Events

The in-person session will present an overview of the PEI Employment Standards Act with a discussion about many of its standards that would be of interest to employers and employees. By the end of the presentation, participants will have a clearer understanding of how the Act applies to their roles, ensuring they are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of employment standards. There will also be a Q&A segment, allowing for direct engagement and clarification on any specific concerns or questions. Facilitator: Robert Yeo, Chief Employment Standards Officer, Employment Standards Branch Department of Workforce Advanced Learning and Population   A reminder as this is a free session, ECDA has a payment policy for this-- Failure to attend will result in a $20 Admin fee being applied to your account, and you must pay this prior to attending any future free sessions. This policy has been implemented due to many no-shows at events. We value our facilitators and their time, and we often have to cap session capacity so not showing up for an event impacts others who may have wanted to attend. 

This session will explore ADHD, how this diagnosis can impact children within early years, and how one of the most important tools for support actually exists ‘outside’ of our classroom walls - not within it. Participants will work through past bias and misunderstandings of this diagnosis to create space for current, holistic, neurodiversity-affirming practice. We explore what’s happening at a brain-based level, and how engagement with nature and movement can not only properly support children with ADHD, but allow them to thrive. Facilitator Bio: Monica is a neurodiversity-affirming consultant, providing direct service delivery to children and their families for over 14 years. Her company, Bloom Behaviour, has taken her coast to coast across Canada and the USA encouraging educators to both honour and nurture neurodiversity with inclusive classroom spaces.   Participants will be given the link to the video and are required to participate in one of two ways-- with a microphone/built in speaker or through the chat. In addition there will be a log tracking which members contribute and which do not, and those that do not contribute will not receive PD hours. We ask that you leave your camera on for the session.

The session will review the relationship between screen time and health during the early years.  It will also review current recommendations for screen use in this age group, and ways to limit screen use in the classroom and at home.   Facilitator Bio: Travis Saunders is a Professor in the Department of Applied Human Sciences at UPEI.  His work examines the relationship between physical activity and health across the lifespan.

The Director Network Meeting gathers on the third Wednesday of each month from 9:30 am - 12:00 pm. We are happy to provide a hybrid meeting space, with the option to meet in-person at the ECDA Boardroom or via Zoom, to help with travel house ratio i.e., if you're cooking lunch. This network is open to all supervisors, directors, and administrators of licensed early learning and childcare programs. The intention of the group is to encourage open conversation and collaboration to enhance quality practices, such as human resource practices and policies, pedagogy, and leadership. We have an open-door policy for all network meetings, we invite you to come as you are, when you can, if you are in a supervisor position! We will share and support each other in our professional and pedagogical roles. Each meeting we will spend our time together thinking more deeply about topics of interest, current trends and daily practice. We will approach problems from a solution-based lens together and have lively and respectful round table discussions. We would love to have someone from every centre join us as we continue to support one another through the journey! Bring yourself, invite a friend, and we can't wait to meet you, or see you again :)

Targeted Social and Emotional Supports-Promoting Social and Emotional Competence in Children Children’s social and emotional learning is supported through caring relationships, consistent routines, and opportunities for children to express their feelings and interact positively with others. Educators can encourage these skills by modeling respectful behaviour, teaching emotional awareness, and creating inclusive learning environments. Working closely with families helps build a shared understanding of how to support children’s emotional growth both at home and in the classroom.   Facilitator: Carolyn Porter is an ASaP Coach with Kids Included. Her role is to support educators implementing the Pyramid Model in their childcare rooms to ensure all children's participation and belonging through responsive relationships, quality inclusive environments and supportive learning opportunities. She has lived in Grande Prairie for 9 years and lived in Ontario before that. Carolyn has 20 years’ experience working in child care in different roles (educator, director, supervisor, support). When she is not working, she is doing things with her 2 children and husband and baking sourdough.   Participants will be given the link to the video and are required to participate in one of two ways-- with a microphone/built in speaker or through the chat. In addition there will be a log tracking which members contribute and which do not, and those that do not contribute will not receive PD hours. We ask that you leave your camera on for the session.