Events

The ECDA team and board are proud to present an opportunity for directors, leaders, and stakeholders to come together strengthen relationships, reflect and grow. We will be joined by Bruce Joshua who's motto is: People. Purpose. Perspective. For the morning we will dive into: Culture and Generations Discover how to build a workplace where everyone feels seen, valued, and included. This session explores the foundations of belonging, the realities behind exclusion and discrimination, and the practical steps leaders can take to create a more welcoming environment. Participants will also examine the often-overlooked strengths of introversion in leadership and teamwork, gaining insights that help every individual contribute authentically. An engaging session for professionals committed to shaping a more inclusive, connected organizational culture. In the afternoon we will dive into: Performance Appreciation Transform the way you think about performance appraisals. In fact, let’s change the name, and the mindset! They are performance appreciations! This dynamic session shows how simple shifts can turn evaluations into meaningful conversations that build trust, spark growth, and strengthen workplace culture. Participants will learn practical ways to make feedback more natural and constructive, while also boosting retention, belonging, and overall team success. Perfect for leaders who want performance management to feel less like a task and more like a powerful tool for connection and clarity.   Facilitator Bio Born and raised on Isle Madame in rural Cape Breton, Bruce now makes his home in the Évangeline region of Prince Edward Island. His lifelong commitment to community is reflected in decades of involvement in literacy, education, culture, sport, and recreation—always with a focus on improving quality of life and expanding access to services. Alongside his professional work as an educator and consultant, he has volunteered extensively and served on numerous boards, contributing to community development at every level. Bruce began his career after completing a Bachelor of Education (Physical Education) at Université de Moncton. He later earned three Master of Education degrees: School Administration (Université de Moncton), Curriculum and Instruction (University of New Brunswick), and Leadership and Administration with a specialization in Mental Health (St. Francis Xavier University). He is also a certified Project Management Professional, earning his PMI designation in 2020 and renewing it in 2023. With thirty years in public education, Bruce has held progressive leadership roles and has designed and delivered professional learning locally, regionally, provincially, and nationally. He has taught in the Master of Education program at St. Francis Xavier University, offering courses in change dynamics, leadership, and administrative theory. As a consultant, Bruce has developed and facilitated workshops on outdoor and community-based education, mindfulness, governance, diversity, effective communication, courageous conversations, and HR-related planning. His experience as an athlete, volunteer, educator, and entrepreneur uniquely positions him to support leadership teams in inspiring staff, clients, and communities. Grounded, approachable, and deeply people-focused, Bruce looks forward to working with your teams in the spirit of Capstan Consulting’s motto: People. Purpose. Perspective.

The ECDA Board and staff are proud to present our 2026 Spring Conference: Nurturing Your Pedagogy. This event has been thoughtfully developed based on the voices, feedback, and engagement of you, our members! Whether you are just beginning your career, growing into your leadership, or somewhere in the middle, no matter where you, we are all continually shaping and refining our personal pedagogies. Pedagogy is not something that simply happens to us. It is something we nurture, grow and develop with intention, reflection, and care. It grows through our daily interactions with children, with families, with our colleagues, and through the values and beliefs we bring into this important work. This conference is an invitation to pause, reflect, and grow together. It is an opportunity to share ideas, challenge our thinking, and deepen our understanding of what it means to support children’s learning and development in ways that are both thoughtful and intentional. It is a chance to step outside of the walls of your centre and find your critical thinking friends, to find your village… to find those who share a pedagogical perspective with you! We encourage you to take this time to nurture your pedagogy, strengthen your professional voice, and reconnect with the passion that brought you to this sector in the first place. We can’t wait to welcome you!   Schedule: 9:00 - 10:00 -- Morning Breakout Session*10:15 - 10:45 -- Networking Break10:45 - 12:00 -- Morning Breakouts Continued12:00 - 1:15 -- Lunch1:15 - 2:45 -- Afternoon Breakouts2:45 - 3:00 -- Networking Break3:00 - 4:00 -- Afternoon Breakouts Continued Link to Register: Click Here *Note: There will not be registration at the Spring Conference. Attendees must head directly to their morning break-out session by 9:00 AM *Payment is due in full prior to attending. Registration closes on April 25th at Midnight Preventing Double Payments: Please confirm with your Director or centre owner whether they will be covering the cost of your conference or membership fees, prior to registering for the conference. New Refund Policy: All duplicate payments will now be subject to a $20 administration fee, which will be deducted from the refund amount.

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 :)