the children she looked after are now grown up and off to university and tell Chai she needs to continue her work so they can send their kids to her.
The community-minded resident also volunteers each weekend teaching Mandarin and Cantonese and has no plans to retire anytime soon.
Brimbank Administrator Meredith Sussex said Chai’s recognition was well-deserved and recognised the valuable contribution educators like Chai made to the community.
“The high quality education and care that Ms Khew provides leads to quality outcomes for the children in her care, and is appreciated by Brimbank City Council as well as the families whose children she cares for,” Ms Sussex said.
“It is a testament to the quality of Ms Khew’s work that she was nominated for this award by the parents of the children she looks after.”
