A YEAR IN REVIEW:

Dec 19

ANOTHER YEAR GONE BY…

As the year draws to a close, we at Strive are taking a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared with the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) community. This year has been marked by growth, innovation, and a commitment to empowering professionals in their vital work with children and families.

A Year Dedicated to Broadening Growth and Development Opportunities

In 2024, we expanded our professional learning offerings to provide educators with relevant, impactful, and inclusive opportunities. Through in-person and virtual workshops, Communities of Practice (CoPs), curated resources, and more, we strived to meet the evolving needs of educators across London, Middlesex, Oxford, and Elgin.

Highlights include:

Another System-Wide Professional Learning Day
- Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the London/Middlesex Leading Inspired Learning System-Wide Day and Oxford’s two system-wide days, Caring Hearts. Compassionate Minds. and Sparking Connections! Your hard work, collaboration, and dedication brought these events to life. A heartfelt thank you also to all who participated and engaged in the sessions—your energy, insights, and commitment to learning made each day an inspiring and impactful experience for everyone involved.
Launch of new Communities of Practice (CoPs)
- Building on the success of existing CoPs, Strive expanded and developed new CoPs in 2024 to further support professionals in cultivating well-being, belonging, expression, engagement, and networking with like-minded colleagues who share similar goals and intentions.
Launch of the Community Animator and Mentorship Hub
- Community Animator, Kayla Paquette has been diligently working to translate the research gathered from their role into actionable supports aimed at sustaining the existing child care and early years workforce, enhancing access to opportunities that promote retention and recruitment, growing the number of qualified staff in the early years and child care sector, and attracting and supporting the development of a more diverse workforce that better reflects the children and families that the sector serves.
London/Middlesex professionals now have access to FREE Professional Resource Centre membership. With a membership you can access:
- Resource Centre Lending Library
- Maker Space
- Meeting Space
- Prayer Room

Looking Ahead

While the year brought many successes, it also presented challenges. These experiences reminded us that flexibility and collaboration are key to overcoming obstacles and maintaining our commitment to high-quality professional learning.

As we step into the new year, we are energized by the possibilities ahead. We’re planning:

Distribution of System-Wide Resource Kits
Distribution of newly curated Book Bundles
Fresh line-up of Professional Learning events

Stats

This year we have been a busy community. Via Strive, there has been:

96 professional learning opportunities
161 professional learning hours
1115 professionals that participated in professional learning opportunities
38 episodes of the Leading Inspired Learning Podcast
397 active members of Professional Resource Centre
- 1547 open-ended physical resources to incorporate into your practice

And these numbers do not include the Leading Inspired Learning System-Wide Day

Strive’s Favourite 2024 Professional Learning Offerings:

Amy: There were so many events that I'd love to write about as my favourites, but to pick ONE, the Trivia Night centered around the new Child Care Centre Licensing Manual was an evening to remember! I loved how it combined learning with a fun, relaxed atmosphere. It was a great way to test out knowledge and learn about the new manual updates while connecting with colleagues and fellow childcare professionals in a more casual setting.

The friendly competition brought out a lot of energy, and it was exciting to see how well the teams worked together to answer the questions. Plus, the delicious food and drinks made the evening even more enjoyable! It was a perfect blend of learning, camaraderie, and fun, and I’ll always remember how great it felt to engage with others in such a lively way. Seeing how much fun everyone had brought me so much joy.

Kayla B: I have to agree with Amy, Trivia Night was a favourite for me. This was our first time trying something like this, and our team learned SO much alongside the community as we compiled questions to support stronger understanding of the CCEYA. We had some experienced professionals in the room that also prompted us to follow up and check-in on our own interpretations of the document along the way. Learning opportunities where our team is able to be just as immersed and inspired by the process are always my favourite.

I also want to take a chance to acknowledge the amazing work that has been happening with Mike Masse to support our local EarlyON/Family Centre teams. We were able this year to take a systems approach and have Mike develop programs to support wellness and mindfulness learning for professionals, families, and children- so all three groups can have the same foundation and speak the same language. I am so excited to see the impacts of this program and what possibilities exist for the future. Alongside Mike’s programs, we were also able to engage with Dana Libby to support in conceptualizing boundary setting and realistic expectations for Family Centre Professionals based on her knowledge of the local system. It was truly such an honour to support and the feedback has been amazing so far.

Sara: There have been so many amazing professional learning opportunities this year, but my personal favourite of 2024 was A Book Tasting: Conversations on Children’s books!

Early Years professionals visited Strive and we had a blast discussing; the Resource Centres practices for selecting books, the important balance of diversifying your bookcase and using outdated books you already have as an opportunity for meaningful discussion, and tips on engaging children in reading.

