Owen Sound, ON – October 21, 2025, marks the 25th Annual Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day – a day to recognize the dedication, skill, and compassion of Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) and staff who nurture and educate our youngest learners every day.

If you’ve ever dropped off a child at one of the YMCA’s Child Care centres or School Age programs in Grey and Bruce Counties, you know the feeling. You’re greeted by an Early Childhood Educator (ECEs) or assistant who knows your child’s name, their favourite toy, and can likely tell just by looking at them, how they’re feeling that morning. It’s an everyday moment, but it’s far from small. It tells you that your child is safe, supported, and in the care of someone who truly sees them.

Across Grey and Bruce Counties, more than 125 YMCA Early Childhood Educators and assistants show up every day with intention, care, and deep professional expertise. Their work shapes our youngest learners and prepares them for bright futures. They create environments where children feel safe, seen, and supported. They use their education and expertise to spark curiosity, foster confidence, and guide children in building the skills that will carry them for a lifetime. Their work has transformative power and that’s why today we are taking a special moment to pause and celebrate ECEs, their expertise, and their heart.

“Our Early Childhood Educators and child care staff spark bright futures every day,” says Cyndy Jefferson, Director of Child Care. “To all our incredible staff; the care and learning opportunities you provide today shape the children of tomorrow. You are removing barriers, creating confidence, and ensuring every child, no matter their background, has the foundation to succeed. Thank you for all that you do.”

In the early years, every interaction matters, and ECEs and assistants know how to make those moments count. Whether it’s helping a toddler navigate big feelings, encouraging a preschooler to try something new, or guiding a school-age learner to grow in confidence, they do it with patience, skill, and care. Through play activities that build language and literacy, math and science, creative arts, and physical, social, and emotional development, these professionals help children become confident, self-directed problem solvers. These early experiences can spark a love of learning and lay the foundation for school readiness.

Here in Grey and Bruce Counties this work is essential, not just for children and families, but for the strength and success of our whole community. When children thrive, so do their parents and caregivers. When families have access to high-quality care, they can pursue work, education, or other goals knowing their children are safe and supported.

At the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce we believe these team members are not just caregivers, they are educators, mentors, advocates, and community builders. That’s why today, we’re taking time to celebrate their impact, honour their dedication, and say thank you. So, if you see an ECE or assistant — whether you’re dropping off a child, picking one up, or passing by a playground filled with laughter, take a moment to thank them. Their work might begin in the early years, but its impact lasts a lifetime.

As our communities continue to grow, so does the need for passionate and skilled educators. A strong ECE workforce is essential to ensuring that every family has access to high-quality, inclusive, and reliable child care. The YMCA is proud to employ and support exceptional educators, and we are hiring across all our YMCA Child Care locations.

Join a community where your care, expertise, and heart truly count,  apply today.