Dedication ingredient for success

Cassie Hornby believes her dedication to the children she works with at an Eaton childcare centre is what helped her win a State early childhood educators award.

Assistant director at Eaton’s Good Start Early Learning Centre Ms Hornby said she liked to think she made a difference to the children who came through the centre.

‘‘I try and make every single thing I do every single day about the children,’’ she said.

Ms Hornby was nominated by the centre’s director, Star Hovey, who said she was a thoroughly deserving winner and was one of the centre’s stand-out employees.

Chairman of the award’s judging panel Paul Clancy said he was impressed by the talented carers working in childcare in Australia.

‘‘As a parent I am reassured and heart-warmed by the narratives revealing how Australian children in the early years are looked out for, guided and educated,’’ he said.

Of the three State award winners earlier this year, Ms Hornby was the only one from outside the metropolitan area.

She will now vie for the national Early Childhood Educator of the Year award in Sydney later this month where she will be required to make a presentation on why she is the best of the five State winners.