LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Child Care Planning Council, along with many other Lake County agencies, organizations and individuals, are uniting once again to honor Early Childhood Educators through the third-annual ECE Award program.

Each year, the event grows, as award-winners and nominees are honored by local dignitaries and leaders in the field.

This year’s event will be held at The Lodge at Blue Lakes to accommodate an even larger number of attendees.

Nomination forms are being distributed widely throughout the county at Lake County Office of Education, WIC and other public offices, and an online submission form is available to make nominating a professional as convenient as possible.

Nomination forms are beginning to pour in, and winners will be selected based on a detailed interview and evaluation process that reviews their education, commitment to their profession, and effectiveness in their role as educators.

To nominate an educator, please visit www.lakecountychildcareplanning.com.

Nominations must be received by April 5.

“Early Childhood Educators contribute significantly to our communities. Quality early childhood education dramatically impacts high school graduation rates, keeps our communities working, and helps our communities develop productive, effective citizens of the future,” said Shelly Mascari, of the Lake County Child Care Planning Council.

“Many of these educators have dedicated decades to their profession; their education in many cases equals that of the K-12 educator; and yet we were lacking a forum to recognize excellence in their field,” Mascari continued. “The goal of this program is to do just that.”

The winners will receive an award package that includes scholarships to our local community colleges, gift certificates for classroom materials, press recognition, award plaques and more.

Awards will be presented in the following categories:

• Provider of the year (family child care);

• Provider of the year (infant/toddler-center based);

• Provider of the year (preschool-center based);

• Provider of the year (after school-center based);

• Outstanding special needs inclusion;

• Leading the field.

To find out how to be involved in this program or support this important work financially, contact the Lake County Child Care Planning Council, 707-994-4795, www.lakecountychildcareplanning.com.