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ensuring success in children age 0-5 in hardin and marshall county, iowa

Early childhood blog

Thank You Child Care Providers

Written by Carrie Kube, IRVECA Director

On May 6, the Iowa River Valley Early Childhood Area Board, Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral will join the national recognition of child care providers in celebrating Provider Appreciation Day – an annual celebration that recognizes the work of child care providers, teachers, and caregivers of young children.

“Family child care providers play an important role in educating and shaping the lives of young children,” said Lanette Dumas, executive director of the National Association for Family Child Care. “As educators, they cultivate a warm and loving environment in their home to prepare children for school and lifelong success, often without receiving recognition for the work they do.”

Throughout the pandemic, most child care providers and educators have remained open to working parents that need child care. Unfortunately, providers have been hit hard on a personal and economic front due to COVID-19, putting themselves and their own families at risk to stay in business.

We encourage you to participate in recognizing the important work of child care providers, Iowa's Essential Workforce and say “thank you” to them for making a difference in children’s lives. Child care provides opportunities for families to go to work, children to learn, businesses to operate and the economy to grow. Child care providers are an essential workforce.

Families are encouraged to thank local child care providers by:

  • Bring treats for the childcare
  • Send flowers
  • Make handmade notes or drawings from your child
  • Give certificates for pampering and relaxation
  • Give new toys or learning supplies
  • Add new books to their library
  • Get together with other families to give a special gift


Ideas for Businesses

  • Provide a special hero discount or coupon
  • Offer a freebie or gift card
  • Hang a poster or sign on the window or door thanking providers
  • Create gift baskets
  • Share a “Thank You” through a letter, email, or social media post
  • Donate supplies/groceries for a child care program or classroom
  • Donate pampering / self-care gifts
  • Honor providers as essential workers
  • Adopt / Sponsor a child care program


Families, organizations, businesses, and city leaders are being asked to publicly recognize them on social media using the hashtag #ThankYouChildCare and #ProviderAppreciationDay.

The Iowa River Valley Early Childhood Area Board is proud to support child care providers through consultation services, incentives for quality improvement, CPR & first aid scholarships, and training. THANK YOU to all of our child care providers in Hardin and Marshall County!