Events

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 :)

A 6-hour professional development workshop exclusive to directors of licensed child care centres on PEI. Spend the day with Jennifer Nangreaves and Megan Drummond delving into the Onboarding Toolkit - A Guide for Directors. The ECDA has created this ready-to-use resource and workshop training through funding from the Government of Canada and the Government of Prince Edward Island.  This workshop is designed to support Island leaders in implementing and enhancing a robust employee onboarding process. We will spend the day reviewing the Onboarding Toolkit - A Guide for Directors and practical processes within it. If you are curious about onboarding and why it is integral to creating a culture of excellence in your centre, this workshop is for you! 

“Courageous conversations mean having the courage to show up when you can’t control the outcome.” ~ Brené Brown The ECDA is excited to host ECE Sharing and Networking sessions. These are open door meetings that welcome anyone working as a front-line educator. These meetings will provide space to gather with other early childhood educators to share what is on your heart or to seek support. The meetings are a place to listen, provide encouragement, share resources, and connect with your colleagues across the province. We would love to welcome at least one ECE from every Island centre to the network, and we realize some meeting dates will work better than others - so come when you can! The agenda for these sessions will be very flexible and will build over time based on the interest of those participating. Recently we have discussed things such as Dual Language Learners, Behaviours, PD wishes and many other! Come join us this month to see what comes up:) Registration for network meetings is required. This meeting will run with a minimum of 4 participants. These will be held once a month, so come when you can! Based on feedback we have flipped these to be entirely virtual:)

The School Age Supervisor's Network Meeting will take place on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Based on your feedback, we're now offering a hybrid option for this session. This network is open to all supervisors, directors, and administrators of licensed school-age programs. Our goal is to foster open conversation and collaboration to improve quality practices related to human resources, policies, pedagogy, and leadership. We welcome you to attend as you are, whenever you can, if you are in a supervisor position. During each meeting, we will share insights, support one another in our professional and pedagogical roles, delve into topics of interest and current trends, and address daily practices. Together, we will focus on solutions and engage in lively, respectful discussions. We would love to see representatives from every school-age center as we continue to support each other. Please feel free to bring a colleague—we look forward to meeting you or welcoming you back.

Directors join us for a retreat specially crafted with you in mind! Day One: March 25th, 1-3:30 + 5:00--7:00 Navigating the Emotional Landscape as Leaders with Mary Hewitt:In this session, Leaders will learn how to support staff and themselves through BIG emotions—ensuring their workplace honours the human experiences of suffering and resiliency, rather than pretending emotional turbulences do not exist in workplace settings.  When we can bravely face our own emotional landscape, and learn how to support others in meeting their emotions with courage, we create working relationships rooted in safety and trust—and a workplace culture of "overcoming together".    Followed by an evening Fireside Chat and supper 5:00-7:00 In a facilitated discussion with Mary Hewitt, Leaders will reflect upon the Introduction of Brene Brown's book, Rising Strong. Prior to attending, please ensure you've read the full introduction ("Truth and Dare", pgs. xvii-xxviii). You will receive a copy of the book as part of the retreat!   Day Two & Three: March 26th & 27th  From Values to Visioning:  Nurturing the Intentional Leader Within with Mary Hewitt: Overview: In this 2-part session, leaders will begin with facilitation through a deeply reflective exercise designed to: unearth their fundamental core leadership values, understand how they are expressed (or, repressed) in their everyday practice, and learn to live and lead in true alignment with these values. In the second part of this series, leaders will be facilitated through the creation of vision boards which will include clear linkages back to their established values. Leaders will reflect upon their ‘visions for the future’ in sharing circles, strengthening their understanding of themselves and their peers.  When offered in a retreat format, leaders can create meaningful relationships and connections with one another—with values and visioning at the forefront. Leaders will be encouraged to have meaningful conversations with one another and to consider ways they can maintain these essential connections long after the retreat has concluded.  As a compliment to this work, leaders will gain the skills and processes to take the ‘values to visioning’ exercise back to their early years programs and be equipped with the tools to facilitate teaching teams through this exercise as well. A manual/guide will be provided to tailor this exercise to educator teams, along with an overview of impactful ways they can apply this process in their centres on an annual basis.  This series is a thoughtful combination of: deep reflection, meaningful conversations, hands-on creative expression, and tangible takeaways/tools to enhance future practice.   Additional Event Details & Information:  There are two pricing options, please choose what serves you best!  Retreat plus a two-night hotel stay (single occupancy) Retreat only Mill River has graciously provided us with a preferred room rate for retreat participants, which is reflected in the pricing options. If you would like to room with a friend email Megan at [email protected] and provide both names prior to registering    You must be present for both the 26th and 27th to gain hours for this portion as they are two parts of a session, partial hours will not be given for this. Please note, each price also includes: Snack and Supper on Wednesday Breakfast, lunch and snack for Thursday and Friday.   Early Bird registration is now open and expires on March 9. After this date, registration fees will increase by $100-- Space is limited so register today! Additional information, including accommodation details and a full agenda breakdown, will be shared with all registrants closer to the event.   Facilitator BiographyMary Hewitt , founder of Unlocking Childhood, is an experienced public speaker, writer, and consultant specializing in the well-being of children, parents, educators, and child-centered professionals. With 15 years in the Early Learning field as a classroom educator, early childhood education professor, and early years system leader— she leverages her expertise to develop engaging and meaningful learning experiences for her clients. Mary holds a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor of Education degree, a diploma in Early Childhood Education, and a Psychology degree. Mary dedicates much of her work to topics such as: well-being and mental health; the ‘childhood trauma-informed’ approach; how to develop an ‘attachment lens’; and nurturing emotional competence. She has captivated audiences with hundreds of attendees and has delivered her work in a variety of contexts from large-scale arenas to individual classrooms. Mary offers keynotes, workshops, conferences, virtual sessions, and even one-on-one coaching and consultations. She has appeared as a guest on several podcasts and as a writer for various publications. Mary credits her eclectic experiences, extensive education, and neurodivergent mind for her dynamic approach—and is passionate about sharing it with the world! Mary resides in rural Ontario with her husband and three beloved dogs. We can’t wait to gather with you.