Celebrating Child Care Providers
Provider Appreciation Day began in 1995, when NAFCC created a way for families and communities to recognize the people who care for and teach young children. In early years, recognition often came through handwritten notes, flowers, and small acts of thanks from parents.
During the 2000s and 2010s, greater awareness of the importance of early childhood education led schools, organizations, and communities to host larger events and public recognition efforts. Social media expanded those efforts and gave supporters new ways to share gratitude through campaigns such as #ThankYouChildCare and #ProviderAppreciationDay.
That growing national recognition has reached Nebraska as well. State and local leaders have increasingly honored child care providers through official proclamations and public events.
Nebraska leaders have recognized Provider Appreciation Day through recent proclamations, including:
- Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr. proclaimed May 8, 2026, as Provider Appreciation Day in Omaha.
- Governor Jim Pillen proclaimed May 9, 2025, as Provider Appreciation Day in Nebraska.
- Governor Jim Pillen proclaimed May 10, 2024, as Provider Appreciation Day in Nebraska.
Governor Jim Pillen will sign the 2026 Provider Appreciation Day proclamation on May 6 at the Nebraska State Capitol. These proclamations reflect growing recognition of the essential role child care providers play in Nebraska!
Child care providers do far more than supervise children. They help young children grow through early learning experiences, stability, and a safe, nurturing environment while parents are at work or school. Strong child care benefits children, families, communities, and the economy.
If a community spends $1 on high-quality early learning for a child, researchers estimate that child and society get about $7 to $12 back over time. That money comes from things like:
- kids doing better in school
- more graduating and getting better-paying jobs
- fewer needing special education or repeating a grade
- parents being able to work more
- less money spent later on social services
Even with that impact, many child care providers remain overlooked, underpaid, and overworked. Recognition helps communities show appreciation, raise awareness, and remind providers that their work matters.
Provider Appreciation Day is a time to celebrate the incredible, foundational work of child care providers and to say #ThankYouChildCare!
About the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative
Since our inception in 2014, the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative has grown into a leading organization that addresses the diverse needs of the child care workforce and the children and families they serve. Learn more at nebraskaearly.org/our-impact/