Today is the 21st annual Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day! Each year in October, we join school boards, municipalities and the province in recognizing the commitment, hard work and dedication of all staff who care for children in our community.

This year’s theme is “Early Learning and Child Care Heroes” to celebrate staff who work tirelessly to support 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.

Regional child care staff supported children and families during the pandemic and were an important part of our response to COVID-19. In Halton, they provided care for the children of frontline and essential workers. Staff provided exceptional support and took all necessary precautions to help protect our youngest residents each and every day. Now that all early years and child care programs are open across the province, staff continue to deliver the same high quality service that so many rely on. There are also many other groups working to provide this essential service in Halton, and I would like to thank those working in community child care centres, licensed home care agencies and EarlyON Child and Family Centres in Halton for your efforts.

Thank you again to all Child Care Workers and Early Childhood Educators for everything you have done and continue to do for children and families in our community. By keeping early years and child care programs welcoming and safe for everyone, we help make 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.