Special Needs Resources Programs Survey

July 30, 2020September 15, 2021Leave a comment

Hello! My name is Ashley Hymers, I am a Resource Consultant with the Special Needs Resources Program (SNRP) at Children’s Centre Thunder Bay (CCTB).

As part of our continuous improvement philosophy using a LEAN model at Children’s Centre Thunder Bay, the SNRP program is currently looking at the Progress Review process that is completed for children involved with the Special Needs Resources Program. This process is used to monitor children’s progress in relation to their Early Learning Support Plan (ELSP) goals which are implemented by the Child Care Program.

We are looking to get feedback from the voice of the customer, which is you. If you could please take the time to complete the attached survey and please forward this to your Executive Director, Supervisor, Assistant Supervisor, Front Line Educators, and Support Staff. We are working towards streamlining the process to provide quality services for your program. We value your feedback and opinion!

The results of this survey will be shared with the LEAN green belt working group and are anonymous as there is no identifying information. Please complete the survey by August 4, 2020.

You can access the survey by clicking the link below or copy and pasting it into a browser:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020SNRPReview

Thank you for your time and feedback!

Ashley Hymers RECE, RC

Resource Consultant

New Ministry Document: Building on How Does Learning Happen?

July 30, 2020August 31, 2021Leave a comment

The Ministry of Education has released a new document to extend on How Does Learning Happen? titled Building on How Does Learning Happen?.

Click the link below for access:

http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/childcare/building-on-how-does-learning-happen-child-care.pdf

This PDF highlights the ways programs can continue to foster the Four Foundations during these times of change and uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This document contains reflective questions, stories, and suggestions for programs of ways to continue to align with How Does Learning Happen? during these unprecedented times.

Please review the document and share it widely with your colleagues in the early years profession, and stay tuned as we will continue to post on our portal about Building on How Does Learning Happen? and offer some opportunities for our community to engage and share ideas and stories about pedagogy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Indigenous Professional Learning

July 20, 2020August 31, 2021Leave a comment

Ontario Aboriginal Head Start Association is pleased to announce the launch of the Indigenous Professional Learning Opportunities.

OAHSA will be providing professional learning opportunities across the province that reflect Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) pedagogies, epistemologies and leadership for off reserve Indigenous Child Care and Early Years programs.

Please visit Ontario Aboriginal Head Start Association at www.oahsa.ca to subscribe and find latest information on professional learning opportunities.

See HERE for the official announcement containing more information.

Throwback Thursday!

July 9, 2020August 31, 2021Leave a comment

What an interesting year 2020 has been so far. We thought we were in for a 3 week March Break, and look where we are today. The Emergency Order continues to be extended, and we are all navigating this new normal of living with COVID-19. Since March, the TBDSSAB has supported the operation of three Emergency Child Care programs within our District, and we are now into Phase 2 where some child care centres are beginning to reopen under rigorous guidelines.

At this time, even with the re-opening of child care programs, we are unable to visit all of you like we have in the past. This opportunity to slow down and reflect on our work, our lives and our values implores us to consider what changes we want to make as we move forward and how we might reframe a “new normal”. We will come out of this time changed, and hopefully for the better.

As we look back at the memories we’ve shared together, we want you to know that we are thinking of all of you, missing you dearly, and wishing you the utmost safety and well-being at this time. We look forward to what the future holds for our work together and a time where we can be reunited.

COVID-19

July 7, 2020August 31, 2021Leave a comment

Visit our new COVID-19 page under the Resources section! We will continue to post documents and information related to COVID-19 and the early years on this page.

Early Years Web Café

July 6, 2020August 31, 2021Leave a comment

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our very first Early Years Web Café! During our first gathering, there were many questions about and a lengthy dialogue around the re-opening of child care and emergency child care. Click HERE for the notes from our first gathering.

We look forward to coming back together and picking up where we left off:

play materials – what can stay, what needs to be removed, how many materials can be available?
social distancing in early years settings – what does this look like? how can it be done?
inspirations from Diane Kashin – what can she teach us? how does it apply to our community?

Visit the Calendar for more information and to register for the upcoming Web Café on Thursday, July 16th!

Play First Summit

June 26, 2020August 31, 2021Leave a comment

Our Early Years Team has registered to participate in The Play First Online Summit. This 5-day conference is FREE and will bring ECE leaders from around the world together, all in one place, sharing insights and ideas collaboratively.

