Events

“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:)

This workshop focuses on building strong educator-child relationships while strengthening proactive guidance strategies and responsive supervision. Through the lens of connection and consistency, educators will explore how to foster regulation, reduce conflict, and support a sense of belonging in fast-paced environments. Participants will: Understand the difference between guidance and discipline in a school-age context. Identify and implement the 5 Dimensions of Active Supervision. Reflect on personal supervision styles and guidance language. Explore practical tools to respond to behavior with empathy and clarity. Core Topics Include: The Power of Connection in Preventing Escalations Supervision as Engagement (not Surveillance) Respectful Language & Conflict Resolution Understanding Behavior as Communication Tools for Regulation and Co-Regulation ---------- Jamie Wagler, OCT, RECE is a passionate Early Childhood Education leader, consultant, and advocate with over 13 years of experience. As the owner of Miss Jamie Consulting and Director of Stratford (Ontario) Cygnets Preschool, Jamie specializes in innovative child-led learning, ASL integration, and school-age programming. Known for her work in empowering educators through dynamic professional development and mentorship, she also hosts The Forgotten ECEpodcast, where she amplifies the voices of educators and tackles key challenges in the field. Jamie’s expertise helps shape the future of early learning across North America!   Please note that participants must register individually to attend professional learning sessions. 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.

This session with Amy Sullivan is a is a reoffering from our Fall Conference 2025. Do you ever wonder "does what I do really make a different?" Together, we will unpack your role as an ECE in the care of children and their families. We will dig into your image of a child, your image of a family and your image of an educator. Through a power point presentation, open discussion and interactive experience you will learn about things like attachment, self regulation and co regulation. Let's get back to our roots and answer the questions, "does what I do really matter?"   Facilitator Bio: Amy Sullivan lives in beautiful St. Margaret's bay, Nova Scotia. Her two adult children, Simon (20) and Hannah (24) are well on their way into adult hood and she currently lives with her three feline fur babies. Her passion for Early Childhood started as a young girl and she ended up graduating from Holland College with her ECE in 2000. She has since continued on her path of supporting individuals of all ages by graduating with her Counselling Skills diploma in 2017 followed by receiving credentials as a Registered Counsellor in 2018. Throughout her career, both as an ECE and Counsellor, Amy has had the honor and privilege to support early childhood educators for over 20 years. Amy believe that lifelong learning is a gift and is happy to be a part of it with all her interactions.     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 actively engage in breakout groups or contribute to meaningful discussions will not receive PD hours. We ask that you leave your camera on for the session.    

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.

Leaders join usfor a retreat specially craftedwith you in mind! Day One: March 25th 1-3:30 pm + 5:00-7:00 pm 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)- Hotel non-refundable. 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.   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.