Happy Educators Appreciation Day to the Incredible Team at YMCA Hanson Road! ❤️
It is hard to put into words just how grateful we are for the incredible educators at the YMCA on Hanson Road. What started as a new chapter in our lives when our daughter began daycare on her first birthday has grown into something so much more than just a daycare. Over the years, this place has become a second home to our daughter and an extension of our family.
Starting in the infant room, Layla, Hifa, and Irina will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Layla has been nothing short of amazing from the very beginning. Even to this day, she continues to be kind, loving, caring, and so dedicated to what she does. We absolutely adore her and admire her work ethic. There is something so special about an educator who makes you feel comfortable leaving your most precious little person in their care, and Layla has always been one of those people.
Hifa was equally exceptional. As a mother herself, she has always had such a natural, nurturing way of caring for our daughter, treating her with the love, tenderness, and understanding that any mother would want for her own baby. Nearly three years later, she is just as amazing as she was on that very first day. That consistency, kindness, and genuine love for the children in her care mean more than words can express.
Irina is another incredible educator who deserves so much recognition. She is kind, welcoming, and exceptionally professional. You can genuinely see how much she loves what she does, and that passion shines through in the way she carries herself and cares for the children and families around her.
When our daughter transitioned into the toddler one room, we were fortunate enough to have Asia, Kim, and Belle become part of her journey.
Asia was always so informative and attentive, keeping us updated on anything happening with our daughter and making sure we felt informed and involved. Kim has the most beautiful soul. She is always smiling, warm, and reassuring. Whenever I had questions or concerns about my daughter’s development or her experiences in the classroom, Kim always reminded me that children learn and grow at their own pace and that every child is different. As a parent, that reassurance meant so much to me.
And then there is Belle, one of the sweetest people you could ever meet. She is soft-spoken, gentle, and incredibly kind. You can see the genuine love she has for the children, and the way she welcomes them with open arms speaks volumes about the person she is. She has such a beautiful way of making children feel safe, accepted, and loved.
As our daughter grew and transitioned into the toddler two room, we entered another stage of her development. This was also a time when she began finding it more difficult to leave Mom and Dad in the mornings. Those drop-offs were not always easy, but Ms. Bernice was consistently supportive, patient, and kind. She helped make those moments a little easier, and her warmth has clearly left a lasting impression on our daughter. Even now, our daughter comes home talking about Ms. Bernice and how nice she is. That, to me, says everything about the impact an educator can have on a child.
Laura, Nelofur, and Phoebe were also fantastic educators throughout our daughter’s time in the toddler two room, and we are so thankful for the care, support, and guidance they provided during that stage of her life.
As our daughter continued to grow, she transitioned into preschool one, where she had the opportunity to learn from Patty, Judy, and Sam. Patty and Judy were excellent educators, and we truly appreciate the role they played in our daughter’s development.
But Sam is one of those truly special educators who will forever hold a place in our hearts.
Sam is the kind of person who makes you feel like family because, in so many ways, she becomes family. She is sweet, kind, gentle, comforting, and endlessly positive. She has such a beautiful spirit and is a true ray of light. She always speaks so highly of our daughter, and even now, that love and encouragement continue to shine through.
Sam is knowledgeable, dedicated, and incredibly good at what she does. She has a way of making both children and parents feel seen, valued, and cared for. Her guidance and encouragement have helped our daughter grow in so many ways, and I will always be grateful for the time our daughter spent in her care. Knowing that someone genuinely loves, supports, and believes in your child is one of the greatest gifts a parent can receive. Sam has given us that gift, and for that, I will always be thankful.
Now that our daughter has transitioned into preschool two, we are so happy to continue having Nelofur as one of her educators. She has been such a positive and meaningful part of our daughter’s journey over the years. She is so good with her, and I always appreciate the lovely things she has to share with us at pick-up. It is clear how much she cares, and it means so much to see an educator take such a genuine interest in our daughter’s happiness, learning, and development. Having someone who has been part of her journey across different classrooms makes that connection even more special.
When I look back at all these years, I realize that our daughter has been surrounded by so many incredible people who have helped shape the little girl she is becoming. Each educator has brought something unique and beautiful into her life. Some have comforted her, some have encouraged her, some have helped her through difficult transitions, and others have celebrated her milestones and achievements. Together, they have created an environment where she can learn, explore, build friendships, gain confidence, and grow into herself.
As parents, there is nothing more important than knowing your child is in a safe, loving, and supportive environment when you cannot be there yourself. Leaving your baby in someone else’s care for the first time is never easy, but the love and dedication shown by the educators at YMCA Hanson Road have made that journey so much more comforting and meaningful for our family.
The impact of early childhood educators goes far beyond the classroom. They help shape little hearts, build confidence, encourage curiosity, teach kindness, and create the foundations children carry with them for the rest of their lives. Their work is not always easy, and so much of what they do happens in the little moments that people may never see. But as a parent, I see it. I see it in my daughter’s growth, her confidence, the things she learns, the stories she tells at home, and the special connections she has formed with the people who care for her every day.
To all the educators, staff, and managers at YMCA Hanson Road, thank you for your patience, your kindness, your understanding, your dedication, and, most importantly, the love you pour into the children you care for. Thank you for supporting us as parents, for celebrating our daughter as she grows, and for making this journey such a positive and memorable experience for our family.
We are so grateful to be part of such an incredible organization and community. It takes a special kind of person to dedicate their life to nurturing, teaching, and caring for young children, and we feel truly blessed that our daughter has had the opportunity to learn from so many remarkable individuals.
YMCA Hanson Road has been more than a daycare to us. It has been a home away from home, a community, and a place filled with people who have become part of our family’s story. We will forever cherish the role you have all played in our daughter’s life and the memories and relationships we will carry with us long after these preschool years have passed.
With heartfelt appreciation, thank you for everything you do, everything you have done, and everything you continue to do, not only for our daughter but for every child and family who walks through your doors.
You are making a difference in ways you may never fully realize, and your love, dedication, and hard work do not go unnoticed.
**Happy Educators Appreciation Day! ❤️**
With so much love, appreciation, and gratitude,