Parenting has evolved significantly over the past century, with more moms in the workforce than ever before. In the U.S., where parental leave is often short, childcare providers play a crucial role in supporting working families.
Finding a caregiver who treats your child with love and attention can feel like winning the lottery. That’s why a video shared by mom Lauren Pontiff, capturing her baby’s daycare provider’s heartwarming reaction to their first steps, has resonated with so many people.
In the clip, daycare worker Shikira is seen playing with another baby on the floor while Pontiff’s child stands nearby, holding onto a table leg for support. As the little one takes their first wobbly steps, Shikira instantly reacts—her face lighting up with pure excitement. She claps, encourages the baby forward with outstretched arms, and when they reach her, she sweeps them up in joyful celebration.
Watch the sweet moment here:
This is what every working parent hopes for—someone who not only cares for their child but truly celebrates their milestones. Pontiff summed it up perfectly in her caption:
“The best feeling is seeing the excitement and how happy someone else can be for your child's first steps.”
In a comment, she added, “She’s loved all of our babies with ALL of her heart!! So glad to have Shikira in our babies' lives!! 💗”
While every parent dreams of witnessing their child’s first steps firsthand, life doesn’t always allow for it. Even without daycare, a baby could take their first steps while with a grandparent or babysitter. Some childcare providers choose not to tell parents when a milestone happens, letting them experience the excitement on their own. But in this case, having a daycare camera captured a moment that otherwise might have been missed—and it also highlighted the deep care Shikira has for the children in her care.
The comment section was filled with appreciation for her reaction:
“This is the kind of daycare worker every place needs!!”
“Imagine leaving for work knowing your kid is getting this kind of love. 😢❤️”
“The way she scooted forward like she couldn’t wait to love on your baby 😭”
“That’s how you KNOW you picked the right daycare! She loves your baby like her own 🖤”
Of course, as with anything online, not everyone had a positive take. Some commenters suggested that babies should be home with their mothers instead of in daycare. But this argument overlooks the financial realities that require many parents to work, as well as the fact that not every parent wants or is able to stay home full-time. If people truly want parents to be home for milestones like first steps, the focus should be on advocating for better paid parental leave policies—something the U.S. severely lacks compared to other developed nations.
For context, Norway offers up to 49 weeks of full paid leave, Sweden provides 390 days at 80% pay, and Bulgaria tops the list with 410 days at 90% pay. Meanwhile, the U.S. remains the only wealthy nation without any federally mandated paid parental leave.
Since daycare is a necessity for many families, it’s important to recognize and appreciate caregivers like Shikira, who go above and beyond to nurture the children in their care. Their love, patience, and enthusiasm make all the difference—providing working parents with reassurance and kids with a safe, happy place to grow.
Here’s to all the caregivers who treat the little ones they look after like their own. ❤️