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Educator Appreciation Day
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.

To the incredible crew at YMCA Garthwood: Huge thanks to Tano, Fatuma, Wajiha, Cielo, Sylvia, Melissa and everyone at Garthwood! Thank you for everything you pour into caring, teaching, and guiding the kids. You’ve helped Yanis grow, laugh, and shine. We see how much heart you bring to what you do, and we’re so thankful for you all. ❤️
From Ify Baza
Thornhill Brownridge YMCA Child Care Centre Dear Nasim, Victoria, Jaleh. Thank you for providing a friendly atmosphere for our children where they can learn and grow. All your teachers and workers are reliable, respectful, caring, and fun-loving. You're truly the best!” Thank you,🙏
From Sima and Maya
Thank you for always making before and after school program so much fun! Lots of love, Avery and Hannah Rivet ☺️
From Avery and Hannah Rivet
Dear Ms. Flora , Ms. Vanessa, Ms. Saba, a Ms. Kelly, Ms. Nemo, and Ms. Doreida, thank you for your care and guidance with Miles. He has certainly come a long way since his first day in the toddler program. We are very grateful for the fun and comforting learning environment you all have established in Room 5. Thank you again for all the work you do for the children and for the lasting impact you all make.
Dear Ms. Darshi, Ms. Jheanelle, Ms. Meetu and student educators, thank you for being a part of Miles' journey. You've made his transition into the preschool program very warm and welcoming. Your work is an integral part of his foundation for his future. Looking forward to Miles continuing to have good adventures and memories with you all in Room 2!
From From, Miles, Kristelle, and Edd
We're so grateful for your kindness, patience, creativity and the positive environment you create. Our daughter has learned so much since being enrolled and it is all thanks to you!
From Lucas and Krystal De Luca
To the amazing Mississauga Burnhamthorpe YMCA Toddler 1 Staff & Supervisors, we truly appreciate all the Care and attention extended towards our little one in Toddler 1. This is the first Daycare for our kid and we were very reluctant to get him started before he turned 2yrs. Mary, Tanya, Gabby, Anu, Aki & Lilli were excellent in helping our little one settle down in his home away from home. No words would be enough to convey our gratitude towards the Care and attention you extend to our kids and watching his progress through these initial weeks does mean a lot to us. Thanks a bunch and cheers to all the fun ahead.
From Jaden- Justin & Deena
To the wonderful team at St. Elizabeth Seton YMCA, we appreciate you taking such good care of our daughter. We wanted to thank the toddler room team - Dilshad, Anu, Tammy and Vanessa. Thank you for everything you do! We have seen our daughter grow and learn so much from the educators. Dilshad, we appreciate your daily updates and teaching Mila new things and words. She is excited every morning to go to daycare and meet the team!
From Mila’s family
A Heartfelt Thank You to St. Columba YMCA ❤️
We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the amazing educators and the entire team at St. Columba YMCA for the love, patience, and care you’ve shown our little Abraham. 🌼
When he first started four months ago, he was quite fussy and needed time to adjust — but thanks to your warmth and understanding, he now loves going to school! Seeing him walk in with excitement and come home with new songs, stories, and smiles means the world to us.
Thank you for creating such a nurturing space where he feels safe, happy, and eager to learn every day. We’re truly blessed to have you all as part of his early learning journey. 💛
From With love and gratitude, Arjun and Rebekkah :)
A heartfelt thank you to Sugandha and Cindhu at YMCA St. Wilfred for your patience, your warmth, and the joy you bring to Mila’s days. She has truly thrived and loves coming to school because of the care and kindness you show each and every day.❤️
From Angela & Ebin (Mila’s parents)
Thank you all for everything you do for our little ones!! We appreciate your dedication and commitment in building a bright future for our kids.
Anmol, Krupali, Tanya & Parbatie: Thank you so much for all your love, patience and support in making Sierra’s first year at YMCA so great! She absolutely loves coming in to sing and dance with you. You’ve all been so wonderful and we are so grateful for you.
From ❤️ The Family of Sierra Campbell
A very big thank you to all of the staff at Kettle Lakes YMCA- especially Roscoe’s toddler room educators Alexcia, Ghodsi and Ka Man! We are beyond grateful for all of the love, care and education you instil in our little boy each day. Each of you plays a very important part of his days as well as all of the children in the program. Thanks for making his first experience in an educational environment fun and welcoming from day one :)
From Roscoe, Danielle & Vince
Happy ECE Appreciation Day to all the wonderful educators at Wedgewood YMCA! Thank you for the care, patience, and positivity you bring every day. A special shout-out to Ms. Vivian in the Kinder group and Ms. Heidi in the School Age group — your kindness and dedication truly go above and beyond. We’re so grateful for everything you do!
