For more information, contact:
Kristina Gawrgy
202-350-8857
kgawrgy@naeyc.org
For Immediate Release
May 7, 2009
Provider Appreciation Day Recognizes Work of
Child Care Providers
(Washington, D.C.) – The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) supports the child care organizations and parents across the globe who will be joining together on the Friday before Mothers’ Day, May 8, 2009, to celebrate Provider Appreciation Day.
Provider Appreciation Day is a day to recognize the importance of child care teachers and staff who provide care and early learning to young children. Child care organizations across the country are hosting celebrations to recognize the role child care teachers play in nurturing and supporting young children's learning and development. It is estimated that there are nearly 2.8 million child care providers in the United States and that nearly 12 million children under age 5 are in their care.
"Early childhood educators deserve much more than just our appreciation for the integral role they play in the quality of education and care our children receive,” said Mark Ginsberg, Ph.D., executive director of NAEYC. "The early years are a critical time in children's growth and development, and child care teachers play a crucial role in preparing young children to succeed in school, work and life."
According to the National Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2006, child care workers made about $17,630 a year, significantly less than the average salary of all Americans at $32,390. Despite a challenging set of responsibilities and low wages, child care providers continue to supply one of the greatest resources to our communities, families and young children. Their success is also important to this country’s economic recovery and success and NAEYC not only wishes to give them our appreciation, but our endless gratitude for the work they do.
Started in 1996 by a group of volunteers in New Jersey, Provider Appreciation Day is appropriately celebrated each year on the Friday before Mother's Day. The day is jointly sponsored by National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) and the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC).
Founded in 1926, the National Association for the Education of Young Children has nearly 90,000 members worldwide. The association is the largest and most influential voice for early childhood education professionals and the field of early childhood education in the United States
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Founded in 1926, the National Association for the Education of Young Children is the largest and most influential advocate for high-quality early care and education in the United States.
