Every meal logged. Every lesson planned. Every scraped knee bandaged, every tear wiped, every small victory celebrated.
Childcare providers do this work day in and day out — and most of the time, no one is watching. Provider Appreciation Day (Friday, May 8) is the one day a year dedicated to making sure they know we see them.
Whether you’re a sponsor, a parent, or a fellow provider, here are meaningful ways to show appreciation this year.
The National CACFP Association is hosting Provider Day, a free virtual event for child care providers, on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The event takes place during Provider Appreciation Month and during the association’s 40th anniversary year.
Provider Day is designed as both a training opportunity and a celebration. Attendees can earn up to 2.5 hours of continuing education units (CEUs), and all live sessions will also be available on demand through May 31, 2026.
The lineup includes three live sessions:
There’s also an on-demand training, Explore New Foods with a Taste Testing Adventure, which covers strategies for introducing new foods and encouraging positive mealtime experiences.
Registration is free. Sign up at cacfp.org/provider-day →
Your providers are the backbone of your CACFP program. This is your chance to make that known.
Feature a provider in your newsletter or social media. Share their story, their strengths, and what makes their program special. (Need inspiration? Check out our Provider Spotlight with Miss Pam for an example of how a simple Q&A can go a long way.)
Send a handwritten note. In a world of emails and automated messages, a personal note from a sponsor stands out. Even a few sentences acknowledging their hard work carries real weight.
Share the NCA Provider Day event. Forward the Provider Day registration link to your providers — free CEU training is one of the most practical gifts you can offer.
Nominate a provider for a spotlight. Know a provider doing great things? We’d love to feature them. The KidKare Provider Spotlight series is always looking for the next story to share.
Explore NCA’s motivation resources. The National CACFP Association has a collection of Motivation & Celebration materials — including posters, social media graphics, and printable certificates — that you can use to recognize providers in your network.
You already trust this person with the most important part of your life. Let them know it.
Write a thank-you card with your child. Let your little one scribble, draw, or stamp on it. Providers keep these for years.
Share a social media shoutout. A quick post tagging your provider (with their permission) can brighten their day and bring visibility to their program. Use the hashtags #ChildCareProviderDay and #ProviderAppreciationDay to join the national conversation.
Gift something practical. A gift card to a grocery store, a coffee shop, or an art supply store shows you understand what their day actually looks like.
Learn about the Food Program. Understanding the CACFP and the effort your provider puts into serving nutritious meals can deepen your appreciation. Visit the USDA’s CACFP overview page to learn how the program supports your child’s nutrition and your provider’s work.
Nobody understands this work like another provider.
Drop a comment on a provider’s social media post. Whether it’s a menu share, a classroom setup, or just a photo of a messy art project — your encouragement matters more than you think.
Share a resource that helped you. A favorite recipe, a time-saving KidKare tip, a go-to sensory bin idea. Passing along what works for you is one of the most generous things you can do. Here are a few to get you started:
Attend Provider Day together. The NCA’s free virtual Provider Day event on May 16 is a great opportunity to learn, earn CEUs, and feel connected to a national community of providers who get it.
Join the KidKare community. Our Facebook group is a space where providers support providers — sharing menus, troubleshooting CACFP questions, and celebrating wins together.
As Miss Pam reminded us in her recent spotlight: take care of you, too. A refilled cup makes a better caregiver.
To every provider reading this — thank you. Not just on May 8, but every day.
