THE power of education is what drove Ken Scott-Hamilton into the childcare industry.

The owner and director of Little Learners was recently chosen as WA Director of the Year.

Mr Scott-Hamilton said travelling overseas and visiting slums was what led him into the industry.

“I became aware of the difference that education makes for children to succeed later in life and move out of the cycle of poverty,” he said.

“This was a powerful lesson that has stayed with me.

“Owning a childcare service helped me to fulfil my passion to provide learning experiences that promote children’s health, wellbeing and confidence.”

The director, who has worked in the industry for four years, said being chosen was a humbling experience.

“It is a testament to all of the hard work, dedication, passion and commitment that I and my amazing team of employees pour into Little Learners every day,” he said.

“This achievement would not be possible without the support of our amazing families, our children and the incredible network of professionals.”

Children at the centre spend their days predominately outdoors all-year round.

Mr Scott-Hamilton said children are taught real-life skills.

“Children do their own risk assessments before crossing a flowing river creek bed, walking along logs, and climbing and jumping off trees,” he said.

“They also learn whittling, lighting fires (using steel flints), use proper hand tools such as hacksaws, hammers and manual hand drills and learn how to navigate uneven terrains.”

Mr Scott-Hamilton will visit other international forest kindergartens and attend the WOW conference in Chicago.