Provider Appreciation Day

May 8 is Provider Appreciation Day — a time to honor child care professionals for the essential role they play in the lives of young children.

At Futures First, we know the earliest years matter most. The experiences children have with caring, responsive adults help shape how they learn, grow, and thrive for a lifetime. Child care professionals are at the center of that foundation — nurturing curiosity, building confidence, and supporting healthy development every day.

From birth to age five, children’s brains develop at an incredible pace. Positive, consistent relationships with early educators help build strong foundations for learning, social-emotional growth, and lifelong well-being. Research shows that when children experience high-quality early care and education, they are more likely to succeed in school, thrive in the workforce, and contribute to their communities.

But this impact doesn’t happen in isolation. It is made possible by the caring people who show up every day to support children and families, often with limited recognition and compensation for the depth of their work.

Early education and care professionals do much more than make work possible for families. They are essential to a thriving community, and investing in them is one of the most effective ways to help children reach their full potential.

That’s why we remain committed to strengthening the people who nurture young lives — giving them the tools, guidance, and encouragement they need to help every child thrive.

At Futures First, we see the incredible impact early childhood educators make in the lives of children and families, and we believe their work deserves to be recognized and celebrated.

We’re honored to carry that commitment into our annual Provider Appreciation Celebration on Saturday, May 9, a morning dedicated to honoring the important role educators play in our community.

Attendees will enjoy breakfast and time to connect, help us recognize this year’s Excellence in Early Care and Education Award recipient, and take part in a free training session focused on building global citizenship in early childhood, with practical strategies to support identity, belonging, and empathy.

On Provider Appreciation Day, we honor child care professionals for the difference they make every day — and we recommit to building a system that values their expertise, supports their well-being, and ensures every child has the strong start they deserve.

Learn how you can speak up for early education and care professional and the children they serve.