My Beautiful, Talented, Amazing Daycare Providers

To my beautiful, talented, amazing daycare providers;

Oh, how I love you. Let me count the ways. Wait, that's inaccurate, and plagiarism.

Oh, why I love you. Let me count the reasons.

1. You love my daughter, and you show her that love every weekday from 8:30 to 5:30. That alone makes you family. You love my daughter, even though you have your own kids to love. It takes a special kind of person to give that much of themselves.
2. You make my daughter feel safe enough to be adventurous. I see this in the bumps and scrapes she gets, and that your facility diligently informs me of in a timely manner. And you make me feel safe enough that I do not worry about the bumps and scrapes, because I know they were iced and kissed, and that my daughter was cuddled as much as she needed to forget about it.
3. You let my daughter get messy, in so many ways I could never have thought of. I do not mind when she comes home covered in dirt or paint or glitter, for it is your floor and tables covered in those things, and not mine.
4. You display her art proudly. She notices, and excitedly points out her scribbles and handprints to me as I walk through the building with her.
5. You did not freak out when I nervously informed you that we were not Christian. Your respect for our family's values has gone a long way in making me comfortable admitting that to other people.
6. You teach my daughter what she is ready to know, no matter how old she is. Your whole class of 2 year olds knows the alphabet and numbers to almost to 10. My daughter knows to put things away when she is done with them, and regularly goes on the potty. You see my kid, and not just standard development milestones.
7. You remember to tell me the little things. You fill me in on how my little one's budding personality is showing. You tell me the silliest or coolest or sweetest thing she did all day, every day. And that is precious to me.
8. It's like you can smell the ear infections. You have never been wrong when you have informed me that she was acting off, and I should probably take her to get her ears checked out. You are 3-0 this year alone.
9. You take the time to protect her. Eight little faces and arms and legs get sunscreen in the spring and summer, and eight little bodies got bundled and hatted and mittened all winter. I can barely do that for my one child. How do you manage to do them all and get them outside to play? But you do, every day.
10.  You are masters of zone defense. Where I would be herding cats, you have an organized game of ring around the rosie or story time or dance party or art. My daughter and all the children listen to you and respect you, because you have earned their attention and respect. And mine.

Happy Young Childhood Education Week.