PSS invites child care providers, parents for free seminar

In line with today’s celebration of Child Care Provider Appreciation Day, the Public School System is inviting all Child Care Providers and parents to sign up for a free seminar.

Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos said the PSS Child Care Program is extending an invitation for the seminar entitled “Child Growth and Development” set for tomorrow from 8am to 12pm at the Aqua Resort Club.

The seminar is designed especially for child care providers in the CNMI and will have as speaker educational psychologist Mary Anne Stewart.

“Our program’s mission is to assist parents in our program promote, quality healthy child development, family self-sufficiency, safe and healthy learning environment, family involvement, and training and support for providers,” said Inos.

For more information contact the PSS Child Care Program office at 237-3018 or 237-3061.

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial signed a proclamation Monday designating today as Child Care Providers Appreciation Day. Officers and representatives from the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Child Licensing Program and Public School System Child Care Program and other organizations that provide child care witnessed the proclamation signing held at the Governor’s Office on Capitol Hill.

Fitial acknowledged the DCCA’s Child Licensing Program for supporting Child Care Provider Appreciation Day. He also recognized the aid of the PSS Child Care Program in this celebration.

The governor earlier said he’s begun to appreciate how difficult the job of child care providers are “and I think it is only fitting and proper that we take this time to duly recognize the hard work they provide to children and their parents.”

According to the proclamation documents, of the 21 million children under the age six in America, 13 million are at least in part-time child care. An additional 24 million school-age children are in some form of child care outside of school time.

“With both parents usually working to earn a living and to support their children, child care providers have become indispensable to many families, especially struggling single-parent families,” Fitial said.

DCCA Secretary Daisy Villagomez-Bier said that the CNMI counts on providers to work with children and teach them the important values that stay with them throughout their lives. “Child care providers help us get started on the right track,” said Bier.