If you are interested in participating in this online summit you can register HERE.

If you register for the Play First Summit, please send an email to Kim at kim.figliomeni@tbdssab.ca. Following the conference, we will organize a Zoom session (or two) to share our take-aways, curiosities and aha moments. As educators working together, this opportunity to dialogue and share our thoughts and interpretations with one another will support us in our work with children.

Registration Open for Online Early Childhood Education Diploma Program

May 21, 2020August 31, 2021Leave a comment

Below is a news release from Sault College for an online ECE program that has been launched. The program is offered after 3:30 pm each day and is geared toward those already working in the field of ECE that need to become qualified in order to register with the College of Early Childhood Educators. The Qualification Upgrade Program that is offered by the Ministry of Education would be available to cover costs for upgrading.

(Sault Ste. Marie, ON May 19, 2020) – Sault College understands the value of offering versatility in its programming while balancing the needs of every kind of learner. To complement this, Sault College and Contact North are offering a fully online Early Childhood Education diploma program. Join us from anywhere in Ontario and complete your studies remotely. Registration for September 2020 is now open and can be done by visiting www.ontariocolleges.ca and searching program 1330.

This full-time, 18-month, fully online program is designed to prepare students for a position in the Early Childhood Education/Early Years field and give them the tools to have a meaningful and successful career in this critical area of early education. Studies are delivered via Contact North (virtual classroom, online live), and run for four consecutive semesters ending December 2021. Associated placement opportunities will aim to be completed in the student’s home community. Placements will occur in accordance with public health guidelines.

“We understand that diversity in program options is important for today’s learners. Sault College is proud to work with Contact North to offer another means for students to obtain their diploma in Early Childhood Education,” said Lori Crosson, Director, Continuing Education and E-Learning. “This intake is open to students from across Ontario with the added benefit and flexibility of being able to complete studies completely online. Registration is now open for September 2020, and we encourage all interested students to apply today,” she added.

“Contact North | Contact Nord is excited to support students anywhere in Ontario to participate in Sault College’s Early Childhood Education program using our Adobe Connect web conferencing platform” stated Leigh Kitlar, Director, Recruitment & Partnerships, North Central Region, Contact North | Contact Nord. “In addition to using the platform, our staff is also helping Sault College recruit students for this fully online program in communities across Ontario.”

More information about this program can be found on our website or by contacting Carla Bumbaco at carla.bumbaco@saultcollege.ca.

Online Professional Learning Opportunities

April 8, 2020August 31, 2021Leave a comment

Are you looking for ways to keep busy while social distancing? Below is a list of websites and webinars that may be of interest to you or your staff.

Child Care E-Module: Putting How Does Learning Happen? into Practice: Program Expectations for Licensed Child Care. This E-Module will assist early years professionals to understand connections between How Does Learning Happen and the new program related requirements under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014.
Child Development Resource Connection Peel https://www.cdrcp.com/professional-education-opportunity
Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute https://ca.ctrinstitute.com/resources/
Unlock the Potential of Food in the Child Care & School Environments: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3094449428765642497
Diving Deeper Into Canada’s New Food Guide: https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/6918661926525609730
Indigenous Food and Culture in the School Environment: https://register.gotowebinar.com/recording/1118685307013840129
Early Childhood Webinars https://www.earlychildhoodwebinars.com (CHECK OUT THE ARCHIVED SECTION)
NAEYC https://naeyc.org/events/trainings-webinars/recorded-webinars (Check out the archived section)
Canadian Child Care Federation – two free webinars https://www.cccf-fcsge.ca/topics/nature-and-outdoor-play/
Child Care and Early Years Act Self-assessment tool http://www.earlyyears.edu.gov.on.ca/EYPortal/en/ChildCareLicensing/CCEYASelfTest/index.htm
Food Handlers Course https://foodsafetyonline.ca/food-handler-course

Taking Care of Yourself

March 31, 2020August 31, 2021Leave a comment

Kim came across the wonderful article below. It shares some inspiration and ideas regarding how, as educators, we can find the value in this down time or time away from work.

When fishermen cannot go to sea, they mend their nets: planning for productive workplace closures

We’re thinking of you and sending you well wishes throughout this difficult time.