Early childhood educators honoured at appreciation evening

BY KIRK STARRATT

The Advertiser

NovaNewsNow.com

With very little along the line of formal recognition in their profession, holding an appreciation evening to recognize the important contribution local early childhood educators make to society on a daily basis was an important initiative.

Meaghan Forster, coordinator of the Early Childhood Development Support Centre at the Nova Scotia Community College Kingstec Campus in Kentville, said she recently sent out a flyer with information on the appreciation evening and the Caring at Work Awards to local early childhood education centres.

She asked early childhood educators (ECEs) to nominate colleagues deserving of an award, a process Forster coordinated on behalf of Child Care Connections Nova Scotia. The awards represent recognition from peers of an outstanding commitment to the profession.

There were six awards, consisting of a Caring at Work certificate and a pin from Child Care Connections, presented at the appreciation evening held at Kingstec Wednesday evening, Sept. 26.

The award recipients included Karen Layte of the Kingstec Campus Learning Centre, who was nominated by centre staff; Debbie Reimer, executive director of the Apple Tree Landing Family Education Centre, who was nominated by Holly-Lyn Robichaud; Sandra Weir of the ABC Nursery School, nominated by Corrine Langley; Julie Scotney of Love Your Child, nominated by Wendy Carty and Amy Cook; Kathy Connell of the Kings County Family Resource Centre, nominated by Noele Murphy-Martin; and Laurie St. Amour of the Wolfville Children’s Centre, nominated by Alice Taylor and other WCC staff members.



Important to recognize the contribution

Forster said coordinating the awards was important to her because there is nothing on a formal basis to recognize the outstanding work of ECEs. She wanted to take the opportunity to hold an appreciation evening to honour ECEs for their significant contributions.

“It’s important to recognize them for the important work they do on a daily basis,” she said. “The work they do is so valuable to the community.”

Forster said ECEs are a fun bunch to work with and they’re committed to bettering themselves through ongoing education and professional development initiatives.

“We stay together in this profession,” she said. “We understand what it takes and are very supportive of our colleagues.”

Another ECE Appreciation Evening was held at the NSCC COGS Campus in Lawrencetown Thursday, Oct. 4. The event featured Jeff Kelly, speaking on the importance of early learning and child care, and award recipients included Vickie Silver of the Middleton and District Daycare, nominated by Joan Weir; Lorie Neily of Wee Folk, nominated by Gisela Currie; Denise Naugler of Family Matters, nominated by Gisela Currie; and Cindy Caldwell of Jack and Jill Preschool, nominated by the board of directors.