BROKEN BOW – Broken Bow’s own Heather Schmidt of Love and Learn Childcare has been one of 24 childcare providers in the state to be awarded an Early Childhood Champion award from the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative.
Schmidt has spent the last 18 of her 30-plus year childcare career in Broken Bow and says that the need for childcare is everywhere, but it isn’t just an issue of quantity. Staying sensitive to those ever-changing needs of her community’s youth has been key to maintaining a high level of care, Schmidt says, and has given her a perspective that has fostered her professional growth and success over those nearly two decades.
“There’s definitely a need for childcare, but more importantly, there’s a need for high-quality care. It’s important that early childhood professionals remain current on the education that they need to provide, and that they continue to be in tune with what families need and what children need. I can say that I’m certainly not the same childcare provider I was 18 years ago.”
The Love and Learn skipper says that understanding those needs has been a two-way street: the communication between parents and her organization brings an old adage to mind.
“Parents now are more educated as to what developmentally their children need. I think that childcare providers need to keep up with that as well, and partner with families to provide an environment that is meeting those needs. The whole statement, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ isn’t just a quote. It truly takes a community of people working together to educate and care for the future community leaders.”
Because of that connection with parents, Schmidt says her own philosophy around childcare has evolved to the standard it holds today. Again, the road goes in two directions: it is Schmidt’s community who nominated her for the honor, and she says such recognition goes further than anyone could know.
“It’s nice to know that I’ve had a positive impact on families and that they recognize how much I’ve put into creating a learning environment for their children. Sometimes it’s that recognition from the community that reignites your passion for your work.”
Schmidt’s award comes at a serendipitous time: not only have area organizations been working together to address the community’s childcare needs recently, but Governor Pillen has declared Friday, May 12 as Childcare Provider Appreciation Day.
Schmidt says that while she could celebrate the award as an individual honor, she hopes to use the recognition to raise awareness for the childcare needs of her growing community as a whole.
“It’s not just something that we’re struggling with, it’s everywhere. I think the best way to start tackling it is locally, and NECC giving out these types of awards is something that really draws attention to early childhood education and childcare and puts it in the spotlight.”
Schmidt has received from the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative a $1000 gift and a plaque in honor of her commitment to excellence in service to her community; as to where she goes from here, her aim is to become more involved with advocacy.
