State Recognition Events
Governor Jeb Bush proclaimed the Friday before Mother´s Day, May 9, 2003, Provider Appreciation Day in Florida as he did in 2002
The Partnership for School Readiness Quality Initiative coordinated many recognition activities for Florida providers and teachers
Family Central Inc honored providers and teachers in their programs
The RCMA Resource and Referral Family Child Care Network gave official Appreciation Day certificates to each provider
Youth and Family Alternatives Inc in New Port Richie celebrated
First Friends of Orlando awarded each teacher an official Appreciation Day pin
Eglin Air Force Base had a celebration event for over 70 providers and teachers
The city of Cape Coral Parks & Recreation organized a celebration event
The Florida Children´s Forum has a four part statewide plan to celebrate the Day. First, there will be recognition packets sent to child care providers. Second, will be kits for local coalition and central agencies. Third will include a web presence. www.fcforum.org Fourth will be the many activities planned including, for example, inviting all Senators to visit a child care facility on May 10, 2002.
Child Care Resource Network in Daytona Beach welcomed providers to "A Tropical Night" on Tuesday, May 7th, 2002. Providers wore their flowery, tropic print outfits, were greeted with flower leis, entered through a vine covered arch and were served tropical punch before being seated. Staff from the agency served a Caribbean inspired meal, provided entertainment, a fashion show, a hat show and honored providers who recently achieved national accreditation - Daytona Beach Community College Lab School and Imagination Station (NAEYC) and Samantha Noonan (NAFCC). Beverly Smith, Director of Provider Services, told the providers how important they are to the agency. It is the goal of the agency staff to work hand in hand with providers to raise the level of quality care, continue to provide a nurturing environment for children and to work together for the common goals of safe, loved and happy children. The providers departed to a rousing rendition of the "Cha Cha Slide" and were presented with individual certificates of appreciation signed by Jo Sheppard, Chief Executive Officer of CCRN. It was a wonderful, inspiring, happy evening for the providers and the staff.
In the Miami area, four organizations (Family Central, Inc, Metro Dade Child Dev Services, Family Child Care Providers Assoc of Miami/Dade County and South Florida Home Provider Child Care Assoc) hosted a joint picnic for the family child care providers they work with. There was face painting, a bubble station, sack races and many other activities for the children, and door prizes and raffle items for the providers.
YMCA Children, Youth & Family Services, Sarasota
YMCA Children’s Services, Arcadia, awarded certificates to their staff
CCR&R, Inc., Del Ray Beach
Tampa Home Child Care Association distributed posters publicizing the day
Mac Dill Air Force Base
Child Care Resources, Inc., Gainesville, awarded pins and other gifts to the child care professionals they work with
Home Based Child Care, Tallahassee
Corry Child Development Center
Eglin Air Force Base awarded mugs and certificates
Tampa Child Care Providers Association
Naval Air Station Child Development Center, Pensacola awarded pins, mugs and aprons
Panhandle Family Child Care Association Inc., Lynn Haven
Naval Air Station, Key West
Children´s Services Center, Pensacola, recognized providers with official logo pins
Episcopal Children´s Services, Jacksonville, recognized providers at their celebration
Redlands Christian Migrant Association in Immokalee awarded certificates
Hurlburt Field Air Force Base has a picnic for providers, children and families with recognition from the Base Commanders, city of Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa County Commissioners
Youth and Family Alternatives, Inc. Child Care Services is hosting a special "2nd Annual Provider Appreciation Celebration and Open House" on Friday, May 7, 2004 from 4:00-7:00 PM in their Lakeland and Winter Haven offices. For more information contact Julie at juliel@yfainc.org
We serve Lake County , Florida as the central agency for School Readiness Services and Child Care Resource & Referral. We are hosting a Country Western theme celebration on Thursday, May 5, 2005 in recognition of early childhood professionals. Providers from Lake and other counties that serve the children and families of Lake County will be invited to attend the morning program at 11:00 a.m. or the evening session at 6:30 p.m. (to ensure that FDCH can attend) at The Leesburg Community Room. Since providers as liken to “Pioneers” we’ll celebrate with decorations, activities, awards, and a meal for those who blaze the trails, supplying quality child care for children and families. If you have any questions please me.
Youth and Family Alternatives, Inc. Child Care Services in Polk County Florida ivites Child Care Providers to an Old Fashioned BBQ to celebrate National Provider Appreciation Day together. This event will be held on May 6, 2005 at Mary Holland Park from 4:00-7:00pm. Come join us for awards, food, music and fun!
The Early Learning Coalition of Florida´s Gateway, Inc. recognizes providers by presenting them with appreciation mail-a-grams.
Child Care Choice Services and the Early Learning Coalition of Lake County, Florida will host a "Fiesta" style celebration on Friday, May 5, 2006 in recognition of early childhood professionals. The food for this event will be sponsored by Barnhill´s restaurant our corporate partner in the "On the Road to School Readiness" program. Early learning providers from Lake and other counties that serve the children and families of Lake County will be invited to attend the program from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at The Leesburg Community Room Leesburg, Florida. The honorees for this year´s event will be Ms. Ginger Babb and Mr. Will Pruitt for their tireless effort advocating quality early learning opportunities for children and professionals. For more information, contact Calvin Brown at cbrown@childcarechoiceservices.com or by phone at (352) 315-3905.