With appreciation,
Kelly, Skye, Avery & Cole
From Kelly
Happy ECE Appreciation Day to all the wonderful educators at Wedgewood YMCA! Thank you for the care, patience, and positivity you bring every day. A special shout-out to Ms. Vivian in the Kinder group and Ms. Heidi in the School Age group — your kindness and dedication truly go above and beyond. We’re so grateful for everything you do!
With appreciation,
From Kelly, Skye, Avery & Cole
Thank you teachers Christina and Marianne for all that you do for the children — you are such wonderful & caring early childhood educators!
From Jas & TK
Thank you teachers Christina and Marianne for all that you do for the children — you are such wonderful & caring early childhood educators!
From Jas & TK
Thank you child care and early learning professionals for helping children achieve their full potential. By giving kids a strong start, you lay the foundation for their future success in school and in life. Caring for children also supports parents to contribute to the economic and social fabric of our community.
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to children and their families. Your efforts are helping to improve the quality of life in our community.
From John Taylor, Mayor of Newmarket
To Lisa, Nadia, Mai, and the rest of the team at Newmarket Alexander Muir,
Thank you so much for teaching, caring, and ensuring Donathan learns, grows, and becomes his own individual person.
Since he’s joined he has become so much more himself! He is now comfortable expressing how he feels and speaks his thoughts.
Thank you for teaching him to express his thoughts and emotions!
Thank you!
From Donathan’s parents, The Lo Family
Thank you for all that you do for our babies! We appreciate you more than yo know!
From The Thompson Family
Thank you so much to each and everyone of all the YMCA staff for doing their best everyday to provide a safe, caring and creating memorable learning experiences for our twins Raiden and Rommel! We always look forward to the daily photo posts on their progress! We appreciate your patience!
From The Pardillas
l'm using this opportunity to thank all the staff at YMCA for your love and support in nurturing my child. Thank you for good work.
From Oluwasefunmi
l'm using this opportunity to thank all the staff at YMCA for your love and support in nurturing my child. Thank you for good work.
From Oluwasefunmi
To the staff of YMCA-Churchill Meadows,
Thank you very much for being such wonderful educators at the YMCA. It means the world to us, knowing that our child is in a safe environment where he is encouraged to grow, explore and make friends from different grades. Thank you for supporting his social development in a fun and loving environment with such patience and compassion. We really appreciate you for going above and beyond when it truly matters!
From From Ibrahim and family
YMCA has really been a game-changer for me and my family our child is really happy and enjoying it To the amazing team at Stonebridge YMCA
Thank you!!
From Renae’and family
I love Scarborough ymca daycare- They have the best activities for my daughter. She was in infant care and now in toddler care- Big shoutout to Shomi Ghosh, Shilpa, Lily. They took the best care of her. The way they tried to feed my picky daughter- shows how attentive they are. They take the best pictures - smiling and joyful. The way they made her to enjoy going to daycare is truly great. And now in toddler room- all her teachers- excellent care. When one of the educators told me how well she is balancing the other day I really felt very happy. Special shoutout to Haleena , and Hannah for always being warm and taking the best care of her.
From Soumya Sahana’s mom
To the team members at the YMCA Family Development Center,
Thank you for all you do! You've helped Ellie feel at home in the infant room and didn't make me feel bad for the times I dropped her off and she immediately started crying. You show so much care for every child and the parents appreciate it!
Thanks for all you do ♥️
From Ellie's parents (Rebecca & Patrick)
To the team members at the YMCA Family Development Center,
Thank you for all you do! You've helped Ellie feel at home in the infant room and didn't make me feel bad for the times I dropped her off and she immediately started crying. You show so much care for every child and the parents appreciate it!
Thanks for all you do ♥️
From Ellie's parents (Rebecca & Patrick)
I want to express my deep gratitude for 2 girls in the toddler room. Natasha and Michelle who always approach my son with kindness and love! They are professionals and love what they do and it shows! Simply wonderful!!! Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!!!!!
From Vasiliki Papachrysanthakopoulou
To all the incredible educators at Unionville Central Park YMCA:
Thank you all for the care, dedication, and patience you bring to the children every day. Your warmth and hard work create such a nurturing environment, and we’re truly grateful for the positive impact you make on their growth and well-being. Wishing you all a wonderful day—you deserve it!
With appreciation,
From Gloria and family
Dear Stella,
Happy Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day! I just wanted to say how grateful we are for all the love, patience, and care you show Gloria. Your kindness and gentle guidance make such a difference, and it means so much to know they’re in such caring hands every day. Thank you for everything you do from the heart.
Best wishes,
From Gloria and family
Melissa, Linh, Marisol, Genevieve,
It takes a big heart to shape little minds, a whole lot of patience, caffeine (lots of caffeine) so THANK YOU!!! Myles is so happy and thriving under your care. Thank you to your dedication and care to all the students and parents. You shape young minds with love and care.
From Stephanie & Karl Manuel (Myles’ parents)


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