Join Jessica, our Professional Learning Supervisor, this week as she unveils the newly renamed community of practice: EduConnect. These sessions create a welcoming space for educators to connect, share fresh ideas, spark inspiration, and grow together as a professional community. Each session is thoughtfully tailored to one of three areas: Licensed Home Child Care, Before and After School Programs, and Licensed Child Care.

Explore upcoming EduConnect sessions along with a wide range of other professional learning opportunities by visiting our Professional Learning Calendar. You’ll find both in‑person and live virtual options to support your learning needs:https://cdrcpoptin.azurewebsites.net/

Tune in as the Professional Learning team shares their standout moments from 2025. Bibi reflects on the year’s largest events, the newest innovations, and the lessons learned while developing two of CDRCP’s newest initiatives: the Learning Link and the Learning Hub. Take a moment to revisit the successes that shaped 2025 and get excited for what’s ahead in 2026!

CDRCP extends a heartfelt thank-you to our listeners for supporting such a dynamic, diverse, and transformative year. We look forward to continuing our commitment to early years professionals, whether you’re learning hands-on at our in-person sessions, engaging deeply during virtual workshops, exploring fresh articles on the Learning Hub, or tuning in to this podcast. We will see you again in the new year!

January - March professional learning opportunities are out now! Visit our professional learning calendar to find in-person or live virtual sessions that support your needs: https://cdrcpoptin.azurewebsites.net/

In this episode, Jennifer Logan and Taylor Davis dive into the vital role of mentorship in the early years, exploring how connection, collaboration, and shared learning are shaping the field today. Together, they reflect on the current state of retention and recognition for early years professionals in Ontario, and discuss how both formal and informal mentorship practices can help educators thrive in their professional journeys.

Taylor and Jennifer discuss the insights Jennifer has gathered through stepping into the role of Mentorship Project Coordinator at CDRCP, highlighting the organization’s first steps into mentorship with the upcoming pilot launching this November. Jennifer highlights what inspires her exploration of group mentorship versus one-on-one mentorship and how collective reflection may be one piece of the puzzle in creating a sustainable early years sector in Peel.

Peel educators... stay tuned! A new Mentorship Pilot program will be coming to Peel soon! Keep an eye out for more information on the pilot, to be released through CDRCP's community messaging systems and CDRCP's social media pages at the end of November.

Follow @CDRCP on all social media platforms

For more professional learning opportunities like this: https://cdrcp.com/professional-learning/

Sources from this episode:

The Early Years: Beginning Early Childhood Educators’ Induction Experiences and Needs in British Columbia (2016) article by Dr. Laura Doan

How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years https://www.publications.gov.on.ca/how-does-learning-happen-ontarios-pedagogy-for-the-early-years

New Teacher Induction Program (NTIP) https://www.ontario.ca/page/new-teacher-induction-program

College of Early Childhood Educators CPL Resource: Mentoring https://www.college-ece.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/CPL-Resource-Mentoring.pdf

College of Early Childhood Educators Practice Note: Professional Relationships https://www.college-ece.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/PN_Professional_Relationships_EN_FINAL.pdf

Knowing our Numbers: Regional Municipality of Peel Knowing our numbers https://knowingournumbers.ca/media/filer_public/regional-reports/kon-peel.pdf

What if professional learning felt more like dialogue than information delivery? In this episode, Bibi Haniff is joined by guest, Rosalba Bortolotti, founder of Acorn Collaborative, to explore how listening, reflection, and connection can reshape the way educators grow together. Rosalba shares her journey of building communities where educators can slow down, listen deeply, and reflect together. From her exploration of the pedagogy of listening to the art of creating inviting and collaborative learning spaces, Rosalba invites us to see professional growth not as training, but as transformation.

It’s Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day!

Taylor takes over the podcast and, in this episode, she invites listeners to participate in the celebration, recognition, support, and advocacy for early years professionals. Taylor shares the insightful reflections on the impact of ECEs have on children and families, the value of care, and highlights special messages from the Child Development Resource Connection Peel (CDRCP).

Whether you’re an early years professional, a parent, or simply someone who values the role of early learning, this episode is a reminder of why today—and every day—we honour the dedication, compassion, and skill of early childhood professionals

Thank you, early years professionals. Today is for you.

For more professional learning opportunities: https://cdrcp.com/professional-learning/

Peel Region’s Campaign of the experiences of educators: https://peelregion.ca/news/early-childhood-professionals-share-their-joys-challenges-hopes-future

Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care: https://childcareontario.org/child-care-worker-and-early-childhood-educator-appreciation-day-2025/

AECEO: https://www.aeceo.ca/

Esha and Jessica explore the inspiring history of the Lifelong Learning Conference and share what’s ahead for the 2025 Lifelong Learning Symposium. From keynote highlights to this year’s top themes—equity, innovation, and early years professionals appreciation. Get the inside scoop on the event that’s shaping the future of education.

Registration for Day 1: NOW CLOSED

How to register for Day 2: https://youtu.be/K2cnDpMqO1k?si=zcbZw5bcONabpywq

Registration for Day 2: https://upstream1.cdrcp.netference.ca/

In this tidbit episode, Bibi takes a moment to pause and reflect on her experiences with early literacy and incorporating books into child care classrooms. Bibi opens up about her personal journey with books, both as a reader and as an educator. From childhood favourites to classroom staples, she reflects on the transformative power of literature and how books continue to shape minds, spark empathy, and create connection in learning spaces.

Bibi and Taylor dive deep into the critical topic of self-care and educator mental health. As former child care classroom educators themselves, they reflect on the emotional toll the profession can take and why it’s time to normalize rest, boundaries, and well-being in education.

Drawing from personal experiences, Bibi and Taylor explore the pressure to "do it all," and the challenges that contribute to emotional exhaustion in educators. More importantly, they share strategies, practical self-care practices, and accessible resources that helped them and others reclaim balance and joy in both personal and professional life.

Resources from this episode:

College of Early Childhood Educators Wellness Resources: https://www.college-ece.ca/members/wellness-resources/

CDRCP On Demand Webinar - Moving Mindfully with Children by Lisa Clarke: https://app.livestorm.co/cdrcp/moving-mindfully-with-children

More professional learning opportunities like this: https://cdrcp.com/professional-learning/