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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.

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We want to take a moment to express our appreciation to YMCA Stonebridge PS team:

Thank you for caring for our children each day with such kindness, patience, and dedication. We truly appreciate how smoothly you coordinate with the school staff and how thoughtfully you organize a variety of engaging activities and provide healthy snacks. Your efforts create a nurturing, fun, and safe environment where children can learn, play, and grow with confidence.

We are so grateful for your commitment and the positive impact you make on our kids and families every single day!

From Jiao’s family

To all YMCA Educators,

Thank you so much for being friendly, kind, caring, and patient with my baby girl . I cannot thank you enough for always encouraging her to feel happy and comfortable with her peers. I just wanted to let you know how much we value your professionalism and the significant impact you have in her.

From From Mahsa, Rahil and Inez

I am so grateful for the wonderful staff at Kenollie YMCA. They are truly rock stars! The fun, engaging and safe environment they create for my children is deeply appreciated by our family. There are days I go to pick my kids up and then do not want to leave. This says so much about the friends and community, and the people who make it all possible. Thank you for all for the hard work that you do, your patience, understanding and kindness.

From Jenny

You likely spend more time with our kids than we do at home - thank you so much for all the care, patience and compassion you show our kids. It's not an easy job and takes someone really special to do. Your work is very much appreciated and doesn't ever go unrecognized.

From Francis Family

A big thanks to our incredible YMCA educators; Humaira, Fariell, and Humera for the amazing care they show to Kayden and the entire Preschool2 room at Seaton YMCA!! You guys are the best! ❤️

From Kayden

We are so grateful to all the wonderful educators at Rouge Valley YMCA who have made Carter’s transition and journey with daycare so positive! Carter has adapted so well and has found so much love and happiness at his centre. He has learned so many new skills and we are so proud of him and so grateful to his educators for their thoughtful and kind passion for their craft. Thank you, Sophia, Piriya, Patricia, and all the amazing educators at the centre.

From Natasha, Jon and Carter Phan

Everyone has been so welcoming and loving towards our son. I go to pick him up at the end of the day and he rarely wants to leave. You have created such a welcoming space that truly engages all the children you serve. Thank you all so much.

From Kevin’s family

Dear Mazo Team,

we want to express our heartfelt gratitude for the love, patience, and care you show Julian every single day. The warmth and creativity you bring into the classroom makes it a place where he feels safe, happy, and inspired to learn and grow. Your guidance helps shape bright futures and for that, we are truly thankful.

Thank you for everything you guys do!

From Kyle, Kathleen and Julian

A BIG thank you to all the educators at David Braley YMCA! Each one of you are so caring and we appreciate everything you do for our family. Thank you for your hardwork each and every day! We’re so grateful to have our children in such wonderful hands!

From The Zambito Family

Thank you very much for the child care team at the Courtice North YMCA (Nicole and her team)for their caring ways to my kids.


From Ambily

Our family wants to say a big thank you- to all the amazing early childhood educators for taking care of our children. It is such a great opportunity that you give for all the parents who have to go to work or have other responsibilities at home. Your kindness, patience, care, and creativity mean so much to our family. We really appreciate everything you do everyday! ❤️

From Khimen Family

The YMCA before and aftercare has been nothing short of amazing.My daughter got off to a very rough start and Shazia was so patient and kind through the process! Thanks to Alex and Sandra for always being so pleasant and cheerful! You guys are all great. Thank you so much!

From The Muller Family

To YMCA OLF: We appreciate your kindness and patience. Your support and dedication are important to us! Thank you so much for all that you do!

A special shout out to Zoya! You are the best!

From Team Acenas

Shazia is great! Thank you so much for all your help! You’ve been absolutely amazing!

From Jaiden

The staff at Elizabeth Seton YMCA are amazing. They are the only daycare that I have trusted - toddler years through to school age. They are kind and really care about each and every child. The YMCA administrators are also excellent too - organized and extremely professional. Shout out to Corrine for leading such a great team of professionals!

From Nicole (Haiden's Mom)

To Everyone at McHugh YMCA!! Phaedra has loved being a part of the After School family. Phaedra talks about all of the activities you do, and has made so many friends. Thank you for being so engaged and welcoming!!

From Pariss Garramone and Steve Rhodes

To each and everyone of the beautiful staff members at the St. Timothy YMCA, who care for my 2 children everyday...I APPRECIATE YOU!!!

