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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.

Today we recognize YMCA Child Care Educators, the dedicated professionals who nurture, guide and inspire our children every day. Their commitment to creating safe and enriching environments help families thrive and communities grow! Happy Child Care Educator Appreciation Day! Thank you for all you do.

From Lee Anne McCarthy

We always thank to teach and educate for our child. Moreover, we appreciate to teacher for how much you guys care our kid and family with nicely advised difficult situations in raising a child. It is always working and helpful. Once again, we feel so grateful every single day. Love so much❤️

From From Jennifer’s mother💕

Thank you all educators and supervisors for your support to the children and families. Proud to be part of this big family.

From Joyce Chow

A big shoutout to our YMCA educators!! Your kindness, patience and enthusiasm help to light up our programs each and every day. You truly make the Y a special place to learn and grow!

From Sarah Burroughs

To Our Incredible Educators,

Thank you for the heart, dedication, and wisdom you bring to every child’s life. Your impact reaches far beyond the classroom, shaping futures with compassion and care. You are deeply appreciated.

From Catherine Hamilton

As Mayor of the City of Pickering, I extend my deepest gratitude to child care workers and early childhood educators. They are at the heart of our city, playing a vital role in nurturing young minds and supporting families. Through their dedication, compassion, and tireless efforts, they help shape the future and contribute to stronger, more caring communities across Pickering and the GTA.

From Mayor Kevin Ashe, City of Pickering

THANK YOU!! 😊 for your dedication and wonderful care given to my kids!

Big shout out to Ms Fatima, Ms Akshara, Ms, Jo and Ms, Shannon

From Fatema

Shout-out to our beautiful and compassionate educators at Milton EC Drury YMCA! They are only the most dedicated and caring educators I have ever known. Their genuine concern for the children is unmatched and we are truly grateful for that. Marion, Tara, Chloe, Waheeda, Chloe, Jennifer, Amanda, we love and appreciate you! Thank you for everything! Happy Educator's Day!

From Asinas family

Thank you for filling each day with patience, purpose, and play.

Your work touches hearts and shapes futures. 💕

From Susan Scarfo

Thank you for all you do and for all your caring kindness and support -not only to our children but to us working parents who are often juggling many different priorities. We see you, and appreciate you all ❤️❤️❤️

From Sebastian, Anais, Hannah and Anthony

The entire team of child care educators at Shriely Street YMCA are absolutely incredible. We hit the jackpot with the centre and appreciate all that they do to take care of our child. I am so grateful for what they teach him every day. We appreciate you very much.

From Nora

Bridlewood Team is the best, most incredible, kind and caring team! We are lucky and thankful for you all.

From Melissa Mastrangelo

Thank you so much to all of the child care educators at the Falconer YMCA! You are all appreciated for everything you do to support Jaxson by caring for him, with play-based learning and helping him along with his growth and development. As the saying goes "It takes a village to raise a child" and what a wonderful village to have :) Happy Educator Appreciation Day!!

From Jaxson and Mama

What can I say? I'm so much thankful to the educators at Chester YMCA, Toronto. They took care of my kids so much that my kids still miss them as family. Not only they took care of the kids, assured me, encouraged me to focus on my self upgradation as I am a newcomer Mom. For them, I could focus on my study, completed my first year in nursing. I can't take everyone's name, but at least a few- Amy, Holy, Georgia, Ruhi, Nina, Sherry and whom I couldn't mention, please accept my gratitude for your emense love and care to our kids.

From Sharnaly Sharmin Sultana, Ayan-ayad's mom

Thank you for Nicole Martinez. She is very kindly educator and supportive to my kids. My 1st son going to Sk now. But he missing early On. He ask me that,go to Nicole play school.

From Tharsini (Abinash,Aarish)

My YMCA childcare educators were the first to show me that being away from Mommy and Daddy could be safe. Kara always told me “you are safe and you are loved” and made me laugh. Everyone was so caring and fun. My parents and I are forever grateful.

