Events

Looking for a quick and easy lunch option between breakout sessions? We’ve got you covered! We’re excited to share that UPEI Cafeteria will be offering a special lunch buffet just for our members. It’s the perfect way to grab a delicious meal, recharge, and get back to the sessions without the hassle of leaving the venue. Important: Tickets are pre-order only and will NOT be available on site, so be sure to secure yours in advance. Seats are limited, and they’re expected to go fast — grab your ticket now before they’re gone!

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 :)

In your role as an Early Childhood Educator, you work with many children and families and encounter many unique situations. In this session participants will have the opportunity to become refreshed, or introduced to Duty to Report. Join us for this informative session presented by experts from the Department of Social Development and Seniors on the Duty to report to child protection. This duty is a responsibility for every person who has the knowledge, or has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is in need of protection. During this presentation we will have lots of opportunity to ask questions and learn more about our Duty to Report. Facilitated by: The Department of Social Development and Seniors   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. 

In-Person Session for Directors and Supervisors (no hybrid option available)   The 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.