April 10-16 is The Week of the Young Child

April 10-16 is The Week of the Young Child, an annual celebration first established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This year, Butler Community College Association of Early Childhood Education (BCCAECE) hosted their own event for the special week and recognized numerous area early childhood professionals for the positive impact they make in the lives of children and families.

The Week of the Young Child was created to publicly focus on the needs of young children and their families, while also recognizing the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. To kick the week off, the BCCAECE recognized 49 area professionals with Impact Awards during an award ceremony held Sunday, April 10, at Central Christian Church in Wichita. The award recipients were selected from more than 100 nominations.

The following early childhood professionals were awarded certificates in one of three categories:

The Pamela Smith Home Provider Award, given in memory of BCCAECE vice president and Butler student who passed away in November 2015. This award was given to home daycare providers who exemplify Smith’s compassion and ability to love and nurture children as if they were her own. Those presented with the Pamela Smith Provider Award include: Amanda Anderson of Amanda Daycare Home; Joy Becoat of Angel’s of Joy Daycare; Nicolette Rose Ellison of Forever Learners; Shayna Richardson-Jennings of Nana’s Childcare; Eddie Portz of Kid’s Korner; Ashlee Carr of Peas in a Pod Daycare; Debbie Forster, Debbie’s Daycare; Turi Horton, Turi’s Little Angels Daycare; Carla Russell, Carla’s Curiosity Corner; Kim Stringer, Kreative Kids; and Barb Wiens, Barb’s Daycare.

The Center Staff Impact Award is given to individuals providing direct care to children, and exemplifying  level of care and concern to positively impact children and their families. Recipients of the Center Staff Impact Award include:

Wichita State University Child Development Center: Shauna Barnes, Tiffany Roberts, and Hallie Good
Wichita Collegiate School Early Childhood Center: Julia Collier, Victoria Ruffin, Cheryl Snyder, Cindy Johnson, Belinda Mould, and Kathy Wagner
Primrose School of Wichita East: Taylor Deal, Brianna Kirkpatrick, Mariah Ross, Kylie Fogler, Nicole Ledbetter, and Brianna Ramsey
Tutor Time: Elizabeth Jones and Erica Rhoads
Basic Beginnings Preschool : Renee Kroskey, Whitney Dhakal, Susan Hale, Diana Poell, Lynny Poell, Lori Ramirez, Pam Waller, Jordan Walstad, and Sherry Wynn
Adventure Planet: Jessica Dell, Rose Martinez
Central Christian Preschool: Michelle Meyerhoff, Regena Tinius, and Angela Jones
East Heights Preschool: Elaine Green

The Center Administrative Award, given to center directors or assistant directors nominated by their staff as exemplary representatives of The Week of the Child mission. Center Administrative Impact Award recipients include: Tricia Bassingthwaighte of New Generations Early Learning Center in Augusta; Kasha Himes of Women’s Recovery Center; Jillian Hoefer of the Wichita State University Child Development Center; Shelley Hunt, E.L.F. Children’s Center; Becky O’Hearn, Wichita Collegiate School Early Childhood Center; and Tabitha Young of Trinity Daycare and Preschool.