Child care providers get special day

Published May 9, 2012
By Sarah Olaciregui
66th Air Base Group Public Affairs

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- May 11 marks Provider Appreciation Day and staff from the Family Child Care program, School Age program and Child Development Center are being honored for their work in caring for children.

Provider Appreciation Day began in 1996 by a group of volunteers in New Jersey. These founders saw the need to recognize the efforts of providers who care for children of working parents. Momentum for this event has grown over the years and recognition now takes place throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

As a result, parents and management at Hanscom feel it is very important to celebrate the many employees who have a hand in shaping a child's life. The Parent Advisory Board will honor child care providers with a luncheon to thank them for all their hard work throughout the year.

"It is an honor to work with such a wonderful group of providers," said Courtney Cann, FCC coordinator. "I am in awe at the amazing relationships the providers have with their families enrolled in their homes. There is a lot of work involved in becoming licensed and to maintain the many Air Force Family Child Care standards, but their hard work pays off and shows with the quality of care the children in their home are receiving."

Cann works with six providers who care for 30 children. She often receives positive feedback from parents, which lets her know she has the right people taking care of the kids. For example, Caroline Doyle drops her 6-month-old daughter, Nicole, off with provider Thiqueta Beasley each day.

"The Beasley family is a wonderful part of our daughter Nicole's life," said Doyle. "Nicole not only gets the experienced care of Thiqueta, but also learns and grows from her interactions with the other children in her care, her daughters, son, nephew and husband. It's one big extended family for our daughter and is enriching for everyone involved."

Other parents offered similar feedback.

"Dawn Gazell does an amazing job," said Anthony Ryan, who entrusts the care of his 7-month-old son, Cian, with another FCC provider. "She is very considerate and gentle with my son."

First-time-mother Megan Mahoney feels the same way about the provider who cares for her 4-month-old son, Owen.

"Noel provides me with advice on child rearing, which is greatly appreciated," Mahoney said of provider Noel Merkerson. "She is flexible with my schedule and always keeps me informed."

Colleen Davis, CDC director, hears similar sentiments from parents. She manages 63 employees who care for 242 children, from infants to 5 year olds, throughout the week.

"Families are pleased with the care their child receives at the CDC," said Davis. "The care and concern that staff shows to children and families each day makes me proud to be a member of this team."

For example, 1st Lt. Michael Bolton lets the CDC care for his 5 year old and 3 year old.

"The center staff provides a welcoming, fun and safe environment for our children to grow and learn," he said. "My children truly enjoy their daily experience at the CDC."

Another parent echoed the lieutenant's comments and says that even though one of her children has moved up to kindergarten, she still talks of her teachers at the CDC that made a lasting impression on her.

"The teachers at the center have provided the most phenomenal care to my children," said Stephanie Herlihy. "My youngest cannot wait to go see her teachers and friends and that makes me feel so comfortable as a parent knowing that she is in a safe and fun environment with caring teachers."

The School Age program is no different. Sixty-eight children are cared for by seven providers during the school year and a rotating number of 84 children are cared for by an average of 10 providers during the summer.

"The team at the School Age program is a wonderful and unique group of leaders," said Tina Bowen, School Age program director. "The seven staff members, one cook, one administrative assistant and one training curriculum specialist come from so many different backgrounds, ages and experiences. With those unique qualities available on a daily basis, it enables the School Age program to have a wide variety of activities and events that showcase those strengths. I have a great team here at School Age that works fabulously with each other, which makes my job so much easier and so much more fun."

The great care the children receive, as evidenced by the parent feedback, is largely in part from having providers that are serious about child care. All staff must go through 24 hours of training prior to beginning their job, plus 24 hours of additional training each year. Family child care providers are trained and licensed before they may begin caring for children in their home.

Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a child care provider may contact Cann at 781-225-6122.