Sold Out: Friday (Day 2) - ECEBC Conference May 24, 2024

Presenter: Dr. Zeenat Janmohamed

The Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care Program established a framework for affordable fees for parents.  However, the expansion of licensed child care has exacerbated the challenges that the workforce has historically faced. The ECE workforce needs consideration of how to stabilize and enhance the profession: A Bill of Rights for the ELCC workforce is both a vehicle for mobilization by raising the profile of the workforce and an endgame that if achieved would promote and protect educators rights.  Professional working conditions would make the sector more attractive to new entrants and help retain experienced staff. Standards provide educators with recourse to address inadequate working conditions and builds opportunities for a sustainable ELCC system.  One of the key components of building out the Bill of Rights is an engagement strategy that includes allies such as Child Care Now, the Coalitions, Workers Rights and labour groups, municipal and school boards, academics, community development and business partners across Canada.  The Atkinson Centre will work closely with key stakeholders to develop the principles of the ECE Bill of Rights and to disseminate a unified message to the ECE workforce, and other stakeholder groups.  The Atkinson will develop policy and legislative frameworks in ongoing collaboration with stakeholders from inception to completion.  This session is an opportunity to consult with our early learning colleagues to seek feedback on the key components of the ECE Bill of Rights.

Presenter: Pooja Kalsi

Delve into the intersection of  team building, self-care, emotional intelligence, and strength-based communication to create a workplace culture that thrives on collaboration and individual well-being. Explore practical approaches to building resilient and powerful  teams by integrating the principles of emotional intelligence and leveraging the strengths of team members. Learn how prioritizing self-care enhances team dynamics and contributes to a positive work environment. From effective communication strategies that highlight strengths to promoting emotional well-being within the team, this topic provides insights and actionable tips for creating a workplace where individuals flourish and teams thrive. Join the discussion on cultivating a supportive atmosphere that values both professional growth and personal well-being.

Presenter: Sharon Carlson

Explore various ways that support the capture and documenting of childrens learning, interests and development. In this session, we will cover the benefits of a collaborative model and the tools that support and strengthen multiple perspectives and voices of your colleagues, families and children. I will share proven strategies and tips to support embedding these new concepts into your pedagogical practice.

Presenter: Sharon Gregson 

$10aDay Child Care has always been much more than a slogan. It is a comprehensive set of policy and funding recommendations for governments to achieve a high quality, culturally responsive, inclusive and flexible child care system where educators are fairly compensated and families pay no more than $10aDay. There has been significant progress in BC since 2018 but we all know there's so much more to do. Join us to discuss the priorities for system building in 2024 and beyond.

Presenters: Camille Jordan, Breanna Beatrie, Leanne Shuparski, Jan Miettinen

Join us to learn more about the Learning Outside Together (LOT): Incorporating traditional wisdom and promising practices to futureproof child care programs. LOT is an online professional development program and so much more. It is a growing community of ECEs dedicated to upholding the values of two-eyed seeing, Land as Teacher, and working together to support children’s relationships with land. Presenters will share how the program has impacted their practice and suggest how you can implement the concepts of LOT in your program.

Presenters: TBD

Aansaamb aen kiskayhtaamuk Learning Together (Heritage Michif, translated by Norman Fleury) is a professional learning guide, resource kit professional development workshop intended to support early learning and child care professionals to integrate Metis content in early years programming. The workshop provides additional opportunities to support incorporating Metis specific teachings within early learning programming, promoting learning environments in which Metis culture is recognized and celebrated.