Sandy Alonzo, Director of the Cottage Preschool at the New Hampshire Community College, has received the prestigious Child Care Excellence Award by Providian Bank for her outstanding commitment and achievements in her field. Sandy received the honor recently in Concord with then Governor-elect Lynch present. Lynch spoke to those attending about the importance of early child care and education, and conveyed his respect for and congratulations to the 2004 honorees. "It was a great honor to be recognized as a professional in the field of education and to have the opportunity to share my concerns within the child care industry to many important people which can help improve the current state of child care."
The Providian Child Care Initiative was launched in 1997, and it was soon discovered that child care providers received little reward, particularly recognition, for the important job they do. In response, Providian asked parents, child care professionals, policy makers, and community leaders to nominate outstanding people in the field. The plan was to select, with the help of a review team, a few great examples of child care professionals who demonstrate dedication to high quality care and education of young children, leadership as a role model for other child care providers, and a sensitivity to the needs of working parents.
Child care providers have expressed how grateful they are that Providian has brought recognition to them and their field. This event is important to the future of child care: To be honored in this way publicly presents child care as an important service to parents and community and elevates the people who care for and educate young children to be respected and committed professionals.
Since 1999, the awards ceremony has been held in Concord, and every year the sitting Governor of New Hampshire has personally taken the podium at the ceremony to congratulate the winners and show support for quality child care. And every year over 200 community and child care leaders turnout from across the state to applaud their accomplishments.
Sandy has been involved in child care for the past 11 years. Her experience in child care began at the College in 1992 after obtaining her child care degree. In 1993 Sandy moved on to Colebrook to work as an Assistant Director/Preschool Teacher, commuting from Groveton, proving her commitment to her position. Soon, her career would take her to a Directors position at Groveton's Genesis Child Care Center. When Sandy started the program, the first day was attended by four children; upon leaving four years later, she had a waiting list of families wanting to utilize the program. Sandy returned to Berlin working at Head Start, a full day, year-round child care program. When Sandy spotted the ad in the paper for a Director at the Cottage Preschool at the college, she could not resist applying; she was hired in August of 2001. The program serves children ages 3-9 years, with room for 13 children. The child care programs at NHCTC are open to the community. They currently have 13 children enrolled, some part-time. Sandy said, "I love seeing the sparkle in their eyes, hearing the questions from their minds, feeling the genuine laughter from the bottom of their souls, and receiving their unconditional love on a daily basis". For more information about the New Hampshire Community College's preschool program, please call 752-1113, extension 1460.
"This is a well-deserved recognition. Sandy is one of the best in her field; she has a very real sense of what teaching and nurturing young children requires, in order for them to reach their full potential. She works with these budding minds and bodies with a good deal of thought, intention, and individual attention," said Susan Blais, Program Director.
2/11/2005