Child Care Council Inc. recently honored four child care programs with its annual Start Bright Impact Awards for exemplifying the critical roles that high-quality child care and early education play in the lives of young people.
The award recipients were:
– Mary Deary, lead teacher at Brockport Child Development Center. She was recognized for providing activities designed with a child’s development in mind, such as art activities, spring flower planting, treasure hunting, working on table manners and coordination skills, and book reading.
– Cynthia Evans, a legally exempt provider in Greece, N.Y. Cynthia Evans was nominated for the care she gives the children of a single mother. The children are her sister’s grandchildren – her sister recently passed away, and watching them was a promise Cynthia Evans made to her sister.
– Irma Oquendo, a family child care provider offering a Spanish-speaking program in the city of Rochester, N.Y. Nominated by seven people, Irma Oquendo was described as being professional and prepared, with a real passion for her job. Irma Oquendo recently earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, as well as accreditation from the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC).
– TLFC Child Care and Learning Center in Brockport, N.Y. TLFC was recognized for offering an innovative intergenerational program that combines child care with an elder-day program; for supplying everything parents need, such as diapers, wipes, formula, and food; and for partnering with Kirby Farms to provide locally grown produce. Samantha Hooper, TLFC’s intergeneration program director, accepted the award on behalf of the center.
Honorees received their awards at Child Care Council’s Start Bright Gala, held at the RIT Inn and Conference Center in Henrietta, N.Y. The event celebrates the critical importance of early education and high-quality child care in ensuring children get a bright start to the future.
