Provider Appreciation Day is a special day to recognize child care providers, teachers and other educators of young children everywhere.  Provider Appreciation Day is appropriately celebrated each year on the Friday before Mother's Day. 

Here are some ways for parents and communities to show how much they appreciate their union providers:

Ideas for Organizations

• Call local restaurants, retail stores, and grocery stores to request gift certificates for the child care providers you work with.
• Plan a luncheon or dinner honoring child care providers
• Hang banners or posters
• Ask government officials to sign a proclamation
• Purchase a new piece of equipment in honor of the day
• Provide a scholarship for an early care education conference or workshop
• Pay for a day off so a provider may attend a conference or workshop
• Organize a spa day
• Serve the staff a continental breakfast using Provider Appreciation Day mugs
• Plan a parent/provider picnic
• Have a parade or dedicate a park
• Give each provider an official Provider Appreciation Day logo pin
• Send a press release to your local newspaper
• Invite staff and parents to partner with you to plan a program-wide event
• Invite neighboring early childhood organizations to join you in your celebration

Ideas for Parents

• Get together with other parents to create a surprise
• Send flowers, cards or a handwritten note of appreciation
• Bring breakfast or lunch for your provider and for the kids
• Work with your child to create a special remembrance
• Buy something for your provider's play area
• Give your provider a paid day off, or a raise, or a bonus
• Order an official Provider Appreciation Day logo item as a gift
• Key in on your provider's hobby and buy an appropriate gift
• Check to see if your employer provides scholarships for toys, equipment or training that you can sponsor as a parent

Ideas for Providers

 

Get together with other providers and enjoy some social time.

Purchase a Provider Appreciation Day t-shirt or mug.

Post a flyer about the day for parents to see.

Purchase a piece of equipment for the child care that might make your day or the children's day a little more enjoyable.

Take the day off just for you!

http://www.providerappreciation.org/