Geraldton childcare superstar Margaret Yokwe one of 13 West Australians to be recognised with Statewide award

For the past 14 years, Geraldton’s Margaret Yokwe has been running her family day care at her home sharing her love, passion and dedication with every child she sees.

Her qualities have not gone unnoticed, with Mrs Yokwe being honoured as one of 13 West Australian family day care educators to be recognised in the 2024 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards.

Mrs Yokwe, who operates through Elite Family Day Care, said she was in absolute disbelief to learn she was recognised in this year’s awards.

“A friend called me and said I had won and I couldn’t believe it,” she said.

“it’s amazing, it’s a blessing from God.”

Mrs Yokwe said this was not the first time she had been nominated for the award, with eight previous nominations under her belt.

But this is the first time she has managed to be a cut above the rest, which she said was a huge honour.

“I have to thank all the parents who nominated me,” she said.

“And I have to thank my scheme Elite Family Day Care and of course the community of Geraldton.”

Mrs Yokwe was brought to tears when thinking of the support the community has given her over the years and was proud to have given back her love to all the kids she has looked after.

“My first kids are going to uni now, all happy at school with their friends and preforming well at school,” she said.

She said she was proud to have played a part in their lives and being able to watch them grow up.

“I’m going to keep doing a great job.” she said.

Family Day Care Australia CEO Andrew Paterson said being named a regional award winner was a huge achievement and the winners’ incredible work and dedication made family day care the natural choice for so many Australian families.

“This year more than 5000 nominations were placed, which is testament to the vital role that family day care educators play in the lives of families all across Australia and the unique benefits family day care offers,” he said.

“The Excellence in Family Day Care Awards showcase the contribution that family day care educators make to more than 74,000 children across the country each day.”

Mrs Yokwe is now in the running to be crowned Family Day Care Australia’s Educator of the Year, with the four finalists to be announced on October 15.

If Mrs Yokwe is successful, she will fly to Parramatta in NSW next month for a chance to be crowed this year’s best educator at a gala dinner on November 23.

Mrs Yokwe said she was hopeful and excited she would get the chance to make the trip.