Child building blocks with a teacher in the nursery
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (April 24, 2023) – Better Beginnings, a program of the Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education focusing on giving children the best quality care, will join organizations across Arkansas and the nation to celebrate child care providers on Provider Appreciation Day, which takes place May 12, 2023.
Provider Appreciation Day is celebrated the Friday before Mother’s Day every year to recognize child care providers, teachers, and other educators of young children. This day is an opportunity to amplify the nation’s collective gratitude for those who support children’s social, emotional, and physical care.
“Child care providers are the workforce behind the workforce,” said Better Beginnings Program Administrator Kelli Hilburn. “Their work often goes unnoticed but is vital to the families, community, business, and the economy of Arkansas. It is our honor to recognize and increase awareness of their work and passion for providing the children of Arkansas the best possible care.”
Better Beginnings partners with Arkansas child care providers to increase access to high-quality child care. The program also provides families with tools to identify and find high-quality child care near them.
For more information or ways to celebrate, go to the Provider Appreciation Day website for:
Resources, including a sample letter to request a proclamation from your local government officials, and templates to create certificates or thank you cards for providers, many of which are now available in Spanish.
A video tool for parents and community members to thank their local child care provider.
To learn more about supporting child care providers or about Better Beginnings, follow their social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or visit arbetterbeginnings.com. Sign up for the Better Beginnings Buzz to receive monthly updates in your inbox.
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About Arkansas Better Beginnings:
Better Beginnings is Arkansas’s tiered quality rating and improvement system for child care, early education, and school-age programs that have gone above and beyond the state minimum requirements. Better Beginnings is administered by the Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. Better Beginnings connects Arkansas families with the information and care that helps children experience a safe, happy, and healthy childhood.