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The theme for this year's Appreciation Day is Let's Rethink Child Care. Together We Can Make It Better.
Ottawa (29 Oct. 2013) - The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is once again joining with communities and organizations across Ontario in recognizing the valuable contributions made by child care workers and early childhood educators to the development of children, their families and our communities. Sponsored by Ontario's labour movement, the day also draws attention to the fact that child care workers are underpaid and undervalued for their dedication and hard work.
Now in its thirteenth year, Child Care Worker & Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day continues to grow. Last year 130 municipalities proclaimed the day and over 20,000 child care workers and 300 child care centres celebrated the day.
Let's Rethink Child Care. Together We Can Make It Better
The theme for this year's appreciation day is Let's Rethink Child Care. Together We Can Make It Better. This theme invites child care advocates to actively participate in a national multi-year campaign to put child care back on the agenda. The Rethink Child Care Campaign is a result of a group effort of Canadian unions and childcare advocates that are working together to highlight the need to put the issue of child care back on the government's agenda and be an issue of the next federal election.
Materials and actions
The Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care (OCBCC) has materials available for use in marking the appreciation day including a Certificate of Appreciation, posters, buttons and an information sheet with ideas to recognize the day.
On October 30, the National Union is encouraging people to print out the certificate of appreciation and present it to a child care worker or early childhood educator as a way of saying thank you for all they do and the difference they make in children's lives. The National Union is also encouraging individuals to visit Rethink Child Care and become involved in the campaign to raise awareness of the crucial need for a national child care program in this country.
More information:
Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care
Putting childcare on the agenda
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE