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.

As parents, we are incredibly grateful for the love, care and positivity that our educators at Jean Hamlyn YMCA bring in. We are lucky to have such an incredible team who helped our little ones' development growth. Thanks to everyone- Christine Baxter, Brenna, Amy, Kevin, Courtney. ☺️

From Deepali - Riaan and Raahil mom

Thank you Casey, Mary, Jordanna, Kinsley, Shahnoz for your support to Esme since she started daycare. Your beautiful smiles and lovely encouragements have made such a big difference. You all so caring, understanding, go along with all the shenanigans that my husband put you through. We appreciate you ALL! THANK YOU!

From Esme's Mom

Dear Educators,
I want to sincerely thank you for all the care, patience, and effort you put into looking after our children every single day. I know how challenging your job can be, and I truly appreciate the love and attention you give to them.
As a parent, it means so much to me to see my daughter, Termeh, happy and excited to go to school every day. It gives me great peace of mind knowing she is in such warm and caring hands.
Thank you again for everything you do. 🌸

From Sara

To Dorcas, Jeya, La la, Sepideh and Markham Woodhaven Staff,
I want to take a moment to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the incredible work you do each and every day. We absolutely adore all of you. We are so so lucky to have you all as our son's educators.
Your patience, kindness, and dedication mean the world. I see the joy in my son's face and it’s clear that your care, creativity, and support are helping him grow, learn, and thrive in a nurturing environment.
Happy Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day! You truly make a difference, and we are so grateful for everything you do.

From Kristine B.

I just wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for the wonderful care you give to Bennett and Emmett every day. It gives me such peace of mind knowing they’re in such kind and capable hands. I’m especially grateful for your patience, warmth, and for being there so early each morning so I can make it to work on time. Your care and dedication don’t go unnoticed — we truly appreciate all that you do!

From Mann Family

To the wonderful caregivers in the baby daycare section — thank you for holding our little ones with such tenderness, patience, and love. 💙 Every smile, every gentle word, every moment of care you give shapes their tiny worlds in ways that words can’t fully express. Knowing that my son is surrounded by such warmth and kindness fills my heart with peace and gratitude every single day. You are not just caregivers — you are the gentle lights guiding our babies as they take their very first steps into the world. 🌟 Thank you for all that you do, from the bottom of my heart.

From From Ajithkumar & Keerthana family ❤️

Dear Robin and Monita,
Thank you for making sure our Jazzy is safe and cared for EVERYDAY she is dropped off at 7 am.
It is not at all easy to wake up a 5 year old at 6am every morning. This is how our lives are and knowing Jasmine is in good hands, we are thankful and grateful from the bottom of our hearts for everything you do, from having small conversations, the fun crafts and activities and the learning you provide is recognized and appreciated.
Thank you Thank you
Happy ECE appreciation day !

From Sheila.Jason and Jasmine Amaral

Even though my son has graduated from Unionville Central Park YMCA, he still talks fondly about his amazing educators. As a family with a special needs child, we’re so grateful for the love, patience, and support you’ve shown him. His time at the center has given him such warm, happy memories, and that means the world to us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all that you do. 💖

From Ederic's family

Thank you for the care, energy, and heart you bring to your work each day. Your role in shaping young minds and creating a safe, nurturing environment is truly valued.
You make a lasting impact through your kindness, patience, and commitment, and we are so grateful for all that you do.

From Rishan

I want to give a huge shoutout to the amazing team at St. Wilfred YMCA Aftercare! 🌟 My daughter absolutely loves spending time with you all, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the care and kindness you show every day. Knowing she’s in such a safe and fun environment gives me so much peace of mind. You all truly make a difference, and I can’t thank you enough for everything you do! 🙏💛
#ThankYou #Grateful #YMCA

From Paula and Liliana!

hi Felicia am happy that u always make the kids comfortable u are doing a great job am so grateful to for being part of my son's journey .more blessings

From Brenda mummy uriel

Thank you all (Amberhope, Teresa, Big Olivia, Alisha, Tammy) for love, care and kindness you bestowed to my daughter in the tender age yet very important days of her life. Thank you once again for showing her how to love herself and be confident. Henthoisna still miss you all very much and there isn't a single day when she doesn't talk about her YMCA days.

From Asha, Dolendra, Yaisna and Henthoisna

Vicki/Shervin/Najma/Najmay
Thank you for all the hard work you put into making the aftercare fun and memorable. My guys love the crafts and outdoor activities you plan each day.

From Bri

I want to extend a special thank you to the YMCA in Scarborough. They are all amazing and take excellent care of my daughter. We love and deeply appreciate them! Thank you for everything you do for our children. Your heartfelt care never goes unnoticed. A huge thank you!

From Tanya and Surenatiee

Thank you for your hardworking and support.

From Yalda Hashimi Mehr

Thank you for the incredible love, patience, and dedication you bring every day. Your care, creativity, and kindness shape the hearts and minds of our little ones in the most meaningful ways. You make learning joyful and childhood brighter. We are truly grateful for all that you do.

From Hannah

I want to thank and show my appreciation to the child care workers at Fleming Jr. YMCA. These ladies go above and beyond caring for all the children and they are are remarkable educators. To elaborate, my husband and I trust our son gets the best care at Fleming. The staff are friendly, they are compassionate and we have grown to love and appreciate all of them.

From Camilla and Marvin

Thank you to the wonderful daycare team at St. John Bosco CS. Before and after care. You take such great care of my 2 children even through the toughest seasons of life. I appreciate every single one of you’s and the great impact you have on my children.

From Eloise & DJ’s mom

Thank you so much to Nadia and Meriam from St. Hilary, thanks for all your help and make us feel like a family to you, we appreciate you a lot. May God Bless you more and more. Thanks also to Shanta and all the staffs for all your supports!

From Kirk, Kaitlyn & Deanne’s Mom

Thank you for your incredible teaching and care work! You all are such a huge part of Roshan's learning and development. We are so thankful to have you in our lives!

From Reena

Thank you for your incredible teaching and care work! You all are such a huge part of Roshan's learning and development. We are so thankful to have you in our lives!

From Reena

Thank you so much for doing such an amazing job in taking care of our kids (Mila previously and Marian now). Words can’t explain how much we trust you and how much we appreciate what you do, the love that Mila and Marian have for you is unconditional and that means a lot to us ♥️♥️♥️

From From Marian’s parents( Fardous and Osman)

I appreciate YMCA Child Care Educators in YMCA Central Park location for their dedicated work and patience! Their creativity inspires my child to explore the new things and his imagination!!

From Owen Tang's Mom

Thanks to the whole team at Caledon Central YMCA. Miles looks forward to coming to play and learn everyday. We appreciate all you do!!!

From Miles, Brian and Steph

Thank you so much to the incredible staff at High Park YMCA! Rhys and Bowen are always so excited to go each day to daycare because of the incredible CARE you all provide. We couldn't be more grateful for the quality, love, creativity, patience, kindness, and support each of the teachers bring on a daily basis. THANK YOU!

From Michelle Buchnea

Thanks to the amazing team of YMCA in both toddler and preschool for taking good care of both our kids . We had to switch couple daycares before we got a spot in YMCA and we’ve had the best experience here so far from dealing with supervisor to the classroom teachers . They have always been great with kids and we love to see the new projects they work on daily to enhance the learning at early age.
Special shoutout to Robyn,Michelle ,Monica,Jenn and Tamil for always listening and taking great care of our kids

From Amrit and Hardeep Bansal

Thank you YMCA team for your support. Appreciate it!

From Athul

We truly appreciate the teachers and caregivers at Russell Barber YMCA for all their efforts and attention to our little one.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you guys do and keep up the amazing work.

From Boaz Kanneth and Family

Mary & Samina,
Thank you both for always be so kind and caring to Hayden. Hayden loves YMCA and always talks about you two. Thank you for making his first year and now second year at YMCA so great.

From Sarah & Greg Wantola

The ladies at the McHugh YMCA are the best ever! They have taken care of my daughter since Kindergarten and it's a fun and varied program. I’m always excited to hear what my daughter has done!

From Chelsea’s mom.

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