The District of Sparwood has received an honourable mention in the Ministry of Children and Family Development’s 2012 Child Care Awards of Excellence.

The B.C. government May 11 honoured child-care professionals, organizations, and local governments who have demonstrated outstanding service to children and families at the 2012 B.C. Child Care Awards of Excellence and Child Care Legacy Awards.

The awards, hosted by Minister of Children and Family Development Mary McNeil and MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena Colin Hansen, are held during the month of May to celebrate Child Care Month in B.C. The event featured the Dorothy Lam Children’s Centre choir, followed by an award ceremony and luncheon to honour the recipients.

The Child Care Awards of Excellence recognize outstanding contributions made by child-care professionals, innovative individuals, organizations and local governments who support child- care initiatives in their communities. Award recipients were nominated by peers, parents and local governments and chosen by a selection committee made up of individuals knowledgeable in the child-care field and ministry representatives.

The Child Care Legacy Awards recognize child-care facilities which have been serving children and families for 40 years or more.

“B.C.’s child-care and early learning professionals are a dedicated, caring group – and they bring such energy and enthusiasm to their jobs. The Child Care Awards of Excellence and Legacy Awards celebrate extraordinary contributions to children and families, and I would like to personally congratulate all of the recipients,” stated McNeil.

“Today’s award recipients have demonstrated a tremendous commitment to young children and to child care and early learning in this province. They absolutely deserve this special recognition for their dedication and outstanding service to families,” Hansen added.

And the winners are…

Child Care Awards of Excellence:

Ten child-care providers, organizations and municipalities have been awarded 2012 Child Care Awards of Excellence for their outstanding work on behalf of B.C. children and families.

General (four awards): Regional awards for licensed early childhood educators (ECEs) or licensed family child-care providers.

* Vancouver Island Region: Nancy Dobbs, Saanichton

* Interior Region: Linda Roth, Kamloops

* Coast Fraser Region: Maria Rodrigues, Richmond

* Northern Region: Elaine Kopetski, Quesnel

Aboriginal (two awards): One award for an ECE of Aboriginal descent working in a licensed child-care setting and one award for an Aboriginal organization offering care to Aboriginal children.

* Aboriginal ECE: Melanie Chickite, Campbell River

* Aboriginal Organization: Dakii Yadze Centre, Moberly Lake

Innovation (two awards): One award for an individual and one for a facility or organization demonstrating innovation in child-care programming.

* Shyrose Nurmohamed, Richmond

* Clubhouse Child Care Centre, Kelowna

Local Government (two awards): Two awards honour local governments that have demonstrated leadership in the development of initiatives, projects or programs that support the delivery of high-quality child care.

* City of Burnaby

* City of New Westminster

* Honourable Mention: District of Sparwood

Child Care Legacy Awards:

Fifteen child-care facilities have received Child Care Legacy Awards for 40 years of service.

* Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Vancouver Island Fifth Street Club -Nanaimo

* Child Development Centre of Prince George and District – Prince George

* Countryside Preschool – Saanichton

* Hobbit Hill Children’s Centre – Castlegar

* Lambrick Park Preschool and Childcare – Victoria

* Maple Ridge Adventure Preschool Society – Maple Ridge

* Oak Bay Parent Owned Preschool – Victoria

* Quesnel & District Day Care Centre – Quesnel

* Simon Fraser University Child Care Society Kahpoo Room – Burnaby

* St. Matthews Day Care Society – Burnaby

* Sunset Preschool and Out of School Care – Vancouver

* University of British Columbia Canada Goose Daycare Centre – Vancouver

* University of British Columbia Tillicum Daycare – Vancouver

* University of Victoria Out of School Centre 6 – Victoria

* Williams Lake & District Daycare Centre – Williams Lake.

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