CLEARFIELD – In 1996, a group of volunteers in New Jersey spearheaded a pilot program, called Provider Appreciation Day, within their local community. This day was met with tremendous enthusiasm by parents and child care providers.
Based on this enthusiasm, they decided to expand on their initial program and make Provider Appreciation Day a yearly event to recognize child care workers in every geographic location.
Celebrated annually on the Friday before Mother’s Day, this day is set aside to call attention to the importance of quality child care, and more importantly, the individuals who provide the care.
Often an overlooked, underpaid, and high stress occupation, child care providers lay the foundation for the next generation.
Work days usually begin much earlier than in a conventional job setting, and daily tasks include the wearing of many different hats. Those hats may include, nurse, referee, teacher, chef, housekeeper, bookkeeper, storyteller, art instructor, and activities director.
The days are long and usually without the luxury of coffee or lunch breaks.
After the children go home for the day, most providers continue their work day, preparing the next day’s activities, finishing paperwork, caring for their own family, or attending classes to further their Early Childhood Education.
When thinking of ways to recognize or show appreciation for the individuals in the child care industry, it is important to remember that without them most other industries would suffer a tremendous blow. Those with small children could not continue in their careers, without the daily help of quality, reliable child care.
Child Care Information Services of Clearfield County encourages all parents with children in child care to take this day, show their children’s provider how very much they appreciate them, and how special they are.
For more information on child care or locating a facility to meet your family’s needs, contact Child Care Information Services of Clearfield County at 765-1546 or 1-800-442-5807.
