ECE Online PL Opportunity: Childcare Centre Close Out Day

Online PL Opportunity: Childcare Centre Close Out Day

Date: Thursday, July 23, 2026
Time: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
Cost: $75.00 per Childcare Centre
Location: Online at Your Centre

Registration Has 2 Parts:

Close Out Day Sessions 

Thursday, April 23, 8:30 AM – 12:30 

Morning Collective Gathering

Kyle Rees & Hillary Hennessey – The Legal Case for Meaningful Inclusion 

Through a moderated discussion, lawyer Kyle Rees and Hillary Hennessay of the Newfoundland and Labrador Human Rights Commission will discuss how Human Rights impact access to meaningful inclusion. 

Workshop 

Lisa Pinhorn – When Inclusion Becomes Exclusion: Soft Exclusion and Its Impact on Families  

When families have access to Early Childhood Education, the benefits are seen in family economics and mental health, as it builds foundations that can last a lifetime. But what if not all children are included? What is lost when the most vulnerable children are excluded from equitable and inclusive Early Childhood Education? 

Some exclusionary practices are clear and unmistakable, like program expulsions and suspensions. Other practices are more subtle and woven into the childcare culture, now referred to as ‘soft’ expulsion. During this session, we will explore these exclusionary practices and how they can force parents to make painful choices that affect their income and overall well-being. 

Thursday, July 23, After Lunch – 4:30

Workshops

Susan Sparkes  – Occupational Therapy in Early Childhood Settings: Supporting Sensory Processing and Universal Design

This occupational therapy presentation will provide an overview of the role of occupational therapy and its importance in supporting children’s development and well-being, particularly within childcare settings. It will highlight how pediatric occupational therapy relies on collaboration with key caregivers in a child’s life to address factors that may affect their ability to participate in meaningful activities that support their independence and overall functioning.

One of the key areas where function and inclusion intersect is in understanding children’s individual sensory profiles. The material covered will include instruction on the distinction between sensation and perception. By increasing understanding of how each child processes sensory information differently, we can better appreciate how the environment may significantly impact a child’s ability to participate in everyday activities.

The concepts of universal design will be reviewed, along with practical strategies to foster inclusion so that all children are better able to regulate, engage, and participate alongside their peers. This approach shifts the focus from changing the child to modifying the environment, which is a core principle of inclusive and universally designed settings.

Harbour Side Chat  – Policy, Professional Development and Future Practice   

Moderator: Dr. Christine McLean. Associate Professor and Chair, Child and Youth Study Department, Mount Saint Vincent University. 

Panel: To Be Announced

Learn More:

AECENL’s Professional Learning Toolkit for Administrators

AECENL’s PL Grant Fund Application Form

If the cost of registration is a barrier, funding may be available through AECENL’s PL Grant Fund, please contact the Professional Learning Coordinator at plcoordinator@aecenl.ca or call (709) 579-8993.

To make your payment and receive your joinable link, please email Kim and Lisa at jimmyprattsummersymposium@gmail.com