NATIONAL PROVIDER APPRECIATION DAY: MAY 9, 2008 

CHILD CARE PROVIDERS TO BE RECOGNIZED

     WASHINGTON, DC— On the Friday before Mother’s Day, thousands of Americans will mark the 13th annual Provider Appreciation Day, celebrating the hard work and dedication of child care providers.

     There are an estimated 2.3 million child care providers working in child care centers, family child care homes, and other care settings in the United States.  These individuals are responsible for the health, safety, and well-being of nearly 12 million children under age 5 who are in child care every week.  Yet their efforts—in one of the most underpaid professions in the country—often go unrecognized.   

      “By applauding the dedication of child care providers on May 9, we remind our communities of the importance of high-quality child care, and let providers everywhere know that we recognize and value their important work,” says Linda K. Smith, Executive Director of the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA), the lead sponsor of Provider Appreciation Day.  “It is important that the care a child receives during the first five years of life be of high-quality because 90 percent of brain development occurs during those years.”   

    NACCRRA, in partnership with the National Association for Family Child Care, is encouraging state and local governments, Child Care Resource & Referral agencies, parents, and others to honor their child care providers on May 9 by hosting luncheons, parades, dedication ceremonies, and other forms of recognition.      

     In recent years, local governments across the United States have joined many Governors in proclaiming this day of recognition.  Around the globe, Department of Defense installations celebrate Provider Appreciation Day by recognizing those who care for the children of military parents living both at home and abroad.  This year’s celebrations promise to carry on and strengthen Provider Appreciation Day.  If you would like to share celebrations planned for this year or successful events held in prior years, please send an email describing the event to This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it   and it will be posted on the Provider Appreciation Day website.

     To learn more about Provider Appreciation Day and how you can get involved, visit www.providerappreciation.org or call (888) 334-7781.