From Reverie

Thank you to everyone at the YMCA (St.jeromes- Aurora) for everything they do! The staff are truly wonderful. We feel at ease dropping our kids off at the YMCA because we know staff care so much about our kids. The educators always greet you with a warm smile! Over the years, we have been able to create such wonderful connections with the staff! We consider ourselves a "YMCA" family, both our kids have always had positive experiences while attending.

Thank you all so much, you go above and beyond, it does not go unnoticed!

From The Teves family

Carruthers YMCA program is so incredible! I cannot express how truly grateful I am for all the educators there! They consistently go above and beyond. Supporting my so through important transitions daily, they always approach him with patience, care and humour. Thank you Anita, Crystal, Marzina, Hina, and all the other amazing educators at Carruthers YMCA. Thank you for the profound impact you have on my son and family.

From The Coopers

Dear Miss Kyky and Wayne,

We truly appreciate your hard work and patience in taking care of Ben in YMCA. YMCA is another school family for Ben and he looks forward every day!

From Ben and family

Dear Ms. Saadia and Ms. Pratima,

Thank you so much for taking care of me with patience and love. Your creativity makes my time with you truly memorable. You serve the best snacks!

From Love, Mekaeel

Our children love the YMCA daycare. I really can’t say enough good things about this place. The educators are the best and all three of my children in toddler, pre school and before and after care enjoy spending time with them. We feel so blessed to have gotten spots here and are so very thankful for all of them. ❤️

From Amy Gillingham

The educators at Prince Charles are wonderful with my kid! She is so excited to show me her crafts every day, and I can usually hear her laughing when I’m walking in the halls to pick her up. I’m so thankful for the after-school program.

From Aynsley

🌟 Happy Appreciation Day! 🌟

To all the incredible teachers — thank you for inspiring curiosity, kindness, and confidence every single day.

Your patience, creativity, and dedication make a lasting difference in the lives of our children.

From Alicia and her family,

With heartfelt gratitude for everything you do. ❤️

From Alicia, Alex and Gabriela Carvalho

My children have the most fun and enjoy going to the YMCA group everyday ! They enjoy all the teachers , they are helpful making them join in all the fun activities and they love all the Educators! Your kindness and attention make their day amazing.

Thank you for all you do !!

From Robin McGuffin

We are so appreciative for our YMCA educators at St.Veronica, both my kids are deeply cared for and thriving in their classes! We cannot thank you enough for being our extended village to support us as a family. Happy ECE day, every day!

From Carlos family

Leighann, Farjana, Katherine, Bailey thank you all for all that you do for our kids. As parents it is hard to trust someone with the thing closest to our hearts. You guys make it easy. Thank you 100x over. Hope you know just how much we appreciate all that you do.

From Danielle Moise

A huge thank you to Karla, Sarah, Mikayla and Angela at the Scarborough Beverly Glen YMCA Centre, for everything they have done for our kids, N & K!

They all go above and beyond, welcoming both our children with open arms and warm smiles every morning and ensuring that they have a great time after school at the YMCA.

Our children love attending the Y thanks to these four amazing people, and we couldn't be more grateful or appreciative for everything they do. They are kind, patient, dedicated and just amazing at making sure our kids are well taken care of while having fun both before and after school. We are so grateful to them!

Thank you for everything Karla, Sarah, Mikayla and Angela!

From Vaishna S

To all the child care educators i appreciate all of you especially the ones that watch over my twins you guys are amazing and keep up the great work


From Chantal Belasco

Thank you Ms Sue and Ms Tynika for providing such a fun and vibrant learning and playing environment for my son! He loves coming and gets excited for PA days because he knows he’ll spend the full day in the program! He also loves the healthy snacks you provide. Thanks again for helping him feel safe and cared for, you are an invaluable part of his education team!!

From Ella


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