Governor Proclaims Child Care Provider Appreciation Day 2021

WHEREAS, North Carolina’s future prosperity depends on the success of its young children, and the Child Care Providers who work with them make a lasting impact on our state and deserve thanks and recognition; and

WHEREAS, the pandemic created unprecedented challenges for all North Carolinians, including families and providers who care for young children; in response,the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education took bold, early action in March 2020 to stabilize the state’s child care industry; and

WHEREAS, as North Carolina continues to see statewide metrics moving in a positive direction, the state is looking at research that demonstrates that investments in high quality early learning and development opportunities produce significant outcomes in education, health, and economic well-being; and

WHEREAS, North Carolina continues to build upon its successful legacy of public and private leadership and innovation to strengthen and sustain a comprehensive, integrated early childhood learning and development system that delivers positive outcomes for young children, families, and communities by supporting the Child Care Providers who support each and every child’s unique needs; and

WHEREAS, Governor Roy Cooper demonstrated the state’s continuing commitment to ensuring young children, from birth to age eight, grow up healthy, confident, independent, and resilient, with access to high quality early childhood education opportunities and health services, by launching the Early Childhood Action Plan with the support of the Early Childhood Advisory Council; and

WHEREAS, Child Care Provider Appreciation Day recognizes the importance of early care and education professionals to young children and their families and the role of the State in ensuring quality standards and access for all families to these services; and

WHEREAS, the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education works to collaborate with organizations across the state to support Child Care Providers as they create and maintain high quality early childhood experiences that provide the foundation for future learning and success; and

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina, the NC Department of Health and Human Services, the Division of Child Development and Early Education, the NC Child Care Resource and Referral Council, Child Care Aware® of America and other organizations state- and nationwide join together today in recognizing Child Care Providers as the people, organizations, and programs committed to providing high quality early childhood education and services to the young children and families of our state;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May 7, 2021, as “CHILD CARE PROVIDER APPRECIATION DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.