WHEREAS, children are Alaska’s most valuable asset, and quality care, stimulating learning environments, and positive early experiences help prepare them for a bright and successful future; and
WHEREAS, although parents are the most important caregivers in a child’s development, adults that provide child care services also embrace the role of guiding and nurturing children throughout the stages of childhood to become well-rounded, healthy, and productive members of society; and
WHEREAS, childcare providers play a crucial role in supporting families by helping children meet their cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and literary needs, especially during their formative years from birth until age six, which is the most crucial stage in brain development; and
WHEREAS, providers create safe learning environments, implement teaching strategies that facilitate learning, are knowledgeable about the developmental stages of growing children, and support children throughout their journey into early adulthood; and
WHEREAS , a large portion of children under the age of six in Alaska are in licensed or approved child care facilities, and many more receive care from certified military facilities, tribally licensed facilities, Head Start programs, and legally exempt providers; and
WHEREAS, child care providers are a cornerstone of our State’s infrastructure and a vital resource to support working families, and as our State’s future depends on its children, the commitment to providing high quality child care services represents an investment towards a better Alaska for all.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim May 10, 2024 as:
Child Care Provider Appreciation Day
in Alaska and encourage all Alaskans to acknowledge and appreciate the immense contributions child care providers bring across our State.
Dated: May 10, 2024
