Childhood education a passion for Geraldton’s Aunty Tuti

Early last week, Sri Morgan called her mum to tell her she had won the Mid West and Gascoyne excellence in family day care award for the third time in four years. But when she tried to speak, all that came out were tears. “It means a lot to me,” she said. “I love the children with all my heart.” Mrs Morgan grew up in Central Java, where she worked in the shipping industry before meeting her Australian husband and moving to Geraldton. In 2007, she started Learn Through Play Family Day Care so she could make an income while staying home with her newborn son. Thirteen years later, she still operates the business from her Beresford home; full of toys, photos of the children she has cared for over the years, and beautiful Javanese furniture. Mrs Morgan, known affectionately as Aunty Tuti by her little clients, is very modest. She insists the award is not just hers, but also belongs to her patient family, her parent company Elite Family Daycare, the well-behaved children she works with, and their parents. Mrs Morgan’s husband Steve said he was proud of her. He thinks his wife has a real shot at the national award, to be announced in December. The real winners, of course, are the children who attend the daycare. William Tran, 4, said he had no idea Aunty Tuti was getting an award, but he loved coming over and playing with all her toys.