City of Bowling Green proclaims May as Early Childhood Provider Appreciation Month

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- Dozens of city leaders and officials gathered at City Hall to celebrate the educators and early child care providers who help mold and shape the future of the city.

On Monday, officials proclaimed the month of May as Early Childhood Provider Appreciation Month.

The proclamation is meant to honor those who shape the future of our community.

Shawna Wood, executive director at Foundry Christian Community Center, emphasized that “every dollar that’s invested in a child before the age of five comes back to the community with a huge return on investment.”

Early child care providers are not just impacting children—they’re also offering essential support to parents.

Ella Hagan, a youth programmer at WCPL, shared, “For a lot of parents, it’s a relief, especially knowing that the community is ready.”

This sense of communal care and preparedness brings comfort to families and helps them thrive. Educators’ dedication to the next generation will create a ripple effect that lasts for decades.

Wood added, “I would rather, as an individual, invest my dollars into little ones whose future is so bright than wait until there are problems.”

The celebration served as a reminder that investing in early childhood is investing in a brighter future for all.