Every day across Simcoe County, Muskoka and the District of Parry Sound, Child Care and School Age Educators help shape the future of their communities.
This week, the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is honoured to share our gratitude and appreciation for each and every one of them, and celebrate their profound impact in our communities for Thank an Educator Week.
Thank an Educator Week
October 19-23, 2026 marks Thank an Educator Week at the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, where we recognize, celebrate, and express our gratitude to all our YMCA Child Care Staff and School Age Educators across Simcoe County, Muskoka, and the District of Parry Sound who help our youngest community members grow, learn, and thrive.
“The YMCA has always shown such care and empathy, making my husband and me feel at ease. They would call with updates and share details, and truly treated all of our kids like their own,” said Kate, a child care parent.
Child care is so much more than minding children. Every day, our educators nurture passions, spark curiosity, and create inclusive, comforting spaces where every child feels they belong. In their care, children are free to laugh, play, build, and discover just how much they’re capable of. Our educators show up for all of it, from snack-time chats and mittens pulled on before outdoor play, to celebrating graduation days and small sparks of curiosity. They offer reassurance to parents at drop-off and steady support to working families. They make a difference that reaches far beyond the classroom.
Through play, connection, and curiosity, our Educators nurture the confidence that carries children forward in school and in life.
Watch the video below for a message to our Educators from members across our Y Team!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDTzU_TCD5o
Meet Our Incredible YMCA Child Care Educators!
All across Simcoe County, Muskoka and the District of Parry Sound, our dedicated professionals are shaping the future of our communities. This Thank an Educator Week, we’re celebrating the patience, creativity, and care our team brings to every moment.
Enjoy some images of our team in action!
Sparking Curiosity Through Learning
Some of the most meaningful moments happen when our educators settle in beside a child and open a book together. By being fully present, our educators show children that stories are something to share, savour and return to again and again. From Lauron partnering with children to read at Our Lady of the Bay, to Ellie sharing a story with pre-schoolers in Parry Sound, to story time under the sun with Angela, these quiet moments spark a joy in learning that grows long after the last page. We’re so thankful to our team for nurturing a love of reading in every child they sit beside.
Learning Through Play
Every day, our YMCA Child Care Team creates spaces where children feel welcome, valued, and free to be exactly who they are. As these photos show, our educators don’t just watch from the sidelines. They join in, from Lisa making play-dough cookies with the toddlers in Minesing, to interactive toys in the infant room at Our Lady of the Bay, to Kulsam Ansar engaging in pretend play as construction workers at Monsignor Clair.
These spaces are full of laughter, imaginative play and hands-on discovery, where our educators get to know each child as an individual. They notice what lights them up, nurture their curiosity and make sure every child knows they belong.
Bringing Fun Outdoors!
Some of the best learning lessons happen under an open sky, and our Educators bring the same curiosity and care outdoors that they share inside. Every child is welcomed into the adventure at their own pace. From taking the children for community walks at Georgian Bay District Secondary School Child Care, to our educators exploring the outdoors at the Midland YMCA, to rainy-day playtime at Mundy’s Bay Child Care. And let’s not forget the importance of getting ready to explore the outdoors! We’re so grateful to our team for opening the door to nature and for showing children, every single day, that there’s a place to learn, grow and thrive.
Celebrating Milestones and Supporting Everyday Moments
Our YMCA educators are there to cheer on every milestone! They celebrate the big days with big smiles and happy tears, such as celebrating our pre-school graduates at St. Ann’s YMCA Child Care in Penetanguishene, pictured above. Our amazing educators created a wonderful graduation experience, bringing children and families together to celebrate this exciting milestone. It was a beautiful opportunity to recognize the children’s growth, accomplishments, and friendships as they prepare for their next big adventure.
Our educators also make sure the smaller wins never go unnoticed, including every developmental milestone reached, even finding the joy of interactive learning shared with Tammy and a little one at the Midland YMCA.
Some of the most important care happens in the smallest moments. From staff sitting alongside children at mealtime at Georgian Bay District Secondary School Child Care, to spending one-on-one time getting ready to go outside in Our Lady of the Bay, these simple, everyday moments tell a child they’re safe, supported and deeply cared for.
Creating a supportive environment for each other
Not only do our Child Care Educators create a supportive, inclusive environment for children, but they also create a sense of community and belonging for each other. From celebrating a completed project with our Educators at Earl Rowe, to our YMCA Child Care team from Parry Sound, Midland and Penetanguishene gathering at YMCA Camp Kitchikewana, where they had the opportunity to connect, laugh and spend some time together outside of their busy centres, the support that they share ripples into their work every day. When our team comes together, that spark shines through everything they do!
Our Commitment to Communities
At the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, we believe that every child deserves a safe, inclusive space where they can explore, grow, and shine. Every child who walks through our doors brings something wonderfully their own, and our educators take the time to see it, celebrate it, and help it grow. In our YMCA Child Care programs, children are surrounded by people who believe in them, which builds a sense of belonging and confidence that follows them well beyond the classroom. Each day, our educators make room for curiosity, creativity, and connection. They help children build the skills and self-assurance to take on new challenges and reach their full potential.
This week, and every week, we invite you to Thank an Educator. A kind word, a handwritten note, or a simple “Thank You” can go a long way in honouring the people who give so much to our children, our families and our community.
If you’d like to further support the YMCA’s mission to uncover a stronger, more inclusive community, consider making a donation to help support families.