What follows is a letter from CUPE Local 79 President, Ann Dembinski, which honours those who work in childcare and early childhood education.

On behalf of Local 79, the Executive and the Child Care Committee, I would like to congratulate everyone on the 11th Anniversary of Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day being celebrated on Wednesday, October 26, 2011.

This year’s theme is, “Inspiring Leaders” and your training, knowledge and nurturing give children the skills and confidence they need to thrive – for a lifetime.

Child care in Toronto has certainly been in the news these past months with everyone acknowledging how vital your work is to children and families. City of Toronto directly-operated child care centres set a high standard of excellence across Ontario and Canada. Your work has provided this excellence, and Local 79 is proud to be your union. “Inspiring Leaders” is all in a day’s work for you.

Toronto’s high quality, award-winning child care system is being threatened with privatization by Mayor Rob Ford and his allies on City Council. I want to assure you that Local 79 is fighting very hard to protect and maintain the City’s child care system. This threat to child care has brought parents and communities together to defend and preserve the services you provide. Quality child care is essential to families who want to live and work in this City.

The work you do is vital to children and your commitment benefits communities across the City. Congratulations on doing such an important job, so well.

In solidarity,

Ann Dembinski
President