(Back) Educator Ho Geok Tan and her son Ayven Sii, 2, (front) Mila Air, 2, Ada Marshall, 2, and Archie Jones, 2.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Ho Geok Tan’s backyard is bustling with lively, smiling two-year-olds, a fitting testimonial to the Excellence in Family Day Care Award she’s just been given.
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Abandoned push toys and parked ride-ons surround climbing toys in bold primary colours, from which bright-eyed babes peer and giggle at their carer, as she tells us about her journey.
When she had her first child, who is now 13, Ho found balancing work and parenting difficult, and was not comfortable sacrificing important quality time to nurture her child.
A friend saw her struggle and introduced her to family daycare, where she was impressed by the “warm, home-like environment” in a small group setting.
“This gave me peace of mind as a working parent to know that my child was in safe hands,” Ho said.
“I noticed it made a huge difference in my child’s physical and mental development.”
It inspired her to become a family daycare educator herself, which would afford her paid work as well as more presence in her own children’s lives.
But it’s not just a source of income for Ho.
Two-year-olds Archie Jones, Ayven Sii, Mila Air and Ada Marshall are learning by playing together during their time at family daycare facilitator Ho Geok Tan’s home.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
“I’ve had the privilege of caring for many wonderful children and building strong relationships with the families,” she said, as she gently re-equipped a child at her side with her discarded beanie.
“What I enjoy and love about being a family daycare educator is getting to create a warm, safe environment for children to feel like home away from home, where they can learn through play.
“It’s such a joyful part of the journey to watch them grow, build confidence and reach their important milestones.”
On top of that, she says she gets a good workout every morning, as she playfully chases a couple of the toddlers on hard plastic trikes across the yard.
“I reach my step goal every day,” she laughs.
Family Day Care educator Ho Geok Tan chases her son, Ayven Sii, 2, up the driveway.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The mother-of-three, whose youngest child, Ayven, 2, joins each of the various groups of up to four she cares for five days a week, has been working in the field since 2018.
She took a break in 2022-23 when she welcomed Ayven, but has been back in full swing doing what she loves since the beginning of 2024.
Now, Ho has been recognised for her devotion, commitment and excellence in early childhood education and care in the 2025 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards as the Shepparton and Goulburn Valley region educator award winner.
Ho, who is registered with Holistic Approach Family Day Care Scheme, said she was rushing around with after-school activities when she received a message of congratulations from the scheme’s chief executive.
Confused and curious, she checked her email and saw the notification that’d she’d won.
“I felt a rush of disbelief and excitement; it was such an emotional moment,” Ho said.
“I had goosebumps all over and my heart was racing. I am so grateful for the recognition and trust from the children’s families and the amazing support from the Holistic team throughout all these years.”
In their 14th year, the awards celebrate the role of family daycare and its unique benefits, which make it the preferred choice of education and care for some 50,000 Australian families with more than 71,000 children enrolled.
Almost 5000 nominations were received from families, services and community members this year.
“This overwhelming response shows the importance of family day care and the impact it has on children and families across Australia,” Family Day Care Australia chief executive Andrew Paterson said.
As a regional award winner, Ho is now in the running to be named a national finalist for the 2025 Educator of the Year Award.
Four finalists will be announced on September 16, with the winner crowned on October 25 at the FDCA 2025 National Conference Gala Dinner in Melbourne.
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