County of Simcoe Recognizes Child Care Workers and Early Childhood Educators

Midhurst/ October 20, 2009 – County of Simcoe Warden Tony Guergis has proclaimed Wednesday October 21, 2009 to be Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day in acknowledgement of the actions and efforts of those in the Child Care field.

“Each year we take this opportunity to celebrate those who dedicate themselves to the education and care of our children,” stated Warden Tony Guergis. “Early Childhood Educators and child care workers play a vital role in the lives of countless children and families across our region. It is an honour to recognize their efforts on behalf of the County of Simcoe.”

In recognition of this day, the County of Simcoe’s Children and Community Services Department sponsored the fourth annual Flag Contest. This contest was open to children 6 years of age and under attending licensed child care programs in Simcoe County, and challenged participants to draw pictures highlighting the qualities that make their teachers special and the things that they like best about attending Child Care. Once again, the theme of the contest was “Quality Educators Create Quality Child Care.” The winning drawing, selected by a Committee of community partners in the Child Care field, will be re-created in a full size flag to be flown at Georgian College YMCA Child Care, which is the centre where the child with the winning submission attends.

The County of Simcoe is the Child Care System Service Manager for the County of Simcoe and the cities of Barrie and Orillia. The County provides wage subsidy to support approximately 656 child care workers working in 137 licensed child care programs throughout the County. To date, there are approximately 6318 licensed child care spaces in Simcoe County.

Media are invited to help celebrate “Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day”, by joining Warden Guergis, County staff and child care workers at the following media event:

EVENT:
What

Childcare Workers and Early Childhood Educators Appreciation Day

Where

Georgian College YMCA Child Care
1 Georgian Drive, Barrie, Ontario

When

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 3:00 PM

The County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.