FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2014

MEDIA CONTACTS
Gwen Schuler, Media and Communications, gschuler@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5160
Megan Marquett, Media and Communications, mmarquett@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5051

Remember to Thank Your Local Child Care Provider on May 9

An estimated 11 million children under age 5 are cared for by 2.8 million child care providers in the United States, which is why May 9 is National Child Care Provider Appreciation Day.

Child Care Aware of Tacoma is giving child care providers in Pierce County a 20 percent discount on training through June 30 to recognize their contribution to the community.

The City of Tacoma’s Child Care Aware program also recognized providers in Pierce County in April at the Spring Gala, which focused on celebrating the work of Early Achiever participants who are part of Washington States voluntary Quality Rating and Improvement System that is designed to help providers better prepare children for school.

“Every day, child care providers have the capacity to care for 19,308 children birth to age of 12 in Pierce County,” says Christine Rosenquist, Director of Child Care Aware at the City of Tacoma. “The children and parents of our region depend on our child care providers. May 9 is the day to recognize the hard work and dedication of these providers and to acknowledge their contributions to quality care.”

The City was one of the first in Washington State to receive funding to establish its Child Care Aware program and continues to recognize the need for highly qualified professional child care providers in the community. Since the City launched it program in 1987, the program has grown to provide expansive resources to parents and providers.

The program provides child care providers access to training and professional development such as the STARS Child Care Basics, Child Development Associate and Early Achievers, and provides parents with referrals to qualified and licensed child care providers.

“It takes a special person to work in the child care field, and these individuals are often unrecognized,” says Rosenquist. “National Child Care Provider Appreciation Day offers an opportunity for families to show their child care providers their appreciation.”

To learn more about Provider Appreciation Day or for ideas on how you can thank your child care provider, visit providerappreciationday.org.