Mrs Hill is registered with Goulburn Family Day Care and is one of more than 18,000 family day care educators who play a wonderful and vital role in the lives of more than 112,000 families around the country. She has been a day care educator for 25 years, taking children into her home and watching them grow and learn while parents are at work. She also supervises three children after school till their parents can pick them up.

“I like to get to know the families and they become part of my family,” Mrs Hill said. “One of the parents who has me look after her children was looked after by me, with her sister when they were children. I look after four preschoolers and three for after school care.

“I used to be like a second mum to the kids, but now I am like another grandma. I love it and I think the kids love coming to my place and now Wayne (her husband) has his certificate and if I need a break he can look after the kids too. I take the kids to activities like play group, and kindy gym has structured learning program based on the youngsters’ interests too.”

Mrs Hill has a mini van that she drives specially to transport the children to and from school and activities.

The National Educator of the Year will be announced at the Family Day Care Australia national conference dinner on September 6, on the Gold Coast.