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This year’s Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week begins today, April 25th. Vermont’s Department for Children and Families, Child Development Division would like to recognize and express deep appreciation for the immense dedication of all the professionals who work with Vermont’s children and youth during out-of-school time hours.
We recognize that Vermont’s out-of-school time professionals make a profound difference in the lives of every child and youth they serve, positively affecting families, communities, and ultimately businesses as well. These professionals help our children and youth reach their full potential by providing access, in a safe environment, to meaningful teacher-child relationships and exposing them to new experiences and opportunities that extend beyond what they may gain at school or at home.
Vermont’s out-of-school time workforce provides extended learning opportunities to children and youth across various settings. In addition to Vermont’s 157 licensed Afterschool Child Care Programs, there are 186 licensed Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs and 425 Registered and Licensed Family Child Care Homes that may also serve school-age children with programming delivered by a strong and dedicated workforce. Additionally, many programs provide essential wraparound services for children and youth, providing opportunities to keep them engaged, enriched, and supported during out-of-school time hours.
The Child Development Division is grateful to the out-of-school time professionals for what they do to partner with families to support children and youth’s social-emotional and physical health, growth, and development. We know the pandemic has created an additional layer of challenges to this work. We stand in awe of how the early childhood and afterschool workforce have tirelessly innovated to meet those challenges.
To all of Vermont's out-of-school time professionals: The role and services you provide to support and care for Vermont's children, youth, and families’ matter. Thank you for all you do!