October 22 is Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day, a day that recognizes the commitment, hard work and dedication of all staff who work with young children. 2020 marks the 20th anniversary of the Appreciation Day in Ontario and I’m pleased to join school boards, municipalities and the province in recognizing the staff who care for children in our community.
This year’s theme is “Rising Up!" to support staff who are facing many challenges in today’s early years and child care sector including COVID-19. Staff have risen to these circumstances and continue to work tirelessly to care for children in Halton and across Ontario. Their efforts provide an enriched early learning environment that nurtures and fosters each child's development by providing the highest quality programs in an inclusive setting.
In Halton, Regional child care staff have supported children and families during the pandemic and were an important part of our response to COVID-19, providing care for the children of those working on the frontline. Staff provided exceptional support and took all necessary precautions to help protect our youngest residents each and every day. Now that early years and child care programs have reopened in the province, our staff continue to deliver the same high standard of service while continuing to keep the children in their care healthy. Thank you to all our staff for your efforts and everything you continue to do to keep our centres a welcoming place for everyone. I encourage you to read the Celebration Tips from the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care to help you celebrate this Appreciation Day at home and in our workplace.
Thank you again to all Child Care Workers and Early Childhood Educators for everything you do to support children and families in our community. Together, we keep Halton a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire. To learn more about Halton Region’s child care centres, please visit halton.ca.