The evening was filled with joy as attendees shared childhood reading memories and enjoyed exploring the books on display. It was truly inspiring to witness everyone coming together, exchanging ideas, and sharing stories through conversation and reading.

Jenn: The professional learning opportunities that really stood out to me in 2024 were the session with Joanna Ho on Standing Up, Speaking Out, and Taking Up Space: Amplifying Voices of the Asian Diaspora and the Children’s Rights and Global Citizenship Panel. The conversations and insights shared during these sessions truly deepened my commitment to advocating for diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, not only in education but in society as a whole.

These experiences pushed me to think in new ways and inspired me to take real action, especially when it comes to ensuring that marginalized voices—whether children, families, or fellow professionals—are heard, valued, and represented in early learning spaces. They also reinforced the importance of standing in solidarity with those who are disempowered, reminding me that collective action and allyship are key to challenging systemic inequities and making real, transformative change.

Olivia: There have been so many amazing professional learning opportunities this year, making it incredibly challenging to pick just one. However, one that I continue to reflect back on and integrate in my practice is Tender Hearts: Understanding and Supporting Children Through Grief facilitated by Patti Broadfoot. I found this session to be both highly informational and practical, broadening my view on what may lead someone to grieve - including, but not limited to experiences such as death, losing a comfort item, or not getting a job you were hoping for.

Not only have I found myself applying my learnings professionally, but also in personal life. As someone who values being a lifelong learner, I always enjoy sessions that allow me to grow as both a professional and individual person. I really enjoyed this session because although death, loss, and grief are often considered taboo subjects, the reality is that they impact us all. Engaging in these difficult conversations are essential in order for us to truly show up and support one another. Engaging in these difficult, yet important, conversations allow us to grow and flourish together as a community.

Kayla P: The professional learning opportunities that really stood out to me in 2024 were our Mentorship sessions and the session with Karyn Callaghan Having and Being a Pedagogical Companion during the Leading Inspired Learning system-wide day event.

What I loved about the mentorship sessions was how powerful the conversations were. It wasn’t just about sharing ideas—it was about real connection. There was this sense of community, of learning from each other, and of feeling like we were all in it together. Those moments reminded me how important it is to have spaces where we can talk openly and grow alongside others!

And then there was Karyn Callaghan. Her session was so inspiring. She has this incredible way of making you stop and think—really think—about the work we do and the impact we have. She brought a fresh perspective to creativity, inquiry, and collaboration, and the way she got everyone reflecting and engaging in dialogue was amazing. I left her session feeling recharged and full of ideas, which was exactly what I needed.

Both of these experiences made me realize how much I value opportunities to connect with others. Whether it’s through mentorship or a session like Karyn’s, it’s those moments of shared learning and reflection that stick with me the most.

Alicia: It’s hard to choose just one favorite event from this year—there were so many incredible offerings! If I had to pick, though, The Cabinet of Curiosity and Creativity facilitated by Kristen Day stands out as my highlight.

I was fortunate enough to see Kristen speak twice—once in Elgin and again during our Leading Inspired Learning System-Wide Learning Day—and both sessions were absolutely fantastic. Kristen’s warm, joyful energy made her presentations so engaging and memorable. She was funny, down-to-earth (she presented barefoot both times!), and delivered such valuable insights on play and learning.

Her sessions encouraged everyone to revisit the basics, explore the limitless potential of loose parts, and reflect on the true meaning of play. Kristen reminded us that play is about the process, not the product. She inspired participants to let go, get creative, and allow children the freedom to explore and discover (free the glue!).
Her fresh perspective was adored by everyone in the room, and I would absolutely jump at the chance to watch her speak again.

Liz: The professional learning opportunity that had the greatest impact on my development was the "Cabinet of Curiosity and Creativity" session with Kristen Day. As someone who values the use of loose parts, I make a point of incorporating them into every invitation and provocation I set up in the Resource Centre. Attending Kristen’s session provided me with new perspectives and resources to enrich the environment further. I found the integration of literacy and provocation, while advocating for children’s freedom of choice, to be particularly validating and aligned with my own pedagogy.

THANK YOU!

Through the ups and downs, your unwavering dedication, resilience, and passion for nurturing growth and development in ECEC has been truly inspiring.

Thank you for the countless ways you create spaces of belonging, curiosity, and joy for children and families, even during the most challenging times. Your impact is immeasurable, and we are honored to stand alongside you in supporting this sector.

Wishing you a restful and joyful holiday season. We look forward to continuing this journey together in the year ahead!

Strive SWO