(Franklin Square, NY) – This year’s National Provider Appreciation Day is on Friday, May 10, 2013. Started in New Jersey in 1996 as a means of recognizing the tireless efforts of providers who care for children of working parents, momentum and support for this event has grown yearly and expanded to government organizations throughout North America, Europe and Asia.
It is estimated that nearly 11 million children under the age of 5 are cared for by 2.8 million child care providers in the United States. According to Jan Barbieri, Executive Director of Child Care Council of Nassau, “Every day, child care providers care for thousands of children under the age of 5 in Nassau County.”
Provider Appreciation Day is a special day to celebrate child care providers, teachers, school-age program staff, child care center directors and staff, and all who work with children. Locally, Child Care Council of Nassau is leading this effort. They will hold a provider appreciation picnic in July in Eisenhower Park, offer free monthly trainings in emergency preparedness for child care providers, and have designed an outreach campaign to encourage parents and children to express their gratitude to child care providers.
“It takes a special person to work in the child care field and these individuals are often unrecognized,” says Ms. Barbieri. “This day offers an opportunity for parents to show their child care providers their appreciation.”
To learn more about Provider Appreciation Day or for ideas on how you can thank your child care provider, visit www.providerappreciationday.org.
Child Care Council of Nassau, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit organization that has served the community since 1972. Our vision is for all families to have access to quality child care and early learning that fosters successful growth and development for every child. The Council is located at 925 Hempstead Turnpike, Suite 400, Franklin Square, NY 11010-3626, and can be reached at (516) 358-9250, fax (516) 358-9287. The Child Care Resource and Referral line is (516) 358-9288. Visit: www.childcarenassau.org.
