Welcome to the EYPDC

The Early Years Professional Development Committee consists of representatives of provincially funded Training Institutions and Support Sites. Committee members share their insights, needs assessment observations and professional development plans in order to coordinate, communicate and deliver quality professional development for all early childhood educators and other early years professionals in Nova Scotia.

Upcoming Workshops

Information about professional development workshops is shared by participating Early Years Professional Development Committee members. All registrations are processed by the individual sites. Please contact hosting site directly to register for your session.
March 25, 2023
  • NSCC Kingstec - Supporting Young Children on Spectrum with their Overall Growth

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    March 25, 2023  9:00 am - 12:00 pm
    236 Belcher St, Kentville, NS B4N 0A6, Canada

    This workshop will delve into several areas of development. You will feel empowered in understanding where the child is in the different developmental steps, and will learn how to support the child accordingly through play. This session will incorporate evidence-based support strategies, video analysis and lots of hands-on moments.

    Facilitator: Nancy Ceulemans & Heather Cukierski

    Fee: $80.00

    Deadline to register: March 10, 2023

    Snow Date: March 29th   

    Payment options: 

    • Credit card or VISA Debit payment over the phone. (Staff from Kingstec Student Services will contact you.) 
    • Prepayment via eBill payment through your electronic banking. Student ID# required. Contact us to confirm your NSCC student ID. Cheque mailed to -- Student Accounts – NSCC, Kingstec Campus, 236 Belcher Street, Kentville, NS, B4N 0A6  
    • Not permitted: cash or walk-in payments. 

    Please contact  sara.graves@nscc.ca or justine.macdonald@nscc.ca  for more details.

    *please keep our workshop guidelines in mind* https://www.nscc.ca/ecdsc/professional-development/kingstec-guidelines.asp

    To Register: http://bit.ly/kingstecreg

    See more details

March 27, 2023
  • NSCC Marconi - Capable, Confident and Curious - Module 4

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    March 27, 2023

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March 28, 2023
  • NSCC Kingstec - Capable, Confident & Curious - Module 6

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    March 28, 2023  6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

    Module 6: Reflective Practice and How it Applies to Daily Practices with Children.

    In Module 6, participants will explore how reflective practice connects to the curriculum framework, how to use the Reflective Planning Cycle as a useful tool in our daily lives with children, as well as how to include families in this cycle.

    Educators and Leaders will:

    • Work through the Reflective Planning Cycle in order to understand its practicality as a tool for reflection in our everyday lives with children
    • Reach an understanding of the difference that Reflective Practice can make in the quality of our programmes.

    Additionally, leaders will learn how to develop and support this type of practice within their settings through modeling and scaffolding.

    This module is being hosted by NSCC Kingstec Campus/ Early Childhood Development Support Centre and is a 2 evening Online Session 

    **March 28 6:30-8:30 & March 30 6:30-8:30**

    Please contact  sara.graves@nscc.ca for more details.

    To register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/456987220077

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  • NSCC Marconi - Capable, Confident and Curious - Module 4

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    March 28, 2023

    See more details

March 30, 2023
  • NSCC Kingstec - Capable, Confident & Curious - Module 6

    View Details


    March 30, 2023  6:30 pm - 8:30 pm

    Module 6: Reflective Practice and How it Applies to Daily Practices with Children.

    In Module 6, participants will explore how reflective practice connects to the curriculum framework, how to use the Reflective Planning Cycle as a useful tool in our daily lives with children, as well as how to include families in this cycle.

    Educators and Leaders will:

    • Work through the Reflective Planning Cycle in order to understand its practicality as a tool for reflection in our everyday lives with children
    • Reach an understanding of the difference that Reflective Practice can make in the quality of our programmes.

    Additionally, leaders will learn how to develop and support this type of practice within their settings through modeling and scaffolding.

    This module is being hosted by NSCC Kingstec Campus/ Early Childhood Development Support Centre and is a 2 evening Online Session 

    **March 28 6:30-8:30 & March 30 6:30-8:30**

    Please contact  sara.graves@nscc.ca for more details.

    To register: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/456987220077

    See more details

April 1, 2023
  • MSVU Supporting Children with Challenging Behaviors Using Positive Behavior Strategies

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    April 1, 2023  9:00 am - 12:00 pm
    Mount Saint Vincent University, 166 Bedford Hwy, Halifax, NS B3M 2J6, Canada

    Date: Saturday April 1 (9am –12noon),Tuesday April 4 (6:30-9 pm) and Tuesday April 11 (6:30-9 pm) Cost: $100
    Total PD hours: 8 hours Location: Online Presenters: Heather Bartholomew & Debbie Thompson 

    DescriptionThis workshop series will provide ECEs with the tools to identify the functions of behaviour. Partici-pants will consider the importance of motivation in preventing challenging behaviour & in encouraging positive alterna-tives. Heather & Debbie will provide a plethora of examples of motivating activities & adaptations that can be incorpo-rated into participants’ programs. Opportunity will also be provided between sessions for applying principles & skills & follow-up feedback & support will be provided so that participants are fully supported through the process of applying strategies.
    The objectives of this workshop series are to:
    1)provide preventative strategies to support children with challenging behaviour
    2)teach the process to identify functions of behaviour
    3)learn how to incorporate this information into a framework to develop a complete plan to support children to use prosocial behaviours to meet their needs.

