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YMCA OF GREATER TORONTO

"You Are Appreciated!"

Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day, October 21, 2026

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.

Toddler standing outside doing finger painting.
To all the amazing teachers at Central Park YMCA,
Thank you so much for all the love, care, and patience you give to our little boy every day. ❤️
We truly appreciate everything you do to make him feel safe, happy, and cared for. It means so much to us as parents to know that he is in such good hands. Thank you for all the little things you do, even the things we may not always see.
We are so grateful to have such wonderful teachers taking care of him! 💕
From Stanley's Family
To our favourite educators at the “Y” at Prince Albert. We are so thankful for you, morning and evening! You make my work schedule much easier to navigate and I love that my child does not want to leave. Thank you for teaching them and bringing them happiness!!
All the best this year!
From Karley
Two adults with kid inside a vehicle, smiling.
It takes a very special person to nurture and guide such young minds. Thank you for creating a safe, loving, and fun environment where ewaan can learn and grow."
From Ewaan Benzema and family
Small child sitting on carpet, leaning forward playing with colourful items in a clear jar.
I’ve been going to YMCA daycare ever since I was little. Now that I am a mother, I immediately knew where my son was going. The staff were always so kind and caring, and I am glad my son will get to experience what I did when I was his age. I get to go through my day knowing my son is in good hands.
Thank you to all the staff that were there for me and now Arys!
From Kiana and Arys <3
We cannot say enough good things about Ruth. She is a wonderful educator, caregiver, and friend. We are blessed to have her caring for our child.
From The Revell-Spence's
To the Team at Joseph Gould YMCA: Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are all amazing Educators, and I am so proud of the kind and nurturing atmosphere that you offer the wonderful children and families in our little community. I hope you know how appreciated you are each day for the commitment you have to helping guide children and create successful programs. You are rockstars!
From Jennifer Fraser
Thank you NORMAN G POWERS YMCA! You all give us such peace of mind, knowing Rowan is having fun and making friends.
From Jennifer, Nick, Rowan and Rhett
Thank you to all the educators at YMCA Father Fenelon! We greatly appreciate all that you do for our kids and making their experience in daycare & before/after care so positive. We feel lucky to have you all.
From Greg, Deanna, Beau & Layne Smith
Beyond grateful for the incredible teams at Brownridge, Charlton and Yorkhill YMCA! 💙
I want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate each of our amazing educators for the incredible work you do each and every day.
Every day, you create a safe, welcoming, and nurturing environment where children feel valued, supported, and encouraged to learn, explore, and grow. The dedication and care you bring into your classrooms, along with the way you support one another as a team, makes such a meaningful difference in each child’s day.
As a team, you create countless moments that may seem small, but leave a lasting impact on the children and families we serve. I am incredibly grateful for everything you do—not only for our children and families, but also for one another.
Thank you for being such an important part of our Brownridge YMCA team and for helping make our programs a place where children feel safe, loved, supported, and inspired to thrive.
Wishing you all a very happy Child Care Worker Appreciation Day! 🌟
You are truly appreciated, and the work you do does not go unnoticed. Thank you for everything you bring to our team each and every day! 💙
From Amanda Magolas
Five adults pose for a picture with a graduating preschooler holding a certificate.
Thank you to all the educators at Dr Roberta Bondar Ajax. You have all played a part in nurturing and educating Mason through his days in the toddler room and preschool. He loved his time there, from engaging in fun and unique learning experiences, building friendships and connecting with all the educators.
Thank you for all that you have done for Mason and continue to do for all the children in your care.
From Mason G & Family
For the past ten years, I have had the pleasure of working along-side many amazing educators within the YMCA of Greater Toronto. I have also been blessed to share my beautiful babies with some of these wonderful people. From caring for my first born as a toddler, preschooler and now a grown boy. From loving my second infant and helping him grow into a toddler, a preschooler and now a Kindergarten. I have had the opportunity to share my career, and my family with the YMCA and I couldn't be happier. This organization makes everyone feel welcome, heard and appreciated. I can't thank everyone enough for caring for my babies, and for the opportunities the Y has given me. I also can't forget all the friendships I've made along the way!
From Kat Robertson
To the staff at St. Anthony of Padua Before and After School Program,
Thank you for everything you do each day! Your dedication, energy, and support mean so much.
We appreciate all that you do! 💙
Happy Child Care Worker & Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day!
From Luca Sirizzotti, Nicole and Adam
A BIG shoutout to the team at St Kateri! Both my babies have attended their centre, and I am always so appreciative of the loving and fun environment they create for all of the children in their care. You are all rockstars and deserve to be celebrated every day of the year.
From Jennifer, Nick, Rowan and Rhett
My daughter just started JK but she still loves to see her educators from YMCA Kennedy Circle/St.Veronica as her brother still attends! Thank you all so much for helping my introverted children feel safe, comfortable and happy!
From Carlos Family :)
Two adults, two children outdoors with a lake behind them.
Happy Educator Appreciation Day to our wonderful YMCA educators! ❤️
I just wanted to take a moment to say a very big THANK YOU to all the educators especially Bhavna, Monica, Vivian, Carlin, Rizvana and Reina for all the love, care, patience, and encouragement you give to our little David every day.
