Facilitated By: Ally Scott (she/her), RECE & Kathy Harris (she/her), RECE
Imagine the place where you feel the most relaxed and comfortable. Envision a space where you feel ready to learn. Visualize where you are when you feel the happiest. Is it your classroom? If not, join us to explore the importance of the environment and how it affects play, learning and care. Let’s investigate the meaning of “planning and creating environments as a “third teacher” (How Does Learning Happen?, p. 16).
Exploring aspects of the physical environment will inspire you to look more deeply at:
the first impression your classroom makes;
how your room meets the needs of the children in your care;
the intentionality of materials you use; and
how it relates to the outdoors.
Reflective activities will give participants a chance to tour the child care centre and discuss the impact our spaces have in our work with children.
While this is a fun and lighthearted introduction to discussing the physical environment, it will ultimately leave you to reflect on how your space uniquely supports the children in your care.
Ally is a Registered Early Childhood Educator in London, Ontario. She completed her Bachelor of Arts, English Language and Literature at Western University then followed her heart to complete an Early Childhood Education (ECE) diploma at Fanshawe College which has led to an enriching career in Early Childhood Education and Care.
She is the Project Manager of Strive which supports capacity building in the early years across London, Middlesex, Elgin and Oxford. Ally also teaches part-time in the Early Childhood Education program at Fanshawe College. Throughout her 15 year career, she has been a preschool educator, a cruise ship kids councilor, a Director of a child care centre, a curriculum trainer, and a Professional Learning facilitator, to name a few.
Ally proudly sits on multiple committees and is dedicated to advocating for the profession. She is a mom to a two-year old boy Macklin and loves hearing him giggle more than anything in the world.
Kathy Harris (she/her) is a Certified Registered Early Childhood Educator who has worked exclusively for London Bridge Child Care Services for her entire 27 year career. A graduate of Fanshawe College, Kathy currently works at Huron Heights Early Learning and Care Centre in London Ontario as the Centre Director/Pedagogical Lead.
Kathy spends her time at Huron Heights working alongside her brilliant Pedagogical Mentor colleagues to support their team of 30 Early Years Practitioners to lead a care centred pedagogy with their 127 children. Her passions include reimagining and enhancing current systems and supporting community initiatives through Strive and the Licensed Child Care Network (LCCN) in London, Ontario.
To access printable poster, please use the following link: Extreme Makeover: Classroom Edition Poster - Elgin
Wednesday October 25
6:30 PM - 8:00PM
Milestones Children’s Centre
5 Shaw Valley Dr
St. Thomas, ON
N5R 6J9
Pay What You Can - Suggested Amount $5
** Ticket types are based on the county you WORK in