BGC Okanagan celebrates Child Care Appreciation Day
The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Okanagan is asking communities to take pause on Child Care Appreciation Day (May 21) to recognize the essential services that child care providers have given to make a difference in children’s lives.
“We want to acknowledge the outstanding work and support our staff have given to Okanagan families. What I am most proud of is how we have continued to offer services to children, youth and families since the pandemic started. We never closed our doors and I am proud of our staff’s adaptability to uncertain times and the dedication they have shown to the families we serve,” said Jeremy Welder, CEO of BGC Okanagan. “This year has been the hardest we have had to face and every day I am reminded of how amazing our staff are from the stories and feedback we receive from our families around the Okanagan.”
Welder added Club member testimonials come from all BGC Okanagan streams (early years, middle years, youth and family) about how grateful they are that the staff are providing essential services to Okanagan communities.
“The BGC Okanagan staff were people I could talk to, trust, release stress and frustrations,” said one parent testimonial. “They offered support, advice, parenting tips, suggestions of local programs that the children could get involved in and even programs for myself. Without their help, support, and understanding I honestly don’t know how I would have made it through the most stressful time of my life.”
May was proclaimed Child Care month by the B.C. government to celebrate the work of thousands of caring and committed child-care operators and early childhood educators throughout the province.
As a leading provider of child care programs, the caring BGC Okanagan staff take charge of programming that aims to enrich the lives of children in safe and inclusive environments. This includes daycare, before and after school care, recreation programs, youth programs, parenting and family programs, virtual programs and more.
“We consider our staff essential, even before the pandemic, because they are invested in providing respectful, inclusive and engaging environments that create a solid foundation for a child’s success. Child care staff are also a vital support for parents, who can go to work every day knowing that their child is well taken care of,” said Welder.
BGC Okanagan is encouraging parents and guardians of children who use child care providers to show their support by sending their child care worker a handwritten note, or show their appreciation via social media and use #BGCOkanagan.