Leanne Dowsett’s decision to leave business banking more than 20 years ago started with what was happening at home.
Her son, who had previously attended family day care, had started school and was struggling with the change in environment and workload.
Ms Dowsett decided she needed to be more available to support him.
That decision eventually led to a new career in family day care. Her son is now 31, and Ms Dowsett is still working as an educator from her Canning Vale home.
She has now been named a Fremantle and Southern Suburbs Regional Winner in the 2026 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards.
Ms Dowsett, who is registered with Nature Alliance Family Day Care Service, said much had changed during her time in the sector, particularly in the questions parents asked when looking for care.
She said families were increasingly asking about child safety, how services operated and what their child’s day would involve.
Cost was also becoming a bigger concern.
“Families are certainly feeling the pressure of the rising cost of living and the cost of childcare, which can take a significant amount out of a family budget,” she said.
Ms Dowsett said parents were also more informed about the childcare options available to them and were taking more time to decide what suited their circumstances.
“Childcare isn’t one-size-fits-all, and I think families are increasingly recognising that,” she said.
Despite those changes, she said the basic expectations of parents had remained largely the same.
“Parents have always wanted their children to be safe, happy, loved and well cared for,” she said.
Ms Dowsett said another part of family day care that was not always visible was the work educators completed outside the hours children were in their care.
Educators are responsible for tasks including programming, observations, assessments, cleaning, record keeping and communication with families.
Family day care is also covered by the National Quality Framework, along with relevant laws, regulations and quality standards.
“There is a lot of work that families don’t necessarily see because much of it happens outside the hours the children are actually here,” Ms Dowsett said.
Her own introduction to family day care came through her son, who attended a local service as a toddler.
She said the experience gave her an understanding of the model before she eventually became an educator herself.
Working with smaller groups has since allowed her to care for some children over several years, from infancy until they start school.
She said seeing children who initially struggled to settle into care become more comfortable and confident was among the experiences she remembered most.
“Sometimes, it is seeing a child who initially struggled to settle into care begin to feel safe, develop friendships and confidence,” she said.
After more than two decades, reminders of former children remain in her Canning Vale daycare space.
A “belonging tree” features handprints from children who have attended the service over the years.
Ms Dowsett was previously named WA Family Day Care Educator of the Year in 2016 and was a regional winner again in 2021.
Her latest recognition comes from the Excellence in Family Day Care Awards, which received more than 4,200 nominations from families, services and community members this year.
Regional winners are now being considered for the national finalist stage of the 2026 Educator of the Year Award, with finalists to be announced on October 20.
The national winner will be announced in Brisbane on November 28.
Ms Dowsett said that after working with local families for more than 20 years, what she wanted children to remember about their time with her was for them to “take away the feeling that they were seen, heard and loved.”
