Advocacy Resources
Advocacy is a responsibility for ALL child care professionals. In fact, it is a commitment we make as members of the College of Early Childhood Educators, as outlined in our Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
While it is certainly an important aspect of it, advocacy is not limited to influencing change at a political or policy level. It is also about the small decisions and changes we can make every day.
“RECEs communicate the value and importance of early childhood education in their communities and to the broader public. RECEs advocate in the interest of children, families, early childhood educators and the early years sector.”
Effective advocacy shows up in how we communicate the importance of our work with others, the language that we use, and the stories that we share. We all have a part to play in highlighting the inherent value early learning and care services bring to children, families, and communities.
Strive believes wholeheartedly in the power of a strong collective voice as a catalyst for positive change. That is why we have identified advocacy as one of our strategic priorities and pursue ongoing collaboration with community partners on advocacy focused initiatives across our community.
Become an RECE (Registered Early Childhood Educator)
Becoming a Registered Early Childhood Educator begins with obtaining your Early Childhood Education diploma. We have partnered with Fanshawe College to highlight the many ways to achieve this. Check out the infographic below to find the pathway that best suits you!
Pathways into a Child Care and Early Years Career
Pathways Into a Child Care and Early Years Career is a FREE introductory program to start you on the path to a rewarding career in the child care sector.
Participants in this program will receive:
job specific training
guidance and support from industry experts
essential skills upgrading
real work experience in the child care sector
job placement and career counselling
the opportunity to expand their professional networks
…and more!
ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM FOR THE EARLY CHILDHOOD SECTOR
This FREE training program has been designed by early childhood professionals with many years of experience in childcare management. It aims to enhance and refine the organizational leadership skills and knowledge of staff working in the field.
This 12-week consecutive program offers you the following learning opportunities:
12 self-thought modules to be completed online
6 professional learning and practice community meetings
Mentor support throughout the learning process
Encourage your staff to reach their full potential by joining the Organizational leadership program!
Unsung Heroes
The Licensed Child Care Network, with support from the City of London and County of Middlesex, created a dynamic campaign that captures the many joys and benefits of a career in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector.
For more information, visit: unsungheroesece.com.
Local Advocacy
Licensed Child Care Network (LCCN)
As an active member of the Licensed Child Care Network’s Advocacy subcommittee, we are proud to contribute to a number of local advocacy initiatives.
To stay connected with this work, visit: lccn.ca.
#IAmEssential
We are so excited to share the video we debuted at Winter Rethink 2021 as part of the #IAmEssential campaign!
This is part of an ongoing collaborative effort with the LCCN Advocacy committee to bring increased awareness and recognition to the child care and early years sector. This video not only captures the strength and resiliency of the child care community, but is also a message of thanks for all your contributions throughout the pandemic and beyond.
You are seen. You are appreciated. You are ESSENTIAL.
We are not done fighting. But if this year has taught us anything, it’s that we can do hard things. You are all proof of that. We’ve got fight left in us. The time is NOW! We will continue our efforts and calls for a National Child Care Strategy as well Professional Pay and Decent Work for all child care professionals, and hold our elected officials accountable to the promises they have made.
A National Childcare Strategy for Canada
Along with our partners from the LCCN and Fanshawe College, we have come together to advocate, research, and promote a National Childcare Strategy for Canada, setting in motion a collaboration that is unique and fluid in meeting the needs of those who value the early years in the London region.
We are working to raise public awareness as well as engage all levels of government to take action in creating a National Childcare Strategy with the pillars of Affordability, Access, Quality, and Responsiveness in mind.
For a prosperous Canada and a fulsome recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the answer has never been more clear.
Read our Open Letter for a National Child Care Strategy HERE.
Early Years Advocates London (EYA London)
EYA London was formed in partnership with the Association of Early Childhood Educators (AECEO) to foster advocacy initiatives in London and area. This community is open to all and is always seeking new membership!
EYA London offers a monthly Community of Practice for the amazing, passionate, dedicated child care workforce in our region to can connect, collaborate and "generate new knowledge by sharing resources, critically examine existing structures, and consider underrepresented perspectives to help pilot initiatives and organize".
You can connect with EYA London on Instagram (@eyalondon).
Provincial Advocacy
Association of Early Childhood Educators (AECEO)
Strive is a proud and supporting member of the Association of Early Childhood Educators (AECEO).
The AECEO is the professional association for Early Childhood Educators whose primary purpose is to advocate for the respect, recognition, appropriate compensation, and decent working conditions for all ECEs in Ontario. They seek to build the capacity and leadership of Educators to advocate for their profession as well as the children and families they care for.
To find out more about the AECEO or to become a member, visit: aeceo.ca
The Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care (OCBCC)
The Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care is Ontario’s central advocacy group for a universal early childhood education and care system. They advocate for: low fees or no fees for parents; decent work and pay for educators; and an expansion of public and non-profit services.
Formed in 1981, the OCBCC is a member organization comprising local child care centres, national and provincial groups and individuals from all across Ontario. Our members are educators, parents, grandparents, centre directors and trade unionists.
New Strategic Plan!
We are pleased to share with you our strategic plan for 2024 – 2026, Leading Inspired Learning. The early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector is constantly evolving. This plan outlines the change we want to inspire and the strategies we will implement in the next three years.
Over the next three years, we will leverage our knowledge and expertise to build capacity in the sector. We will strengthen leadership and create opportunities for connection. We will focus on advancing mentorships in all its complex facets. We will embed equity, diversity, and inclusion in all we do.
Together, we will strive to reach our goal of an engaged and empowered early years community.
We hope you will join us in leading inspired learning!
Join the ECE Professional Resource Centre
Strive is here to support all your professional learning needs. We have an inventory of physical resources that can be borrowed to support your program’s needs. A membership costs $35.00 for a full year of access. You can browse our inventory online before committing to a membership.
In addition, we understand that it may be difficult to attend professional learning events in addition to your work day but that you value your professional growth. That is why we created an online learning platform, Strive Online, with digital resources, prerecorded webinars, live recorded sessions, and printouts that you can access any day, any time! We will continue to grow our online library of resources in response to the community’s needs. Strive Online resources are free to access.
Early Learning Professionals are invited to join the ECE Professional Resource Centre: