EXCERPTS
This is a very important letter to all of the staff members that support our children at the five Waterloo Region daycare centres that have been recommended to close – in our home we refer to ours as “school”.
I am the mother of a child; a child with some minor “delays”, who has seen the impact that these amazing educators have on our children.
That’s correct, educators. These wonderful people educate our toddlers and preschoolers, as well as comfort them when they are sad, doctor scrapes, rub backs at nap time, provide encouragement, wipe tears, noses and bums, and the list goes on.
We know how hard of a job it is, don’t we fellow parents?
This is, in my opinion, one of the most important investments a government can make – investing in the future, our children.
We know that when we start our children off on the best foot possible that they enter school better prepared with less struggle.
They are prepared for the structured environment and are socialized and ready to learn.
Many developmental issues are also realized early because of the expertise of the registered early childhood educators (RECE) who are guiding them day-to-day.
Because of this early intervention, many children are able to transition seamlessly from one of these phenomenal centres into junior kindergarten with ease.
This proactive approach is tried and tested, and results in less social service needs later in their lives. It’s a proven fact that for every $1 we spend today, we save $12 in the future.
There are facilities in our community that provide loving and quality care for children, but as a community, parents should have the right to the gold standard.
I provide all the love, care and guidance my heart is capable of for my daughter, but I do not have an RECE’s expertise! My achievements as a parent are thanks to the support given to me by my family, my friends, my community and my centre – Cambridge Children’s centre.
On Oct. 8, “Child Care Worker & Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day”, we gathered in the effort step up and recognize these amazing people who have remained silent.
Their livelihoods and life’s work on the line, they have smiled and marched on, continuing to provide an outstanding environment for our beautiful children.
We want to say thank you once again to the supervisors, assistant supervisors, RECEs, chefs, volunteers, resource consultants and anyone else I have missed. All of the parents at Cambridge Children’s Centre will be forever grateful to you – yesterday, today and always.
-reprinted from Cambridge Times