A Lakelands husband-and-wife team has been recognised for their commitment to quality early childhood education and care.
Kelvin and Jess Ware from Ware Bears Family Day Care won a regional award for the Mandurah and Peel region in the 2026 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards.
It was the second year in a row they had been nominated for the award. More than 4000 nominations were received for the 2026 awards.
Kelvin and Jess have more than 40 years of combined experience in the childcare industry. They began in Lakelands about three years ago with the aim of creating a home away from home for children.
“Being nominated for the second year in a row is a huge achievement, so to actually win the regional award is an incredibly proud and special moment for us,” they said.
“It reassures us that we are achieving what we set out to do when we first started this journey — creating a fun, welcoming and engaging environment where children feel safe, loved, supported and excited to learn.”
They said one of the strengths of their service was providing children with both female and male role models and the natural surroundings of Lakelands, which gave opportunities for children to explore nature, discover their surroundings and learn through everyday experiences.
Their service offers early learning and care for younger children, as well as before and after-school care for children aged six to 12, with vacation care available during school holidays.
While many families live locally, some travel up to 30 minutes to use Ware Bears.
“Winning this award makes all the hard work, thought and love we pour into our little service feel worthwhile,” Kelvin and Jess said.
“We are incredibly proud of what we have built and grateful to the families who trust us with their precious little ones.”
Ware Bears Family Day Care is part of the Y WA Family Day Care program, which provides management, guidance and ongoing support to educators delivering early childhood education and care in a home-based setting.