Special to Iredell Free
Iredell County Partnership for Young Children will join community organizations across the country in observing Provider Appreciation Day on May 10 to celebrate the efforts of local child care providers.
Provider Appreciation Day is celebrated the Friday before Mother’s Day every year to recognize child care providers, teachers and other educators of young children everywhere. This day is an opportunity to amplify our nation’s collective gratitude for those who support the social, emotional and physical care of our youngest children.
“Child care providers are the workforce behind our workforce, while also keeping our children safe, nurturing their curiosity and preparing them for a lifetime of learning and growth,” said Susan Gale Perry, CEO of Child Care Aware of America. “Alongside our network of child care resource and referral agencies, and nonprofit and business partners, we invite you to join us in thanking and celebrating child care providers across the nation.”
The Iredell County Partnership for Young Children (ICPYC) strives to ensure that children from birth to age five are getting what they need early in life to thrive by providing services focused on raising the quality of early care and education, supporting families, advancing child health, and expanding early literacy. A large part of their mission is dedicated to advocating for and supporting the early childhood workforce.
Provider Appreciation Day was started in 1996 by a group of volunteers in New Jersey, who saw the need to recognize the tireless efforts of providers who care for children of working parents. Support for this event has grown each year and recognition presently includes Child Care Resource & Referral agencies, child care advocates, community-based organizations, government entities, business leaders, families, and individuals throughout the United States, proudly convened by Child Care Aware of America.
The Provider Appreciation Day website, providerappreciation.org includes:
♦ Ideas for celebration;
♦ Resources, including a sample letter to request a proclamation from your local government officials, and
templates to create certificates or thank you cards for providers, many of which are now available in Spanish; and
♦ A video tool for parents and community members to thank their local child care provider.
Join in the virtual celebration on social media using #ThankYouChildCare.
About ICPYC
The Iredell County Partnership for Young Children is a 501 (c)(3), nonprofit organization, dedicated to measurably increasing learning and healthy development of children birth to age five in Iredell County. ICPYC provides services focused on raising the quality of early care and education, supporting families, advancing child health, and expanding literacy. For more information, call (704) 878-9980 or visit http://www.iredellsmartstart.org/. ICPYC is located at 734 Salisbury Road in Statesville.