Red Caterpillar Award

Description:

The Parkwood Children’s Centre is proud of the excellent care provided by its amazing and passionate employees. Sarah Miles proposed the idea of the Red Caterpillar Award as a way to recognize staff for commitment and excellence that goes above and beyond.

Sarah embodied excellence in her professional work, her volunteer work on the board and as a parent, friend and colleague. She was always striving to ensure the best quality care for patients and would go above and beyond for them at all times. Her most compelling attribute was how much she truly cared for and appreciated people and as a board member she looked for opportunities to recognize child care staff for the work they do. So, in memory of Sarah and her idea, Parkwood Children’s Centre started an annual award in 2017 to recognize a staff member for their contributions to excellence in care. Staff and parents will be given the opportunity to nominate a staff member. We ask that you write a short paragraph about why you feel this staff member deserves the award. The board will review submissions, pick the winner and present the award during a Zoom presentation this year.

What the recipient receives: Gift card, personal plaque and name on larger plaque that will be hung in the centre.
Nominations due: May 6, 2022
Eligibility: All employees of Parkwood Children’s Centre
Criteria: When nominating a staff member please use the criteria below to help write your nomination and please try to include specific examples.

The recipient of the award will have gone above and beyond regarding the following criteria:

Focus on those we serve

• Establishes a relationship with each child and family in the classroom to identify needs, goals, hopes, concerns and expectations regarding care and education;
• Observes each child and collaboratively, with other colleagues and family members’ input, establishes child-centered pedagogical goals based on the needs of the child;
• Provides holistic, individualized care, following standards of practice and promotes continuity of care among team members;
• Supports a culture of child, family and staff well-being;
• Treats others with respect, ensuring a sense of belonging for all is at the forefront of professional practice;
• Engages in reflective practice to ensure ongoing professional learning is a priority.

Plan, Innovate, Implement

• Contributes to an environment that supports creativity, research, critical thinking and positive change; both with staff and children;
• Incorporates advances in practice into provision of care;
• Improves systems and practices through evaluation and quality improvement initiatives;
• Contributes to evaluating/planning new directions for programs/services within a shared leadership environment.

Bring out the best in ourselves and others

• Contributes to a positive environment by demonstrating trust and respect;
• Practices ongoing, effective communication;
• Advances professional practice through mentoring, coaching, teaching, life-long learning and research;
• Pursues ongoing personal and professional growth to maintain professional standards.
• Acknowledges the contributions and accomplishments of ourselves and others.

Foster collaborative relationships

• Communicates openly and follows through on our commitments;
• Clarifies individual roles and accountabilities through mutual dialogue;
• Understands and values the role and contribution of other team members;
• Displays openness and flexibility to new ideas and approaches;
• Develops and nurtures academic and community partnerships.

Use resources wisely

• Practices sound time management, case management strategies and integration of services to maximize our efficiency;
• Seeks out new or alternative practice resources to maximize efficiency and effectiveness;
• Balances evidence-based practice with the resources available;
• Continually evaluates resources and resource use in terms of overall effectiveness and efficiency.

*Nominations may be submitted via email (Leanne.brady@sjhc.london.on.ca) or by filling out the nomination form below.
Leanne Argoso (Brady) is the President of the Board of Directors for Parkwood Children’s Centre.