Alberta Resource Centre for Quality Enhancement

Last chance to register!
Join internationally recognized early childhood advocate Heather Bernt-Santy (That Early Childhood Nerd) for a special one-time professional learning event exploring why play remains one of the most powerful ways children make meaning of their world.
Together, we'll reflect on our role as play advocates and examine how Schema Play Theory can help us better understand children's thinking, interests, and ways of learning. This session will challenge us to move beyond simply allowing play and toward intentionally creating environments where children's agency, belonging, curiosity, and rights are honoured.
Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding of play-based practice, reconnect with your image of the child, or strengthen your ability to advocate for play in your program, this session is for you.

These one-time sessions are expected to fill quickly:
June 25 | 12:00–2:00 p.m.
https://thealbertaresourcecentreforqualityenhancementarcqe.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/DgFE6zEc1CQCW
June 25 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.
https://thealbertaresourcecentreforqualityenhancementarcqe.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/MwFy1JGi8CeCg

Have you registered? Only 2 days remaining to reserve your ticket!

Join us for an exciting special one-time event highlighting the importance of children's right to play as June marks International Day of Play around the world! As a means of highlighting this celebration, ARCQE is pleased to be featuring guest speaker Heather Bernt-Santy of the United States who will be leading this province wide dynamic diaologue!

As noted in today's Exchange Everyday blog: "The LEGO Foundation’s Learning Through Play online resources provide a number of research studies showing how play lays the foundation for brain development and supports children’s learning in domains such as language and literacy, social emotional skills and math. when families ask their children what they did in early care and education programs, the answer is often, "played." It's crucial that ECE practitioners help families see the richness of what "played" really means."

Don't miss out- only 2 days left to reserve your space for one of the two session offerings (daytime or evening) ... These one-time sessions are expected to fill quickly... To register follow the link:

https://thealbertaresourcecentreforqualityenhancementarcqe.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/DgFE6zEc1CQCW?fbclid=IwY2xjawSmNgdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFDOEhSR2x1VVVzSktlWWhTc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHnrgKshYZJBFU3G7u-YtLoGyXpRjJPeBWgCHC106dF9PJBrq-eutg1kVDImk_aem_ytK3IgW5zkTpE47MsLKw1Q

Join internationally recognized early childhood advocate Heather Bernt-Santy (That Early Childhood Nerd) for a special one-time professional learning event exploring why play remains one of the most powerful ways children make meaning of their world.
Together, we'll reflect on our role as play advocates and examine how Schema Play Theory can help us better understand children's thinking, interests, and ways of learning. This session will challenge us to move beyond simply allowing play and toward intentionally creating environments where children's agency, belonging, curiosity, and rights are honoured.
Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding of play-based practice, reconnect with your image of the child, or strengthen your ability to advocate for play in your program, this session is for you.

These one-time sessions are expected to fill quickly:
June 25 | 12:00–2:00 p.m. Register Here
https://thealbertaresourcecentreforqualityenhancementarcqe.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/DgFE6zEc1CQCW

June 25 | 6:30–8:30 p.m. Register Here
https://thealbertaresourcecentreforqualityenhancementarcqe.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/MwFy1JGi8CeCg

Level Three Early Childhood Educators in Alberta now have access to professional development and release time funding through the 2026/27 Early Childhood Educator Workforce Supports Program Approved List of Workshops and Conferences.

Through ARCQE, eligible learning opportunities such as Meeting The Challenge, Reaching IN…Reaching OUTᴼᴹ (RIRO) Resiliency Skills, and Reflective Program Planning can be accessed using this funding to support intentional, reflective, and practice-based professional growth.

Post Image:
Did you know… Level Three Early Childhood Educators in Alberta can now access PD and release time funding through the 2026/27 Workforce Supports Program Approved List?

What can my funding be used for?
The Alberta Resource Centre for Quality Enhancement (ARCQE) has several eligible learning opportunities you can use your funding toward, including:
Meeting The Challenge
Reaching IN…Reaching OUTᴼᴹ (RIRO) Resiliency Skills
Reflective Program Planning

Why does this matter?

Send us a message or email us at [email protected] to find out more.

https://events.arcqe.ca/professional-learning-events/

This 6-part series explores strategies and skills that foster resilience in both educators and the children they support, supporting child development while promoting understanding and meaningful relationships.

Now listed on the 2026/27 Early Childhood Educator Workforce Supports Program Approved List of Workshops and Conferences for Professional Development and Release Time Funding for Alberta approved Level 3 ECEs.
https://thealbertaresourcecentreforqualityenhancementarcqe.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/wZFB1omueCxCw

June is Our Month of Play

Because Play is a Right, Not a Privilege
At ARCQE, we believe one day is never enough.
The International Day of Play is observed each year on June 11th, established in March 2024 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to champion and protect children’s right to play.
But we're not stopping at one day. All of June is our Month of Play.

Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states:
“States Parties recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to their age and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts…”

From One Day to a Movement
The International Day of Play calls on governments, civil society, and institutions to take action, with UNICEF and UNESCO supporting its global implementation.
Play is essential. It helps children build relationships, resilience, and the cognitive, physical, creative, social, and emotional skills they need to thrive.
Play is how children learn to live, connect, and understand the world around them.

Join Us: Celebrating Play, Honouring Rights

We are excited to welcome Heather Bernt-Santy, M.A. Ed. (That Early Childhood Nerd) for a special one-time event this June.
With over 30 years of experience, Heather is a strong advocate for children’s right to play and for the research that confirms what we know—play is not extra, it is essential.
Together, we will reflect on what it means to be play advocates in early learning spaces that honour children’s agency, identity, belonging, and curiosity.
Drawing on Schema Play Theory, this session calls us back to what matters most: children’s right to wonder deeply and play freely.
As we build toward National Child Day, this is a moment to act—not just for one day, but all year long.

Register Today

These one-time sessions are expected to fill quickly:
June 25 | 12:00–2:00 p.m.
https://thealbertaresourcecentreforqualityenhancementarcqe.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/DgFE6zEc1CQCW
June 25 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.
https://thealbertaresourcecentreforqualityenhancementarcqe.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/MwFy1JGi8CeCg

Alberta Resource Centre for Quality Enhancement Our Mission: Creatively inspire professionals to build leadership and capacity by enhancing quality in programs that support children and families.

Join ARCQE inspiring leadership in early learning as a member of the Board!

Are you someone passionate about making a difference in advancing leadership directions and early learning priorities in Alberta?

If you are someone with rich in-depth experience in child care related matters and currently bring representation from the sector in areas such as post-secondary studies, administration, pedagogical leadership, research and best practice; perhaps you may be a strong candidate to join the ARCQE Governance Board.

Now actively seeking candidates for the 2026-2028 term starting in June 2026. Current regional jurisdictions preferred include: southern Alberta, Calgary, Northwest regions- bringing representation from one of the above specified areas of the child care sector!

To learn more, please click on the following "Opportunities" link:
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Celebrating Play, Honouring Rights- All year long!
As we at ARCQE continue to engage and support educators in advancing children's rights throughout the year, we are pleased to recognize the International Day of Play, celebrated globally each June. This important occasion highlights play as a fundamental right of every child and as an essential foundation for thinking, learning, well-being, and development. In alignment with our ongoing focus on relationships, wonder, and belonging, we invite Early Childhood Educators to join us in reflecting on and strengthening their practice as we build momentum toward National Child Day.
Together, as a community of learners and advocates, we invite all of you to join with us in welcoming Heather Bernt-Santy, M.A. Ed., also known as That Early Childhood Nerd. With over 30 years of experience working alongside children, families, and caregivers, Heather brings a deep and joyful commitment to the field she has “very-nearly-almost” loved every minute of. She is a passionate believer in children’s right to play and in the science that affirms what we know in our bones: "play is a right." Through her consulting, webinars, and podcast That Early Childhood Nerd, Heather continues to inspire educators to think deeply and differently about childhood.
Together, we will reflect on what it means to act as play advocates in today’s early learning landscape—holding space for children’s joy, agency, well-being, identity, and belonging, while reimagining environments where curiosity, inquiry, and co-learning are genuinely honoured.
Drawing inspiration from Using Schema Play Theory to Advocate for Free Play in Early Childhood, this gathering calls us back to what matters most: children’s right to live fully, wonder deeply, and play freely.
Two options to choose from:
June 25 - 12:00 - 2:00
June 25 - 6:30 - 8:30
Investment: $30.00
https://events.arcqe.ca/professional-learning-events/

Are you a reflective Educator? How does reflective practice inform your planning?
"The goal is to help educators see each and every child as a mighty learner and a citizen in the here and now" (Makovichuk et al., 2014).
Designed for early learning and childcare leaders, this series explores observation, pedagogical documentation, and intentional program planning, all grounded in Flight & Reggio Emilia principles.
Across three weeks, participants will: → Observe children with curiosity, honouring their voices → Make thinking visible through meaningful documentation → Deepen inquiry through reflective practice and environmental design.
https://thealbertaresourcecentreforqualityenhancementarcqe.growthzoneapp.com/a #/Event/1757216/EventsOverview

Work hard- play hard… Happy Birthday to team mate Rebecca celebrating in style with the cast and crew from ARCQE while on the road!!