Celebrating Provider Appreciation Day

Child care plays a vital role in the early education and care of our nation’s children. This is especially important given that the early years of a child’s life are the most critical for development. We know that children who receive high-quality child care benefit throughout their lives. However, despite the importance of high-quality child care, the child care workforce earns far less than they should, an average of $19,510 a year.

On May 12, Child Care Aware® of America celebrates Provider Appreciation Day, in conjunction with our partners, National Association of Family Child Care, National Association for the Education of Young Children, National Head Start Association, National Indian Child Care, TeachStone and the Afterschool Alliance. On this day we honor those who nurture, teach, and care for children in multiple settings across the country; however, it is important that we recognize these individuals year-round for the critical role they serve in providing high-quality child care.

Child Care Aware® of America has joined with partners to recognize the outstanding child care workforce on a monthly basis who exemplify extraordinary qualities and characteristics.

Here are just a few of the child care providers who have been recognized as Provider of the Month over the past year:

• Julie Hume and Kind Hearts Day Care
• Tessie Ragan and Perfect Start Learning
• Tarra Stangl and The Growing Patch

Nominate a Provider

Do you know an outstanding early childhood educator who is deserving of the Provider of the Month award? Visit www.providerappreciationday.org for details on how to nominate them, and help Child Care Aware® of America and partner organizations honor those who go above and beyond every day!

Take Action: Ensure High-Quality Child Care Remains a Priority for the New Administration

Explore our 2016–2017 Public Policy Agenda to learn more about how child care provider training and compensation is directly linked to high-quality child care. We also urge you to visit www.childcareworks.org to join our movement and take action by sending an email to your elected official and telling them to pass important child care legislation.