Early Childhood Development Association of PEI

As we head into a busy new season, we plenty of opportunities to learn something new, connect with colleagues, and strengthen our practice.

Professional learning is more than adding another session to your calendar. It’s a chance to step away, reflect on our work, hear new perspectives, share experiences with others, and return to our programs with ideas we can put into practice. 💙

This September, join us for:

📚 Professional Learning
• Strong Responsive Practices with Julie Hansen, beginning September 9
• The Leadership Lab with Mary Hewitt, beginning September 10
• Medication 101 with Murphy’s Pharmacy, September 17
• First Aid Training with Basic and Intermediate options, September 26
• Skinned Knees: The Benefits of Risky Play with Bookmates Inc., September 29

🤝 Network & Community Connections
• Director Network Meeting, September 16
• ECE Network, September 22
• School Age Supervisor Network, September 23

📣 ECDA Annual General Meeting
Join us virtually on September 24 from 6:30-8:00 PM for our Annual General Meeting. Your voice matters, and the AGM is an important opportunity for members to come together, stay informed, and participate in the future of our Association.

Whether you’re looking to build your skills, explore new ideas, connect with peers, or have your voice heard, there’s an opportunity for you this September.

👉 Explore the full lineup and register at ecdaofpei.ca/events

Registration is required for all meetings, events and professional learning opportunities.

We're excited to give you a sneak peek at this year's ECDA Fall Conference!

ECDA of PEI Start With Play Fall Conference 2026
📅 November 5th & 6th, 2026
📍 Charlottetown,

We're thrilled to announce that Rusty Keeler will be joining us as our keynote speaker, alongside an exciting lineup of new facilitators and returning favourites.

This year's conference will include an Experience Day and conclude with a Keynote Day at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in beautiful downtown Charlottetown.

“Start With Play”, which is part of a larger upcoming campaign, reflects something we know deeply as Early Childhood Educators: play is the most essential way children learn, explore, connect, and make sense of the world around them.

This conference will invite us to think about how we can bring more play into every day and how we can share the importance of play with others in our communities. Together, we'll explore how play can be part of all facets of life and how we can create more opportunities to find joy in the process, not just in the outcome.

And that's not all! 👀

We're also kicking things off with a Pre-Conference Day on November 4th, exclusively for Directors and Leaders. Join Elizabeth Eldridge for The Thriving Workplace: Building Stronger Teams from the Inside Out, a full day focused on building stronger teams, workplace culture, supportive conversations, and resilience.

More details about the Fall Conference are coming soon!

⏳ 73 days until the ECDA’s Start With Play Fall Conference!

📣 We invite all ECDA members to join us for our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on:
📅 Thursday, September 24 🕡 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. 💻 Via Zoom

The AGM is an important opportunity to stay connected to the work of the ECDA, hear about the organization's work over the past year, and help shape the direction of your association moving forward. Members will also have the opportunity to vote on a new ECDA Board Director.

🎉 And we're giving you a reason to register early! Members who pre-register for the AGM AND attend the AGM will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of five amazing prizes:
🎁 4 ECDA prize packs, valued at $75 each
🎟️ 1 complimentary registration to the ECDA of PEI Start With Play Fall Conference 2026

The Fall Conference registration prize is non-transferable. You must pre-register and attend the AGM to be eligible to win.

👉 Pre-registration is not required, but it is strongly encouraged!

🔗 ecdaofpei.ca/events

We look forward to seeing you there and hearing from you! 💙

ECDA of PEI Board of Directors

Attention ECDA Members! Your membership expires on Wednesday, September 9th. Renew now to avoid late fees!

Log in to your account and complete the Renew Membership form, accessed from the "My Account" menu, to keep your benefits active.

Payment options:
• Secure online payment by Credit Card, Apple and Google pay.

Please note: For security reasons, the ECDA no longer accepts individual e-transfers. The website now accepts Google and Apple pay in addition to credit card payments. Centre payments are not affected.

Questions? Reach out to us anytime via email at [email protected], or call Karoll at (902)368-1866

Ready to take your first steps toward a rewarding career as an Early Childhood Educator?

Are you considering a career change? Do you have a passion for working with children, but aren’t sure where to start? Or do you know someone who might be interested in a career in Early Childhood Education?

Join us for our upcoming Steps to Success Information Session!

📅 Wednesday, August 26
⏰ 10:30–11:30 a.m.
💻 Virtual

We’ll share more about the Steps to Success program, how it can help you begin your journey toward a career in Early Childhood Education, and answer your questions!

✨ Take your first steps toward a career where you can make an impact that lasts a lifetime.

👉 Learn more and register at ecdaofpei.ca/events

Know someone who would be a great Early Childhood Educator? Share this post with them! 💛

Are you looking to make a career change? Have you considered becoming an Early Childhood Educator?

Take the first steps towards a rewarding career as an Early Childhood Educator, register for our upcoming Steps To Success program now!

When you choose a career as an Island Early Childhood Educator, you’re choosing to make an impact that will last a lifetime!

For more information, contact Megan Drummond by email at [email protected] or by phone at 902-368-1017.

Or, apply online at ECDAofPEI.ca/events See less

💙 A strong career is built on more than what happens at the centre. It's also built through connections with colleagues, opportunities to learn and grow, and being part of a professional community that supports you every step of the way.

As an ECDA member, you have access to networking opportunities, professional learning, member events, advocacy, and resources designed to help you thrive throughout your career.

Discover upcoming events at ECDAofPEI.ca/Events

The Early Learning and Child Care sector, a place where your career and heart grow together. See the heart behind the work at ecdaofpei.ca/passion

Funded by the Government of PEI

A simple question can lead to extraordinary learning. ✉️❤️ When children at Wee The West Childcare Centre became curious about how mail works, their educators followed that interest beyond the centre and into the community!

With a visit to the Canada Post office in Bloomfield, children wrote letters to themselves, explored how mail is sorted and delivered, listened to a story, and asked thoughtful questions along the way. Thanks to Transportation West Inc., they were able to travel together and experience their community in a meaningful, hands-on way.

This is what community is all about.

When Early Learning and Child Care centres, local businesses, non-profit organizations, and community members work together, children gain authentic experiences that inspire curiosity, build relationships, and deepen their understanding of the world around them.

Together, communities and Early Learning and Child Care centres help children grow, learn, and thrive!

These are our voices. This is our community.

🎥 Watch the full 2½ minute story on our YouTube channel. Link in bio.

Help shape a new resource for the Early Learning and Child Care sector!

Our partners at the Canadian Child Care Federation are sharing Child Health & Physical Activity Lab at Western University's opportunity for ECEs and childcare professionals to contribute to the development of a new Activity Bank that will support physical activity and active play in childcare settings.

If you have favourite movement-based games or activities to share, we'd love to see PEI represented. Complete the short Western University survey through the post below, and you could win one of five $100 gift cards.

Thank you for helping strengthen resources for educators and children across Canada! 🍁

The Child Health & Physical Activity Lab at Western University is developing an Activity Bank to support physical activity and active play in childcare settings. This educator-informed resource will feature practical games, activities, and movement ideas that can be used throughout the childcare day.

We are inviting Early Childhood Educators and childcare professionals from across Canada to share their favourite movement-based activities through a brief survey. Contributions will help ensure the Activity Bank reflects a diverse range of childcare settings, experiences, and perspectives, and provides activities that are engaging, feasible, and enjoyable for young children.

Participants who complete the survey may also enter a draw to win one of five $100 gift cards.

To participate, please complete the survey here: https://uwo.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_af4k1ka6NnDMC6W

Thank you for helping us create a valuable resource for the early years sector!