The Yellow Cottage staff member joined the preschool early in 2015 and has since become an integral part of the tight-knit community. Her efforts have been rewarded with the Trainee of the Year in Vocation of Early Childhood and Education after she impressed a judging panel of the Hunter Training Awards. 

It was the recognition that capped off a memorable period in her life.

“I always want to come to work which is very rare to find,” she said.

“It’s definitely changed my life for the better; I’m so glad that I took that step into a change of job.

“I wish that I’d done it sooner but then I wouldn’t have come here so it’s worked out well. Being in a traineeship, it’s much better to learn hands-on rather than online.”

A typical day will see Ms Cook help run a transition program for youngsters the year before they head off to school. There is then a different program for three-year-old’s, which is dedicated to their first year at preschool. The Yellow Cottage director Kirsty Hails said the award was an terrific achievement.

“Nikki has been an outstanding staff member, she just never stops working,” she said.

“She’s really made great connections with all the families that we have and the children, they just adore her.” 

Meanwhile, The Yellow Cottage has participated in National Families Week celebrations. 

Each year, over a hundred thousand people and hundreds of organisations celebrate National Families Week – Australia’s annual celebration of families. The aim of National Families Week is to celebrate the vital role that families play in Australian society. 

National Families Week is a time to celebrate with your family, make contact with your extended family and friends, and share in the enjoyment of family activities. Ms Hails said it was a special week for the preschool.

“It was great to take the time to reflect on the critical role that families play in teaching, supporting and nurturing children, and to embrace our wonderful Yellow Cottage families in a relaxed and fun atmosphere,” she said.