When our baby first started daycare as an infant, it was not easy for him in the beginning. Like any little baby, he cried and needed some time to adjust. But with the love and care he received, especially from Bhavna, Monica, and Vivian, his transition became so much smoother than I could have hoped for. Bhavna was especially encouraging and reassuring, and that meant so much to me as a mom.
One thing I really appreciate about all of you is that you don’t just care for him—you genuinely notice him. Even without me asking, you would tell me about his day: whether he played, whether he cried, what his mood was like, how he ate, and all those little details that a parent wants to know. Those small conversations gave me so much peace and made me feel that he was truly being cared for and not just “looked after.”
Even after moving to the toddler room recently, he has been so happy. He may have a little cry in the morning sometimes, but whenever I come to pick him up, he is usually so happy and excited. And one of the sweetest things is that when I say Bhavna, Monica, Vivian, Carlin or Rizvana he smiles and even tries to say your names. 🥹❤️ That tells me so much about how comfortable and loved he feels with you.
And I have to mention his eating! 😂 He is such a good eater, and you have always been so patient and happy to feed him. You never make me feel like he is a burden because he wants to eat more. I really appreciate that kindness.
I also want to especially mention Reina. Every time I see her with the children, she is smiling, happy, warm, and so welcoming. There is something really comforting about seeing an educator who seems genuinely happy to be around the children. Whenever I have had a concern or simply wanted someone to understand me personally as a mom, I have always felt comfortable going to Bhavna or Reina. They have both made me feel heard, understood, and supported, and I am truly grateful for that.
I also want to say something about all the other educators and staff at the centre. Even though I don’t know everyone’s names, every person I have met has been so friendly, warm, and comforting. What touches me is that so many of them know my son’s name and genuinely ask about him when they see us. Those little moments really stand out to me as a parent. It shows how much care and attention the children receive from the whole team, not just from the educators in their own room.
From everything I have seen, the entire staff at the facility is doing such an amazing and meaningful job caring for the children. You are not only providing childcare—you are creating a place where children can feel safe, loved, comfortable, and happy while they are away from their families. That is such an important service, and I truly appreciate the work every member of the team does each day.
As a mom, leaving your child in someone else’s care is never easy. But you have made that experience so much easier for me. Thank you for all the little things you do every day—the feeding, comforting, encouraging, playing, observing, communicating, and simply being there for him with happy hearts.
Thank you for loving and caring for our little one so well. We are truly grateful for each one of you, and we feel blessed that he has had such wonderful educators during these important early years.
May God bless each of you abundantly for the love and kindness you pour into the children every single day. ❤️🙏
Happy Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day!
You are appreciated more than you know! 💕
From Renjini (David’s Mom)
YMCA Fleming has such an amazing group of educators. From the jump, they cared for my daughter and taught her a lot. My daughter has since grown so much - in speech, motor skills and the like. I am so thankful to Frances for helping me get Chanelle in as quickly as she did and to her team for always supporting her. I could not have asked for a better group. You have all been absolutely amazing and I could not gloat about you anymore than I already do! Everyone who asks me, "how does Chanelle like daycare?" my simple answer is she loves it. Please keep doing what you are doing - I am so grateful for you all, truly.
From Christina, Jerome, Chanelle & Kaliyah
To all the amazing staff at High Park YMCA, thank you for making my daughter feel supported, safe, cared for and loved. You all feel like our second family and we are so thankful for you.
To Marisol, Vickie and Amber, thank you all for caring so much for our little girl. She loves all of you and feels safe and secure in your care; you are wonderful people and great educators and we appreciate all that you.
From Tara and Zach
Behind every happy child is someone who listened, encouraged, comforted, cheered them on, and made them feel like they belonged.
Thank you Erica and Regan for being that person, again and again. The love and care you pour into your work leaves an imprint that reaches far beyond the classroom.
On Educator Appreciation Day, we hope you know just how important you are and how deeply appreciated you are. Thank you for all that you do and, most importantly, for the heart you bring to it. 💗
From Jennifer & Dennis
All the staff at YMCA Kennedy rd north are amazing. It really takes a special type of person to be an educator for such young minds. They all do it so graciously.
Thank you, all of you.
From Jen and C
A heartfelt thank you to all the amazing educators at Lynngate YMCA in Scarborough! ❤️
We would especially like to thank Fang and Susan for their kindness, patience, and dedication in caring for Jayden. We are so grateful for all the love, support, and attention you give him every day. A big thank you as well to Nisha and all the supply educators and other staff who help make his days happy, fun, and full of learning.
It means so much to us as parents to know that Jayden is in such caring and supportive hands. Thank you for everything you do and for being such an important part of his early childhood. We truly appreciate each and every one of you! ❤️
From From Jayden's Family


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

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View messages from 2025 Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day