Early childhood educator bursaries support career growth for key professionals
(flickr.com)

Media Contacts

Ministry of Education and Child Care

Media Relations
778 974-5825

Mohammad Hussain

Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould
Mohammad.a.Hussain@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Backgrounders

Professional development opportunities, supports for early childhood educators
Updated Aug. 4, 2022, for clarification

In addition to the Early Childhood Education(ECE) Education Support Fund, ChildCareBC professional development opportunities and supports available to ECEs include:

  • ECE Peer Mentoring Program: This program supports the ongoing professional development needs of both new and experienced early childhood educators. It aims to expand the current infrastructure of support for ECEs to reduce the number of ECEs that leave the field. As of 2020, 200 ECEs have participated in 17 communities throughout the province, with a goal of expanding over the next two years with new funding. Learn more at: https://ecepeermentoring.trubox.ca/
  • Early Years Professional Development Hub: A partnership of Early Childhood Educators of BC (ECEBC), Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre, BC Aboriginal Child Care Society, BC Family Child Care Association, and the Early Childhood Pedagogy Network; provides online learning opportunities for early years professionals around the province. Learn more at: https://bcearlyyearshub.ca/
  • Early Childhood Pedagogy Network: There are 50 pedagogists working in/with child care programs throughout the province, helping them stay up to date with the latest early childhood education philosophies and practices through pedagogical projects and reflection. Learn more at: https://www.ecpn.ca/
  • First Nations Pedagogy Network: The network develops new ways to support and share resurgent and emerging practices in Indigenous early learning and care , in First Nations’ terms, while broadening conceptions of quality. Learn more at: https://fnpn.ca/
  • Best Choices: An Ethical Journey: This training supports early care and learning professionals to think and reflect deeper about the relationships they have with young children. Both face-to-face and online training is divided into four modules. In 2019, ECEBC received funding from the Ministry for Children and Family Development to review and update the ECEBC Code of Ethics and Best Choices. The updated training reflects the many changes in early care and learning over the past decades. Learn more at: https://www.ecebc.ca/professional-development/best-choices-ethical-journey
  • Foundations in Inclusive Child Care: This online training is a self-guided and interactive course for child care providers. It provides an overview of inclusive practices and implementation strategies for inclusion of children with extra support needs in child care settings. Learn more at: https://bcearlyyearshub.ca/courses/foundations-inclusive-child-care-training/
  • Work-Integrated Learning (WIL): WIL is a public post-secondary program delivery model that enables child care professionals to complete academic requirements for provincial ECE certification while maintaining employment in the child care sector.
  • Child Care Resource and Referral Program: helps families find and access licensed and registered child care by providing information, support, resources and referral services to parents and child care providers throughout B.C. The program also offers training and professional development opportunities. Learn more at: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/ChildCareResourceReferralCentres  
  • Early Years Professional Development: gives early years training organizers in B.C. an online venue to promote their professional development opportunities. Learners can search by for training events by subject area or location. Training opportunities can be found at: https://earlyyearsbc.ca/

Media Contacts

Ministry of Education and Child Care

Media Relations
778 974-5825