Jonene Harrap of Jono’s Kidz recognised as Great Southern’s best in 2024 excellence in family daycare award

An Albany woman is in the running to be crowned Australia’s best family daycare worker after winning the title for the Great Southern. Jonene Harrap, who has run her daycare business Jono’s Kidz out of her Warrenup home since 2001, is one of 13 WA finalists in the 2024 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards, winning a regional educator award for Albany and the Great Southern on September 24. Not long after having her daughter Tiffany and son Jesse, Ms Harrap decided to pursue a career in childcare using her family home as a workplace so she wouldn’t miss out on her children’s upbringing. Caring for 18 children through day, overnight and school holiday care, Ms Harrap tries to cater to each child’s interests and learning abilities with specific play areas and education programs. She is particularly passionate about nature play and socialising with children from other family daycare centres. Ms Harrap said one of the best parts of the job is the long-running connection to families and seeing each child grow up with some having had multiple children in her care. “It’s hard to say what my favourite part of my job is because everyday holds so many blessings and I feel so loved and appreciated by both the beautiful children I care for and their parents,” she said. “These are my family too.” Ms Harrap said all family daycare workers deserved recognition for what they do. “For me, the most rewarding part of my job isn’t recognition, or being recognised as ‘the best’ because I strongly feel all of us family day carers who have our heart and soul in what we do, deserve the same — we do what we do because we do love it,” she said. “I like to feel helpful in our community, and with so many mums and dads needing to work, or just needing a break, or single dads who need an extra person to be there for their children, I feel the privilege is all mine, to be caring for and teaching their little ones, and relishing in their company and cuddles that melt my heart.” Four national finalists will be announced from the 71 regional winners on October 15 with the winner announced at a gala on November 23.