Media Release: TBDSSAB Recognizes Child Care Worker Appreciation Day 2025
October 20, 2025 – The District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board (TBDSSAB) encourages the community to recognize Child Care Worker (CCW) and Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Appreciation Day on Tuesday October 21, 2025.
CCW & ECE Appreciation Day is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of the child care and early years professionals who play a formative part in early childhood development.
The early years are a critical time in the development of young minds. Educators guide children to explore and engage with the world around them, creating experiences that cultivate children’s learning and development. We are thankful for child care and early years professionals and the vital role they play in creating a foundation for lifelong learning and guiding future generations.
To quote Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years, How Does Learning Happen:
“Educators are competent and capable, curious, and rich in experience. They are knowledgeable, caring, reflective, and resourceful professionals. They bring diverse social, cultural, and linguistic perspectives. They collaborate with others to create engaging environments and experiences to foster children’s learning and development.”
The Ministry of Education has committed to the expansion of CWELCC licensed child care spaces across the province, including the addition of 196 new full day licensed child care spaces in the District of Thunder Bay. In partnership with community organizations, we are thrilled to confirm that all 196 child care spaces are on schedule to be opened by the end of 2026.
The early years sector has faced a shortage of qualified staff which has impacted the child care system’s capacity to meet the demand for child care. We are pleased to not only see more graduates entering the early years workforce through our partnership with Confederation College, but the addition of 196 more spaces will also provide more opportunities in turn.
We are grateful to our community partners for working with us to ensure the child care and early years system can meet the needs of children, families, and educators throughout the District of Thunder Bay.
We encourage families, children, and community partners to recognize CCW & ECE Appreciation Day in a meaningful way. Celebrate the educators in your life by letting children take the lead. For inspiration, TBDSSAB has ideas and free resources on our website that can be downloaded, printed, or shared electronically.
For more information, please visit: https://www.tbdssab.ca/ccwad/
Quotes:
“Educators work tirelessly to support and nurture young minds. These professionals provide stability to our workforce and peace of mind to families. Our respect and admiration for these professionals goes beyond one appreciation day. Our Board has been–and will continue to be–vocal advocates for policy change to encourage growth and retention for the profession.” – Brian Hamilton, Chair, TBDSSAB
“As individuals, families, and as a community, we owe so much to child care and early years professionals. We trust these educators to raise our children with us—and that deserves recognition and respect.”– Ken Ranta, CEO, TBDSSAB
Quick Facts:
- There are over 500 staff working in child and early years programs funded by TBDSSAB
- Staff in child care and early years programs often include a mix of Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs), child care workers, cooks, and administrative support staff. All roles are critical to the success of early years programming.
- Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) belong to a regulatory body of professionals, The College of Early Childhood Educators. The ECE Act (2007), ensures protection of public interest and integrity of the ECE profession.
- Ontario’s licensed early years programs follow Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years, How Does Learning Happen? This guide lays the groundwork for programs to focus on the four developmental foundations of: Belonging, Engagement, Expression, and Wellbeing.