From Skyla & SIenna's Mom

Thank you to Ishrat, Fahmida, Georgia, and all the other great staff who take such wonderful care of Juliette.

From Juliette and family.

Thank you to the amazing team in the infant and toddler room for the love and care you show Audrey every day. She loves being with you and always feels safe, happy and loved in your care. We’re very grateful for everything you do. It has been incredible to watch her grow up from a little baby into a toddler with your support.

From Audrey’s Family

Thank you for teaching me so much and being such patient educators. Thank you for always being kind and making every day fun! Thank you for always making me feel happy and safe. Thank you for cleaning my poops for sooo long and for helping me gain the confidence to get out of diapers. My mommy, daddy and I, appreciate you all sooo much. Luv. Kendrix

From Kendrix

Dear YMCA Team,

Thank you so much for all that you do. I want to personally express how much I appreciate the incredible dedication and care you bring not only to the children, but to our entire community. Your hard work truly makes a difference in our kids’ lives and in making our experiences as families so much easier and more joyful.

We really appreciate how you invest your time and dedication into every program and every camp, and how you make being part of the YMCA feel like being part of a big, supportive family. Thank you for everything you do—it’s truly appreciated more than words can say. ❤️❤️❤️

From Helen T family

Happy Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day! Thank you for the love, patience, and dedication you pour into shaping little minds every day. Your care and guidance make such a difference. You are truly appreciated!

From Eloise Liu

To all the past educators for summer camp (Streetsville Mississauga) I can’t appreciate your patience enough most especially the 2025 summer camp staff. You guys were and are phenomenal. We still do the signature dance at home and laugh a lot about it. Mason and Tracey miss summer camp because of you. Thanks for your kindness and the peace that you give me by knowing my children are having a blast at camp

Love : Mason and Tracey Oyeyipo

From Bola

You doing a great job! Your help is priceless! Your patience is unbelievable! You are amazing! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

From Viacheslav

Happy ECE day celebration to our YMCA (St Benard of Clairvaux staff) we appreciate all your love, kindness and support. Thanks for being a place my children look forward to every day. Thank you so much Miss Sunnie for your help while I was transferring the children. God bless you maam. Love Mason and Tracey Oyeyipo

From Bola

Thank you Stella, Vilma, Anilda for the love, patience, and gentle care you all give to Trishan every single day. You presence brings comfort, hands bring safety and your heart brings warmth like mother - that means everything.

Taking care of infant is not a small task. It take strength, kindness and lots of emotions and you all do so beautifully.

The way Stella and Anilda calls Trishan a ‘laddoo’ that fills my heart with love. And I can feel your love and warmth for Trishan.

Vimla always say that Trishan is a happy baby, never cry after waking up. Always want to play. These line make my trust stronger and a sense of relief.

You are not just the caregiver- you’re a part of Laddoo’s early world and that is something we will always treasure.

Thank you all and Lilly for helping raise our happy baby with so much love. ❤️

From Amandeep and Homendra

Thank you so much for your love and care for my children. Thank you for showing them that they are loved and valued by you. We love you for your dedication, kindness, support and advice when needed. Thanks to the Churchill Meadows P.S YMCA, we miss you all a lot and we hope to visit soon. Mason and Tracey still speak fondly about their experience with you all.

We are grateful for the gift of all our incredible and dedicated Educators.

From Bola, Bayo, Mason and Tracey Oyeyipo,

The kindy team at Dr. Roberta Bondar (rm109) is simply exceptional! We had the pleasure of having Monica & Swaraj last year and we’re beyond thrilled to see that they would be there again this school year. They are caring, helpful and it is a joy to have them take care of my son.

From Lindsey

We would like to thank Ms. Jessica, Ms. Stella, Ms. Shirley, Ms. Irshad, Ms. May Lee, and every educator from Unionville Central Park YMCA Child Care Centre for all the love and support you’ve given to Arianna since she was just two years old and now as a happy three-year-old. She has learned to speak, communicate, and understand others with kindness. Arianna loves being at YMCA because of your patience, creativity, and big smiles, and she always looks forward to seeing her teachers and friends every morning. Thank you for creating such a caring and joyful environment, and for helping her grow with confidence every day.

From Arianna Yang Family

We would like to thank all the educators- especially the amazing ECEs in the toddler room - for their care and dedication.

Thank you for making Elliot feel welcomed and helping him transition smoothly into a new space. We are truly grateful for all you do!

From Elliot’s family


These wonderful words from your warm wishes are sure to brighten the day of educators.

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