“In a world increasingly challenged by the erosion of core values such as kindness, acceptance, truth and fairness, your role in shaping the future becomes even more critical,” said UFT Family Child Care Providers Chapter Leader Tammie Miller, addressing more than 500 providers and guests at the 11th annual Provider Appreciation Awards Ceremony on May 10.

Nearly 60 members of the UFT Family Child Care Providers Chapter were honored for offering exceptional care at their home-based child care centers.

Shanker Hall at union headquarters was packed and the mood was festive. Providers brought their partners, their parents and their children and wore their most elegant attire for the event.

The theme of the celebration was “igniting excellence in early childhood education.”

UFT leadership and guest speakers emphasized the role that providers play in not only caring for and preparing children for school but also in stabilizing families and therefore the city’s economy.

“It is no longer a question that we need to provide early childhood support for every family that needs it,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew. He said it’s been “a long, long road” to recognizing that parents, and especially mothers, can’t participate in the workforce unless they have safe, high-quality child care.

Erica Berger

Yahia Williams, the owner of a Bronx child care center who was honored with a Community Champion Award, is hugged by her daughter.

The demand for child care is up in recent years. The MyCity portal has led to an increase in applications for care, expanding the number of children served by UFT providers by 13%, and the number of providers has increased by 11% since January 2023, said Margaret Pletnikoff, the deputy commissioner and chief financial officer of the city’s Administration for Children’s Services, who was a speaker at the event.

As a chapter, providers have much to celebrate: There is significant new federal and state investment in child care programs in New York. Of UFT-represented providers who have cared for a child in the last two years, 75% are now being paid at the 2022 market rate, the maximum rate that child care providers are paid by New York state for state-subsidized child care.

Lourdes Polanco, who won the Outstanding Professional Services Award, brought two generations of people she’s cared for as her guests — a little girl who is currently in her child care center; the girl’s mother, who was cared for by Polanco; and another now-grown former charge who enrolled her son in Polanco’s facility. Polcano said that she was honored to win the award because the work that providers do is critical to the well-being of New York City families. “I love what I do,” she said, “and I do it with passion, dedication and awe.”

UFT Paraprofessionals Chapter Chairperson Priscilla Castro and UFT Vice President for Elementary Education Karen Alford were honored with Union Leadership Awards. Said Alford, “As a mom of four, you all were my saving grace.” Alford gave a particular shoutout to Betty Grell, the provider who cared for her son. “I knew he was safe and well fed — he loved Ms. Betty’s spaghetti — and his mind was stimulated,” she said. “I went to work with a clear mind.” Grell, who was at the event, received an award for regulatory compliance.

Erica Berger

Accepting their Chapter Leadership Awards from Chapter Leader Tammie Miller  (second from left) and Chapter Vice Chair Melissa Reed  (far right) are Lashanda Fraser (far left) and Wanda Peguero (second from right).

Family child care providers care for tens of thousands of New York City children from all backgrounds and walks of life. Katia Novas, who won the Community Champion Award, provides care in three languages, as she has children who speak only English, only Spanish and only Bangla. Navas and her Bangladeshi assistant also support parents in navigating city services.

Said Mulgrew, “This city owes you a great deal of gratitude.”