YMCA OF GREATER TORONTO

"You Are Appreciated!"

Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day, October 21, 2025

The messages below were shared by families, coworkers, and community partners to celebrate and thank the incredible people who care for and inspire children.

Those who provide both care and programs for children bring light to every day—they ignite curiosity, confidence, and joy in the lives they touch. We’re deeply grateful for all that you do.

I would like to take a moment to thank my son Alexander’s educators Marvet, Nisha, Parminder, Manjinder and everyone else in the Dolson YMCA program. I truly appreciate all the hard work, dedication, and support you provide every single day, not only for Alex but for all the children in your care. The patience, love, and commitment you show help these young learners grow, explore, and thrive. These children are our future, and we couldn’t do it without the incredible support from the Dolson YMCA team. You ladies are amazing, and I’m deeply grateful for everything you do.

With heartfelt thanks,

From Shannon (Alexander’s mom)

Thank you so much to Georgetown Holy Cross YMCA for taking care of Ellie! She absolutely loves coming to aftercare program and she loves her craft table soooo much! You are the best!!!! Ellie says big thank you!

From Ellie Zabrocki

Thank you Beaver River YMCA educators for helping my favourite people grow, explore, and feel safe in the world. You make a difference every single day. Every giggle, every glued creation carries your quiet magic. The careful prep, the patient cleanup, the gentle reset before the next burst of joy. I notice it all. I value it deeply. And I’m so thankful.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Emily

From The Todd’s

To Etta's preschool teachers Zohreh and Kelisha. And all the support staff plus Ameeka and Amanda from the toddler days I am so grateful every day for the care, teaching and not to mention diaper changing you provide for Etta every day! She has developed so many skills in your class and we feel very lucky and appreciate all the hard work you do.

From The Mendicino/Bator Family

Ms Queenet at Lumen, We are so grateful for you! Our kids know they are loved and us parents feel at ease knowing they are well cared for with you!

Thank you thank you!

From SM and Mom

We want to express our heartfelt appreciation for the incredible care and love you’ve shown to Noah and Gabriel. Your dedication, kindness, and support mean the world to our family. It’s truly comforting to know our children are in such nurturing hands.

Thank you for all that you do — your impact is deeply felt and sincerely valued.

From Sevan D & Family

Thank you to all YMCA educators in the david braley vaughan center. We appreciate all your effort.

From Jaey's family

Afsheen goes above and beyond to enrich and support the children in her program! She often provides items and opportunities to support hand crafts and the child's special interests beyond the curriculum. She truly cares for each of the children and genuinely celebrates their efforts and achievements. Her calm and happy demeanor is such a great example to the children and we are grateful to have her stability and presence at GKPS. Thank you Afsheen!

From A parent to a lucky GKPS YMCA kid

I do appreciate Hazel team. Tanweer, Jerelyn,Riya and other educators do an amazing Job! You are so creative, patient and dedicative. Thank you for taking good care for Jesper. Let him feel safe, comfortable and confident here.

Best wishes for you.

From Jesper's Family

My daughter has a reflection of Ms. Valerie's personality in her. She is deeply touched by Ms. Valerie, her kindness and wisdom. I am grateful to YMCA for engaging such soulful mentors.

From Asma

To all the staff at St. Rose of Lima, thank you SO much for your love, patience, care and hard work! You make our baby so happy!!

From Stella’s family :)

Thank you for all that you do. For being a home away from home for a piece of our heart. It is not easy to part with our little one for the day. But you make it easy, because she is so happy to be with you all.

We know that she is safe, engaged, learning, loved, and cared for while she is with you. We are so grateful and so thankful for each and every one of you!

From Harper’s mom

I would like to recognize an amazing Georgetown St Bridget YMCA team for an amazing care and commitment they provide to the kids and their families every day. I would like to send special thanks to Michelle, Andrea, Marcy and Dianna who are caring for my daughter Krissy evey day! Many thanks to you! You are doing an amazing job and I am very grateful for you ❤️

From Krissy Zabrocki

Thank you Mehnaaz, Amna & Asima for taking care of Denesha. You all helped a lot to make her comfortable in a new environment. Thanks for all you love & care.

From Denesha’s Parent

Thank you Mehnaaz,Amna & Asima for taking care of Denesha. You all helped a lot to make her comfortable in a new environment. Thanks for all you love & care.

