CCSA’s 2024 Triangle Child Care Awards

Registration for this event is now closed. We look forward to seeing you there!

Every two years, Child Care Services Association (CCSA) gathers community leaders, child care providers and advocates to celebrate the dedicated individuals working to ensure the Triangle’s children receive the highest quality of early care and education.

Join us in recognizing a group of dedicated professionals who work each day to guarantee our children have the best possible start in life as we recognize three early childhood champions and present the Child Care Services Association Public Service Award, the Dorothy B. Graham Early Childhood Leadership Award and the Mary Y. Bridgers Early Childhood Teacher Award.

Friday, March 8, 2024 | 8:00 am

The Friday Center
100 Friday Center Dr.
Chapel Hill, NC 27599


Sponsorship Opportunities

We invite you to join us as a sponsor of the Triangle Child Care Awards to bring community awareness to the work being done on behalf of the Triangle’s young children.

The Triangle Child Care Awards would not be possible without the support of our sponsors.

Thank You to Our 2024 Advocate Sponsor!

Thank You to Our 2024 Friend Sponsors!


About the Awards

CCSA will present the following three awards recognizing the impact of early childhood educators, public servants and the community on young children and their families.

Child Care Services Association Public Service Award

Because young children cannot speak for themselves, they are often dependent on public officials and community advocates to speak on their behalf and to create public policies that will protect them and enrich their lives. Therefore, the Child Care Services Association Public Service Award was created in 2000 to recognize and honor volunteers and elected public officials who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the quality of early education and have made a difference in the lives of young children in the Triangle.

Nominate a public official or community volunteer who has provided outstanding service on behalf of the Triangle’s young children.

Dorothy B. Graham Early Childhood Leadership Award

The Dorothy B. Graham Early Childhood Leadership Award is given to an individual who has been a leader in improving early education and who has made a difference in the lives of young children in the Triangle. This award was created in 1998 and was named for Dorothy B. Graham in recognition of her more than 25 years of leadership and dedication to the early care and educational needs of young children in Durham County and statewide.

Nominate an individual who has provided exceptional leadership in improving child care in the Triangle.

Mary Y. Bridgers Early Childhood Teacher Award

The Mary Y. Bridgers Early Childhood Teacher Award is given to an early childhood teacher and three finalists in recognition of their professional commitment and outstanding care to children in the Triangle. Created in the 1980s, the Mary Y. Bridgers Early Childhood Teacher Award is named for Mary Y. Bridgers in recognition of her more than 30 years of service in Orange County as an early childhood teacher and advocate for children.

Nominate an early childhood teacher for their outstanding commitment and care to children in the Triangle.

Nomination deadline: January 19, 2024


Congratulations to the 2022 Triangle Child Care Award Winners and Special recognitions!

Early Childhood Champion

Congressman David Price

Watch the video

Early Childhood Champion

Representative Verla Insko

Watch the video

Early Childhood Champion

Michele Rivest

Watch the video

Child Care Services Association Public Service Award Winner

Representative Julie von Haefen

Dorothy B. Graham Early Childhood Leadership Award Winner

Peggy Ball

Mary Y. Bridgers Early Childhood Teacher Award Winner

LaTida Adams
from A Brilliant Beginning Daycare in Durham

Mary Y. Bridgers Early Childhood Teacher Award Winner

Michelle Tuttle
from Estes Children’s Cottage in Chapel Hill

The 2022 Mary Y. Bridgers Early Childhood Teacher Award finalists and semi-finalists were…

Finalist: Pebbles Lucas from First Chronicles Daycare Center in Durham

Finalist: Bernita Mavhura from Early Preschool and Learning Center in Raleigh

Semi-Finalist: Daniel Mabini from The Whitted School in Durham

Semi-Finalist: Aisha Hassan from Wanda’s Little Hands Educational Center in Raleigh

(from left to right) Peggy Ball, Pebbles Lucas, Michelle Tuttle, Bernita Mavhura, Rep. Julie von Haefen, Rep. Verla Insko, Daniel Mabini, Michele Rivest, Aisha Hassan and LaTida Adams.

Congratulations to the 2020 Winners!

Child Care Services Association Public Service Award

Senator Floyd McKissick Jr.

Child Care Services Association Public Service Award

Reverend Dr. Michael Page

Dorothy B. Graham Early Childhood Leadership Award

Pam Dowdy

Mary Y. Bridgers Early Childhood Teacher Award

Graciela Muñoz

Learn more about the 2020 Triangle Child Care Awards winners. »