Event: ECDA's Start With Play Fall Conference 2026

Exp 06 PM: Advancing Equity and Belonging in the Workplace & The Power of Play

Morning Session: Creating equitable and inclusive workplaces requires more than good intentions—it calls for intentional action, reflection, and a commitment to fostering belonging for all. This interactive session will explore practical strategies for embedding equity into workplace culture, policies, and everyday practices. Participants will examine common barriers to inclusion, reflect on their own leadership and organizational practices, and leave with actionable tools to cultivate environments where every employee feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute. Whether you are a leader, supervisor, or team member, this session will provide insights and resources to help strengthen equity and belonging within your organization.

Afternoon Session: “Children in PEI are healthy and happy, curious and creative, playful and joyous.” (PEI Early Learning Framework, 2011)

As early childhood educators we know that play holds fundamental value for development and is key to children’s learning. Easy to say but can be harder to implement in practice. Outside pressures, which used to focus on academics, now include many other demands which can affect our ability to keep play at the center of our practice. Through activities and facilitated discussion, participants will explore their relationship with play and brainstorm ways to break barriers keeping play as a key focus of daily practice.

Come play, reflect and learn together in a session that will support you to revitalize the full power of play as you achieve PEI’s vision for children.

Date: November 5, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: PM: Murphy's Community Centre: Room 207