From Denesha’s Parent

Thank you so much to the truly wonderful staff at St. Wilfrid YMCA. Your kindness and dedication mean the world to us. It’s inspiring to see how deeply my child connects with each of you in such a special way. I am incredibly grateful for all the love, patience, and care you provide. Words can’t fully express my appreciation for everything you do.

From JASPREET KAUR

To staff of Nottingham YMCA,

Thank you all for all your efforts on a day to day basis. Your hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed and I appreciate each and everyone of you. Thank you for caring for the children and each other :)

From Risa

Sana is very caring, the way she looks after Danika we are relieved. Her kind & calm nature reflects in her behaviour. Danika loves Sana a lot. She loves to read book with Sana, thank you Sana for being there for her when we are busy in our work.

From Danika’s Parents

Thank you to all the staff for your dedication to the children and for helping dual-income families by easing their concerns. Once again, our heartfelt thanks to the YMCA organization and all its workers.

From HAO

Thanks to all educators at Lucy maud for your love and support and care for my daughter Grace ROGBITAN.

I appreciate you all.

From Grace ROGBITAN

We love our YMCA teachers! From infant room teachers Cass, Kayla, Tina and Kelly to our toddler teachers Tammy, Mandy and Romie. Not to mention all the other wonderful people who Maya sees day to day at the YMCA. Maya loves coming to daycare every day & we can see how well cared-for she is. She mentions your names at home on weekends as if to ask when she is going to see you guys again! Thank you for loving our girl and taking such amazing care of her.

Special shout out to Cait for helping us find care for Maya in at St Kateri YMCA. We are forever grateful to you!

From Maya Molina & her parents

Thank you to ALL the staff at Cedar Glen YMCA! We truly appreciate everything you do each and every day for our boys. Your kindness, patience, and care mean so much to our family. It’s amazing to see how much they learn, grow, and smile because of the love and attention you put into your work.

We appreciate all the energy, creativity, and heart you bring into the classroom — it doesn’t go unnoticed. You make such a difference in their little lives, and we’re so grateful for you!

From Alessio & Giordano’s Mom & Dad

To all the wonderful educators at St. Kateri YMCA - we are extremely fortunate to have you in our baby’s life. It will be almost a year now since Krishna started his daycare and you became his second family.

Thank you for everything you do! Forever grateful 🙏🏻

From Krishna and his parents

Thank you for everything you do! Forever grateful 🙏🏻

From Krishna and his parents

We are SO grateful to the wonderful child care educators at YMCA Central Park! Your team is simply wonderful, and it's really obvious how much you enjoy working with children. We can't say thank you enough -- for not only saving our sanity, but for all the runny noses, poop and tantrums that you so gracefully handle.

THANK you for all the love you show to my child, and for teaching him how to be responsible, healthy and kind.

Bobby loves all his teachers!!! 💛

From Bobby, Fei & Aaron

Feeling so grateful for all the amazing educators at our daycare. When my little one first started, everything was new and a bit overwhelming for him. The teachers were so patient and caring — helping him adjust step by step, while also taking time to guide us parents along the way.

Through their thoughtful explanations and daily updates, we learned so much about how to support him better at home too. It’s been such a meaningful journey for our whole family. Thank you for all the love, patience, and professionalism you bring every day — you’ve made this transition so much easier and so much brighter. 💛

From Siyu Ma

Thank you for your great work! Truly appreciate! We so happy to have you all as part of our family. Love all your stuff and excellent job you do!

From Olga

Dear Aurora Hartman YMCA Child Care Centre,

Words can’t fully express how grateful I am for the passion, care, and learning that my daughter receives from you each and every day.

Each of you does an amazing job and leaves a special mark on her growth and happiness.

Thank you for everything you do with so much love.

From Mariela's family

Thank you so much for the teachers at Before and After School, Winter and Summer Camps for our champ. You have been and a great source of joy and provide our kid a sense of closed kit community from and early age. It has also helped him become more creative and active.

From Ayaansh G & Family

Words can’t describe how grateful we are for all of you. Thank you for your patience, love and willingness. Our son goes everyday with a smile on his face and has learned so much from you! We really appreciate it

From Samuel’s Family

These wonderful words from your warm wishes are sure to brighten the day of educators.

View messages from 2024 Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day