Our child care programs, summer camp, and forest school are child-centered and inquiry based.
We prioritize employee recognition at UCCC, investing in the professional development and growth of our employees, and rewarding performance and service.
According to Harvard Business Review ” Recognition is about giving positive feedback based on results or performance. Sometimes this happens in a formal way: an award, a bonus, a promotion, a raise. Sometimes recognition is given more informally: a verbal thank you, a handwritten note. All of these methods can be meaningful, especially if they’re done in a timely and genuine way. They’re also motivating and exciting — everyone wants their good work to be applauded.” We agree.
One of the ways we do this is through the annual Founders Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education; this year is the sixth year of the award.
About the Award
Commemorating Josie and John Harlow, whose vision launched our organization in 1983, the Founders Award recognizes UCCC educators who show:
- ongoing commitment to professionalism and leadership;
- development of caring and responsive relationships;
- innovation in curriculum and pedagogy; and
- promotion of well-being in the learning environment.
Thank you to those who submitted nominations for 14 educators this year.
Congratulations
The 2024 Founders Award was presented in front of more than 600 of our employees at our annual professional development program, by Ann Macdonald, VP Child Care Programs who showcased the talents of this year’s finalists:
Leah Brown, RECE (UCCC at Little Rouge PS)
Carolyn Dobson, RECE (UCCC at Boyne River PS)
Kassandrya Melindy, DAECE (UCCC at Assikinack PS)
And the Winner Is…
Leah Brown!
![UCCC 2024 Founders Award winner in foreground, accepting award and congratulations from UCCC presenters, with other finalists in background](https://uppercanadachildcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-05-Founders-Award-Blog-Updated-1024x681.webp)
Our Founders Award Wall showcases a tree with leaves displaying award winners’ names:
![The Founders Award Wall, tree with leaves, featuring award winners' names](https://uppercanadachildcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-05-Founders-Award-Blog-Updated-picTree-1024x596.webp)
![Leaf from Founders Award Wall: 2024, Leah Brown, RECE, Little Rouge PS](https://uppercanadachildcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-05-Founders-Award-Blog-Updated-pic5-1024x1024.webp)
Another significant perk of the Founders Award is that recipients receive a generous bursary that can be put towards technology, professional development, or wellness.
Join Our Community and Build Your Career with UCCC!
Check out our current opportunities and learn more about our Total Rewards Program, which includes competitive compensation, work-life balance, comprehensive benefit plan (for most positions), career development, and training performance, and employee recognition and service awards.
Interested in working for UCCC? Or know someone who is? See: Careers – Upper Canada Child Care
Help us put “a smile on each child’s face…every day.”