I am writing to reiterate what Kathryn Torres, Kelly Flynn and Jody Brakeley all said over the last two weeks. They wrote about the Early Childhood Guide included in the April 3 edition of the Addison Independent. I truly read it cover to cover.

I have had the privilege of a history of four decades of connection with early childhood educators and centers in Addison County. I was particularly drawn to the title of Ashley Bessette’s article: “Addison County At the Forefront of Childcare in Vermont.” That title set the tone for the entire guide. The other articles followed that introduction and painted a picture of the complexity and excitement of our quality programs in Addison County.

My first associations were with Mary Johnson and the Parent Child Center, both as an educator and a parent. Then came the Bristol Family Center. In my career as an educator, mediator and parent coordinator I was introduced to home daycares, preschools and the growing programs that have simply exploded now in our county. Thank goodness!

First, as a parent I learned about that dedication and the deeply nurturing care my daughter received. Her whole being was nurtured. Then, as a professional, I had many interactions with early educators. Every single person I encountered was committed to best practices and to challenge their own learning edges to best address the needs and learning of the children in their care. Sometimes that was challenging. My experience and job as a professional was to try to understand some of the impacts of individual family systems and circumstances on children. The early educators approached every situation with compassion, concern, curiosity and collaboration.

Over those four decades the tone was set for what is happening now in our early childhood programs. I am forever grateful for the earliest of early educators in our county. Even though some of those teaching currently in early childhood in our county may not know any of those early people, they are reaping the benefits of the foundation they laid in our county. Now they get to grow and expand on that foundation to cultivate programs for children growing up in 2025 and forward.

We are incredibly fortunate to have such a wide array of choice for early childhood programs in Addison County. Let’s not just celebrate this month, but every day. If your child attends an early childhood program or home childcare remember to say thank you. It means the world to those in which we entrust our care. They work hard to do the best for our children. Thank you to all who care for the youngest members of our communities.

Phoebe Barash

Retired Educator, Mediator, Parent Coordinator

Former Board Member Mary Johnson and Bristol Family Center