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The often-overlooked job of early child care provider got its recognition Wednesday night.

Dozens of area child care providers from in-home to daycare centers were honored at the event sponsored by Mid-Iowa Community Action in conjunction with Provider Appreciation Day.

Allison Vaughn, child care resource and referral coordinator at MICA, said the work these providers do to take care of more than 2,500 children under the age of six in Marshall County needed to be honored.

"Providers are not recognized enough," she said. "This is a night for them to get some goodies, have a nice dinner and be recognized."

Vaughn called what the providers do "a very important job" and also said the night was a way for them to network and share ideas.

She said it "takes a special person to work in the child care field."

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Contact Andrew Potter at 641-753-6611 or apotter@timesrepublican.com