    Presenter Biographies: Heather Bartholomew graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Arts (Child & Youth Study) & in the twenty plus years since then, has been working with preschoolers. Additionally, she has recently begun working part-time with adults with developmental delays, giving her a broader, across the lifespan perspective on supporting di-verse individuals at any age. She has worked as an Early Childhood Educator, one-to-one support staff & as a resource teacher. For five years, she served as Resource Teacher at the Mount’s Child Study Centre, supporting children with identified special needs &, in particular, delivering programming to students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Heather has worked as a Program Implementer in Halifax’s Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention program for the past seventeen years. She has developed & facilitated workshops on a variety of topics, most frequently relating to Inclusion. Heather is passionate about facilitating positive inclusion experiences & finding effective & efficient strategies to sup-port individual & classroom-wide learning.


    Debbie Thompson is a graduate from Mount Saint Vincent University with the Degree in Child & Youth. Debbie started her journey in ECE at Wee Care Developmental centre working as a Developmental teacher in an integrated setting. It was there that she knew she wanted to focus her attention on working with children with special needs. Debbie also developed the Resource position at Wee Care & was responsible for developing & implementing plans for children with special needs. Debbie now works at the IWK as a Program Implementer for the Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention program (EIBI) working with children with Autism. Through her job at the IWK she continues to work closely with preschool teachers consulting & providing feedback in various programs. Debbie also teaches regularly at Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education & Mount Saint Vincent University on various topics including challenging behaviour & Inclusion.

    Location: ONLINE

    8 PD hours

    $100

     Registration for our MSVU workshops, along our PD brochure with full workshops details, descriptions and presenter bios is found online    www.msvu.ca/earlychildhoodworkshops    


     



    See more details

April 4, 2023
  • MSVU Supporting Children with Challenging Behaviors Using Positive Behavior Strategies

    View Details


    April 4, 2023  9:00 am - 12:00 pm
    Mount Saint Vincent University, 166 Bedford Hwy, Halifax, NS B3M 2J6, Canada

    Date: Saturday April 1 (9am –12noon),Tuesday April 4 (6:30-9 pm) and Tuesday April 11 (6:30-9 pm) Cost: $100
    Total PD hours: 8 hours Location: Online Presenters: Heather Bartholomew & Debbie Thompson 

    DescriptionThis workshop series will provide ECEs with the tools to identify the functions of behaviour. Partici-pants will consider the importance of motivation in preventing challenging behaviour & in encouraging positive alterna-tives. Heather & Debbie will provide a plethora of examples of motivating activities & adaptations that can be incorpo-rated into participants’ programs. Opportunity will also be provided between sessions for applying principles & skills & follow-up feedback & support will be provided so that participants are fully supported through the process of applying strategies.
    The objectives of this workshop series are to:
    1)provide preventative strategies to support children with challenging behaviour
    2)teach the process to identify functions of behaviour
    3)learn how to incorporate this information into a framework to develop a complete plan to support children to use prosocial behaviours to meet their needs.

    Presenter Biographies: Heather Bartholomew graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Arts (Child & Youth Study) & in the twenty plus years since then, has been working with preschoolers. Additionally, she has recently begun working part-time with adults with developmental delays, giving her a broader, across the lifespan perspective on supporting di-verse individuals at any age. She has worked as an Early Childhood Educator, one-to-one support staff & as a resource teacher. For five years, she served as Resource Teacher at the Mount’s Child Study Centre, supporting children with identified special needs &, in particular, delivering programming to students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Heather has worked as a Program Implementer in Halifax’s Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention program for the past seventeen years. She has developed & facilitated workshops on a variety of topics, most frequently relating to Inclusion. Heather is passionate about facilitating positive inclusion experiences & finding effective & efficient strategies to sup-port individual & classroom-wide learning.


