The Unsung Heroes of Childcare – Why Respect and Support Must Be the New Standard
In every community, there are people doing quiet, powerful work that holds everything together. At Windy Hill Play, we believe childcare providers are among the most essential—and most overlooked—of these everyday heroes.
They are not “just babysitters.” They are nurturers, educators, healers, and community builders. They guide our youngest through their earliest experiences of the world. They teach empathy, encourage creativity, and offer a steady hand through tears, transitions, and triumphs. They are shaping the roots of our future—and they deserve far more recognition and support than they often receive.
Childcare Is the Foundation of Thriving Communities
In a healthy ecosystem, every part has a role to play. Flowers need pollinators. Trees need soil. And families need caregivers.
When we support care work, the whole community benefits:
Children develop confidence and strong social-emotional skills.
Families are less stressed and more connected.
Communities become more resilient and rooted in mutual support.
But in North Carolina, many childcare providers still earn far below a living wage. They often work long hours without the resources, rest, or recognition they deserve. And yet, they continue to show up with care, patience, and a deep commitment to the children they serve.
As one provider shared with us:
“Caring deeply takes effort, and like any muscle, it can get tired. Over time, I’ve learned to recognize that fatigue—and still, I care every day, and I care deeply.”
This work is hard. It’s also sacred. And it’s time we started treating it that way.
A New Way of Thinking About Care
At Windy Hill Play, we’re reimagining what it means to support caregivers—not just in words, but through real, community-based action. We call this our Care Team Level approach.
Our Mission:
To nurture a care team where each person’s unique strengths are honored, support flows both ways, and growth is rooted in joy, nature, and play. Through collaboration, flexibility, and shared purpose, we cultivate an environment where caregivers feel valued, connected, and part of something bigger.
Our care providers are an essential part of the flexible village we’re building—one rooted in an abundance mindset where everyone has something to offer and receive. Just as children thrive in nurturing, playful environments, so too do the adults who care for them. By infusing nature, play, and a deep respect for individual rhythms into our team culture, we make it possible for care work to be not only sustainable, but joyful.
Support Can Start Small
Creating a culture of respect doesn’t always require big gestures. Often, it’s the little things that matter most:
Notice the care. Reflect back the small moments of magic you see providers create with your child.
Share what you have. A meal, a kind word, or an extra hand during transitions can mean the world.
Bring your gifts. Whether you love storytelling, gardening, or organizing, your contribution matters.
Build bridges. Strengthen the connection between home and care—this is where community grows.
Honor boundaries. Respecting rest, time, and capacity is part of valuing care.
These small acts help us build a culture where childcare providers feel seen, supported, and rooted in a community that has their back.
We All Have a Role to Play
We are part of a growing movement in Durham—and beyond—that believes care work is essential work. That our values should be reflected in how we treat those who care for our children. And that real change happens when we come together with shared purpose and mutual respect.
So we leave you with this challenge:
How do you demonstrate what you value?
Because when we create systems where caregivers’ basic needs are met, we make it easier for all of us to live our values. We make it possible for children to grow in safe, joyful environments. And we begin to build a future where no one who holds a community together is ever left holding it alone.