How to Say Thank You to Your Child’s Early Childhood Educator

A thank you to your child’s educator doesn’t need a special occasion, but Early Childhood Educators’ Day, the first Wednesday of September each year, is a good excuse to share a kind word.

At Edge Early Learning, families were invited to share what their child’s educators mean to them, through written messages and video testimonials. These became posters for each centre, calling out educators by name, and a video series capturing what families had to say. It was a nice surprise for our educators. When they watched the videos, both educators and parents were left in (grateful) tears.

Watch the full testimonials

How to Say Thank You to Your Child’s Educator

When Edge Early Learning families were asked what they’d want their child’s educators to know, they didn’t reach for generic compliments. They named the specific things that mattered, a moment, a feeling, a habit.

If you’re not sure what to write, here’s what real Edge families said about their child’s educator or teacher, in their own words.

1. Thank them for a moment you’ll never forget

At Edge Kelvin Grove, Jaelyn described an educator sending her a video of her son crawling for the first time, something he hadn’t even attempted at home.

2. Thank them for easing the guilt of drop-off

At Edge Bilinga, Leah wrote: “Thank you for making a space where I don’t feel guilty leaving my kids.” At Kelvin Grove, Priya put it this way: “When they are well settled, you feel really good all day.”

3. Thank them for simply being trusted with your child

At Edge Beaudesert, Georgina said: “You can trust them. I don’t even think that they even realise how much of an impact they have.” At Edge Bilinga, Sonya said simply: “You don’t know how much this has meant to me.”

4. Thank them for going above and beyond

At Edge Wynnum, one family thanked Assistant Director Ash, who “always greets us with a smile, answers questions without hesitation, and brings such a warm energy to the centre.”

5. Thank them for the little updates that mean so much

At Edge Cannon Hill, one family wrote about Ms Tammy: “I especially enjoy her daily reports as she describes the events with such enthusiasm, it’s like reading a little story.”

6. Thank them for making your child feel like family

“Elenor always ensures we feel valued when we enter the toddler room, she remembers little moments through the day to share with us… creating a family feel within the toddler room,” said a Edge Angle Vale Rd parent.

If you’re looking for the words yourself, start with a specific moment. It’s what every one of these families did.

How Edge Early Learning Recognises Its Educators

Beyond this year’s celebration, Edge recognised strong family relationships through a Family Experience Champion Award, which draws on Edge’s Family Feedback Program. The program is designed to understand what families value most and turn that insight into real improvements.

Families are invited to complete a satisfaction survey three times a year, one per enrolled child, since each child’s experience can differ by room and educator, and can share on-the-spot feedback at any time without waiting for a survey. Edge also pays close attention to how families experience their first weeks at a centre, recognising how much those early days matter for building trust with a new educator team.

Edge Wynnum and Edge Grange have been named the program’s inaugural award recipients. This recognition reflects sustained family satisfaction, high engagement, and consistent, detailed feedback from families, with families at both centres saying they feel a strong personal connection to their team. Congratulations to both teams!

Edge also runs its own team member Excellence Awards each quarter, where team members nominate one another for living out Edge’s values of Community, Wellbeing, and Leadership. This is another way appreciation for educators, teachers, chefs, and support office team members is spread.

Find an Early Learning Centre Where Families Feel This Strongly

Families weren’t the only ones saying thank you. Centres across Edge marked the day in their own way too, from tie-dye shirts at Silkstone to 80s and Hawaiian dress-ups, beach themes, and shared cultural food, small gestures between educators and their own teams, echoing the same appreciation families were expressing.

Educators shape a child’s earliest experiences of learning, routine, and confidence outside their own family. The families quoted here made that plain in their own words. If you’re looking for an early learning centre where families feel this strongly about the team, find your nearest Edge Early Learning centre and book a tour.