May 9, 2008

Recognizing child care providers

Now is the time to say “thank you” to a child care provider. Friday, May 9th, has been designated as Provider Appreciation Day. This is a time to publicly thank a child care provider for the important job that they do. Child care providers have a vital impact on children’s development, as well as having a great responsibility to their health and safety. If this day slips by, I hope you will choose another day to say a special thank you.

Being a child care provider is not an easy job, but it certainly is one of the most important. It is also one of the least recognized and celebrated. There are approximately 2.8 million child care providers of children under age 5 in the U.S. These child care providers earn an average wage of only $8.68 an hour or $18,060 a year - close to the national poverty level.

If you are a parent, think a minute about how different your life would be if you didn’t have a provider who provided quality care for your child. Your child and your child’s future success in school would most certainly be affected.

How would you feel dropping your child off each morning not knowing if they were receiving quality care? Would you feel comfortable leaving them each day? Would you be able to concentrate at work and be as productive as you now are? I encourage you to take this day to show your child care provider how much you appreciate them and the quality care that they provide your child, not to mention the peace of mind they give you.

By applauding the dedication of child care providers on May 9th, or any day, we demonstrate the importance of high-quality child care, and let providers everywhere know that we recognize and value their important work. I think everyone would agree that it takes a special person to work in this field and these individuals are often unrecognized and under appreciated. This is your opportunity to say “thank you” to the person who is so important to your child, to your family, and to this community.

I would especially like to thank the Wells County Child Care Provider Network members who diligently work together to raise the quality of child care in our community. They are a great team, and I am pleased to be working with them.

It is important that we bring attention to and applaud the every day and year round, the dedication and good work of child care providers.

Sincerely,
Sandy Garcia,
Coordinator
Wells County Child Care Provider Network