Whether they're bandaging scraped knees or teaching children their ABCs, childcare providers are important people in children's lives.
On Saturday 165 childcare providers, parents and supporters gathered to honour leading childcare providers and celebrate the work they do in the community. The sixth annual Childcare Recognition Awards and Gala was held at the Prince George Civic Centre.
Gala chairperson Maxine Van Dyken said the gala and awards are part of a mission to raise the public's awareness of the importance of childcare providers.
"Basically, if you're involved in childcare we all make a difference," Van Dyken said. "We're all here to celebrate, not just the 12 [award] recipients, but each and every one of us. Childcare providers play a vital role in raising our community's children."
The award recipients are nominated by peers, family, parents, neighbours and coleagues.
"The hardest thing we found is getting it out to the general public," Van Dyken said.
It's also an opportunity for childcare providers, early childhood education students and others to network and share common experiences, she said.
"Sometimes this is the only time we see each other, which is unfortunate," Van Dyken said. "[But] it's an opportunity to come together and celebrate together."
For New Face Award recipient Lyndsay Spencer was another expression of the support she's felt from her peers.
"I'm very surprised and shocked," Spencer said. "I was thinking about all the support I've had in my few years in the field."
Spencer works at the UNBC child care program and has been in the field for three years. She graduated from the College of New Caledonia's early childhood education program.
For Spencer, her journey to become an early childhood educator started in a Taekwando class.
"I started because I was a Taekwondo instructor for four to six year olds," she said. "A parent asked me if I was a preschool teacher, and said I should become one. I went back to school and once I did my first practicum I knew this is where I want to be."
Outstanding Out-of-School Care Provider Jean Bowen is an example of the contribution childcare workers make to their community. According to her nominators, Bowen helps with school projects, organizes school slumber parties and helps make children's school experience better.
"I want to say thank you to all the parents are here," Bowen said. "Your children... are a joy to have at my house."
