Governor Jim Pillen Proclaims May 9 as Provider Appreciation Day
Lincoln, NE – Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen officially proclaimed May 9, 2025, as Provider Appreciation Day in recognition of the state’s family child care providers. Staff from the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative (NECC) and Shannon Stutzman, a family child care provider from Columbus, NE, gathered at the Nebraska State Capitol to accept the Proclamation and celebrate family child care providers’ essential role in Nebraska communities.
“In Nebraska, approximately 72% of children aged 0-5 have all available parents in the workforce, meaning they likely rely on child care,” said Stutzman. “A child care provider’s job is to aid parents in the development of their child’s fine motor skills, their critical thinking, their response to stress, and their creativity.”
During her visit to the Capitol, Stutzman was accompanied by children in her child care program, including her granddaughter. Governor Pillen addressed attendees, expressing deep appreciation for the state’s family child care providers, even suggesting a more formal title that reflects their educational contributions.
“Are you up for a proposal that next year, we’ll rename this Child Care Educator Appreciation Day?” said Gov. Pillen. “It is an unbelievable number, right? 72% of all of us are working, and we need a lot of help, so God bless you for what you do. We’re really, really grateful. It is the most important job.“
With the majority of Nebraska families depending on early childhood education and care, the Proclamation highlights the profession’s importance in laying the foundation for the next generation of Nebraskans.
“The little ones in our care might only be 3 years old today, but the foundation we provide sets them up to be contributing members of society one day,” said Stutzman. “The children in our care are the future of this state.”
She concluded by acknowledging the significance of the recognition. “We know how important we are, and this Proclamation now shows the rest of the state how important we are, too.”
