The Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care

October 24th 2012 marked the 12th annual celebration of child care worker and early childhood educator appreciation day.

This year our annual award recognizes Ontario community colleges with on-campus child care programs – notably Centennial, Conestoga, Confederation, George Brown, Humber, Lambton, Sault, Seneca and Sheridan. As part of our celebrations, we presented our award of recognition to Lorie Shekter-Wolfson, Assistant Vice-President, Waterfront Development and Dean, Community Services and Health Sciences at George Brown College. For more information about the award, our decision to recognize lab schools and on-campus child care, please click here.

To watch a video of the event, click here.

To download a flyer summarizing our celebrations that day, click here.

We are Passionate Leaders.

This year we had over 600 orders for our free buttons and posters. Thank you so much to everyone who participated.

Many of our partners celebrated the day in a variety of ways. We love to hear about celebrations from across the province - send us your photos and stories!

President of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) Ken Koran released a statement including the following:

“This special day provides an opportunity to recognize the education, skills, commitment and dedication of early childhood educators and others working in early learning and child care programs... The 2012 theme We are Passionate Leaders also highlights the important role these educators play in fostering the well-rounded development of our children and setting the stage for their successes in school and life.”

To read their full release, click here.

Sam Hammond, President of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) released a statement including the following:

“Child care workers and early childhood educators are there for children day in and day out, working in pre-school and after-school programs... Their skills and experience, and their passion for helping children learn, are helping to ensure the best start in life for these children.”

The Toronto Catholic District School Board released a statement including:

Our Child Care Workers and Early Childhood Educators work with the youngest members of our community. They bring a unique set of skills, education and experience to our school communities and daycares. Working in tandem with our parents, school staff and parishes, we recognize the social, psychological and academic benefits they are providing. Through programming, early intervention, counselling and the unique support of this employee group, we are encouraged to see significant improvements in student achievement and well-being.

The Toronto District School Board also put out a statement. To read it, click here.

For a statement released by The National Union of Public and General Employees, please click here.

On Twitter we had posts from many partners, including Minister of Education Laurel Broten:

@LaurelBroten: Today is Child Care Worker and ECE Appreciation Day. Thanks for all you do for our youngest learners! #onted

Dalton McGuinty:

@Dalton_Mcguinty: Today is Child Care Worker & ECE Appreciation Day. Thanks for giving our youngest learners a strong start. #onpoli #onted #FDK

And Catherine Fife:

@CFifeKW: Today is Child Care Worker & Early Childhood Education Appreciation Day. Thank you! You help support families & our economy #onpoli #ondp