Council honors area child care providers

Child Care Council Inc., a nonprofit that connects families with quality child care, recently honored local child care providers with its annual Start Bright Impact awards for exemplifying the critical roles that quality child care and early education play in the lives of young people.

The provider award recipients were Julie Bennett, of Early Learning Daycare in Geneseo; Rebecca Martinez, of Rattles, Blocks and Books Daycare in Rochester; Nancy Neuroth, of Little Monkey Shines in Penfield; and Joanne Dall, Amy DeSario, Michelle Hays and Gretta Schuler, of Penfield Village Nursery's pre-K program. "Julie is flexible, caring and compassionate," one nominating parent said. "My son will attend Julie's daycare until he cannot go anymore."

Martinez was recognized for her work in early childhood and adolescent development.

Neuroth, a provider for more than 50 years, was cited for her work to give educational lessons and for a preschool curriculum with nursery rhymes, letter recognition, letter writing, printing and counting.

Dall was recognized for being "a wonderful teacher with an enthusiasm to teach."

DeSario and Hays were nominated for their birthday celebrations, and for taking the time to share pictures of every child with the parents at the end of the year. Schuler was cited by a mother for the care she provided her son, who had become her son's best friend.

Honorees received their awards at Child Care Council's Start Bright Gala at Locust Hill Country Club in Pittsford. The event celebrated the importance of early education and quality child care in ensuring children get a bright start to the future.