EO Shared Services Alliance honors early childhood educators during Provider Appreciation Week

In celebration of National Provider Appreciation Day on May 9, the EO Shared Services Alliance (EO SSA) proudly recognizes the extraordinary dedication of child care providers throughout the region with a weeklong tribute during Provider Appreciation Week, May 5–9.

National Provider Appreciation Day, celebrated annually on the Friday before Mother’s Day, is a special day to honor child care providers, teachers, and other educators of young children nationwide. Providers play a critical role in nurturing and educating children during their most formative years, often going above and beyond to support families and communities. Provider Appreciation Week extends this celebration by offering a full week to acknowledge their tireless efforts, highlight their vital contributions, and express collective gratitude.

About the EO Shared Services Alliance

The EO Shared Services Alliance is a program of EO Companies, designed to provide early childhood providers with access to comprehensive back-office services, including accounting, payroll, marketing, human resources, and business coaching. By offering these services, EO SSA helps child care businesses reduce operational burdens, streamline administrative tasks, and achieve greater financial stability.

These services are crucial because they allow providers to focus their time and energy where it matters most — on educating and caring for children. By strengthening the business side of child care operations, EO SSA helps providers:

• Save money and operate more efficiently
• Increase enrollment capacity
• Attract and retain high-quality teachers
• Expand access to high-quality child care for more families

Ultimately, the support provided by EO SSA ensures that child care businesses are stronger, more sustainable, and better positioned to meet community needs.

Importantly, the EO Shared Services Alliance is made possible in part through the generous support of the Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia. Their investment ensures that providers across the region have access to the high-quality business and operational resources they need to thrive.

Celebrating Providers Throughout the Week

Throughout Provider Appreciation Week, EO SSA is engaging its members with daily social media activities, reflections, and giveaways designed to foster connection, celebrate achievements, and spotlight the impact providers have on families and communities. Providers who participate will be entered into drawings for prizes, including a professional development workshop, further investing in their growth as leaders and educators.

“We believe in celebrating our providers not just for what they do, but for who they are: leaders, educators, and changemakers in our communities,” said Travis Staton, EO President & CEO. “Provider Appreciation Week is our way of showing how deeply we value their dedication.”

By participating, providers are also reminded of the wide range of resources available to them through the Alliance — from professional development opportunities and affordable employee benefits to enrollment and marketing support.

“At EO, we’re not just about business solutions, we’re about people,” said Lindsey Holderfield, Director of Employer Services at EO. “Our educators work tirelessly to create safe, nurturing environments for children. We’re here to make sure they feel supported in return.”

Winners of the week's social media contests will be announced on Monday, May 12.

EO SSA encourages all providers — and the broader community — to take a moment this week to celebrate and thank the educators who give children a strong start.

To learn more about EO Shared Services Alliance or to become a member, visit EOco.org/SSA.