    Debbie Thompson is a graduate from Mount Saint Vincent University with the Degree in Child & Youth. Debbie started her journey in ECE at Wee Care Developmental centre working as a Developmental teacher in an integrated setting. It was there that she knew she wanted to focus her attention on working with children with special needs. Debbie also developed the Resource position at Wee Care & was responsible for developing & implementing plans for children with special needs. Debbie now works at the IWK as a Program Implementer for the Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention program (EIBI) working with children with Autism. Through her job at the IWK she continues to work closely with preschool teachers consulting & providing feedback in various programs. Debbie also teaches regularly at Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education & Mount Saint Vincent University on various topics including challenging behaviour & Inclusion.

    Location: ONLINE

    8 PD hours

    $100

     Registration for our MSVU workshops, along our PD brochure with full workshops details, descriptions and presenter bios is found online    www.msvu.ca/earlychildhoodworkshops    


     



    See more details

  • Understanding Neurodiversity and Implementing Supportive Accommodations for Neurodivergent Children

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    April 4, 2023  6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
    Online via Zoom

    THIS IS ALSO A REPEAT SESSION DUE TO POPLAR DEMAND
    Melissa Castonguay will help us to further understand the often misunderstood term of neurodiversity.
    In this comprehensive workshop Melissa will; 
    -Define neurodiversity 
    -Compare the pathology model to the neurodiversity model 
    -Explain how to respond to sensory meltdowns
    -Explore some neurodiversity affirming practices 
    -Teach us how to "reframe" our observations 
    -Share how to talk with children about neurodiversity 
    -Identify how we can provide supportive learning environments 
    -Discuss sensory regulation strategies and activities that meet the sensory needs of neurodivergent children 

    If interested contact Jane MacKenzie at 
    jane.mackenzie@janenorman.ca

    Cost - $30.00

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  • NSCECE - Reflective Seminars: Relationships, Wellbeing & Flow

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    April 4, 2023  7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

    Watch Carrie Melsom's seminar on building relationships and creating a flow of each day that supports children's wellbeing.

    Facilitated by Carrie Melsom, hosted by Olha Khaperska (EYCDC).

    IMPORTANT: Please make sure you watched the Relationships, Wellbeing & Flow - Reflective Seminar. It is available on our on-demand PD platform with a 30-day free trial period.

    We will structure our online discussion around the learning outcomes of the seminar:

    • Identify environmental factors that can increase stress and distress in childcare classrooms.
    • Use the 4 C’s Framework to increase attachment and resilience.
    • Discuss 6 key practices that support increased wellbeing in childcare programs.
    • Analyze their classroom schedule and implement strategies to reduce transitions and increase opportunities for longer blocks of child-initiated play.
    • Set next steps for improving classroom wellbeing for children and educators.

     To register, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/412116450397

    See more details

April 5, 2023
  • MSVU The Scream!!! Digging Deeper into How We Understand & Respond to Children’s Screams

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    April 5, 2023  7:00 pm - April 12, 2023  8:30 pm
    Mount Saint Vincent University, 166 Bedford Hwy, Halifax, NS B3M 2J6, Canada

    Date: Wednesday April 5 & Wednesday April 12, 2023 (7pm-8:30 pm both evenings)
    Cost: $40 Total PD hours: 3 hours Location: ONLINE Presenter: Taylor Hansen
    Description“Use your words”
    Young children’s screams are often misunderstood, dismissed, quieted, or disciplined. In this workshop we will explore our own feelings about children’s screams & how these feelings impact how we respond to screams in the early years. We will discuss the different ways screams are used by children, why they are important for educators to listen closely to, & how we can better respond to them. Educators will learn to see screams as overflowing with meaning & requiring more thoughtful engagement.
    Objectives::
    Clearer understanding of adult perceptions of children’s screaming & the impacts, with a specific focus on understand-ing how you react to screaming & the impacts of your reactions
    Increased knowledge of the diverse & complex ways children use screaming
    Equipped with new perspectives & information to support getting curious about screaming & disrupt automatic & generalized responses


    Presenter Biography; Taylor Hansen has worked with young people in a variety of capacities & contexts for over 18 years. She has always prioritized being open to new experiences in the service of young people in order to broaden her perspective & improve her practice. She previously worked as an ECE at the MSVU Child Study Centre & ran an early learning program that focused on creative projects inspired by time with nature. She currently is a Research Coordinator at the IWK & teaches in the Department of Child & Youth Study at MSVU. At its core her personal practice is about building relationships & she believes that it is in the context of relationships that we are able to understand one another & meet the needs of young people.

    Location: ONLINE

    3 PD hours

    $40

     Registration for our MSVU workshops, along our PD brochure with full workshops details, descriptions and presenter bios is found online    www.msvu.ca/earlychildhoodworkshops    


     



    See more details

To view all upcoming workshops, please click here

About Us

The Early Years Professional Development Committee consists of representatives of provincially funded Training Institutions and Support Sites  
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Contact Us

To contact one of the individual centres directly, please use the form on the Contact Us page  
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