Networking is a vital aspect to the professional growth of early childhood educators. Strive provides opportunities for practitioners to network and connect with other professionals within environments that stimulate creativity and innovation. Collaboration and innovation combine to improve practice and impact. We are committed to building an environment that cultivated innovative collaboration because it allows for new pathways to success. Networking renews and refreshes, it brings synergy and pushes boundaries.
Our current Networks include:
- Nursery School and Parent Cooperative Network
- Réseau Francophones
Nursery School and Parent Cooperative Network
While we all navigate the ongoing changes that the Covid-19 pandemic have brought, the have uniquely impacted Nursery School programs. The purpose of this group is to network, collaborate, brainstorm, and share ideas in moving forward with these changes, while still keeping the philosophy of your programs.
This group will give you the opportunity to connect with others who are in the same situation and to work together to figure out how to implement these changes and share information with families. Bring ideas, successes, questions, and concerns, and we will work through them together.
All are welcome! This group is meeting monthly on the last Monday of each month at 2pm via zoom. If you are interested in attending a network meeting, please email Bre at breanna@striveswo.ca to be sent the meeting information.
Réseau Franchophones
L’objectif du réseau est de réunir les professionnels fancophones en petit enfance pour collaborer, discuter et échanger sur leurs idées, succès, questions et inquiétudes. C’est aussi l’occasion d’identifier les besoins en développement professionnel et soutenir les meilleures pratiques pour des services en petit enfance francophone de qualité.
Tout le monde est bienvenu! S’inscrire à notre prochaine réunion ici: EVENTS.
Communities of Practice
“The College defines communities of practice for RECEs in this way:
A group of professionals who share a concern or passion about a practice topic and who wish to learn how to improve this area of practice by communicating and collaborating with each other regularly over time. Communities of practice are examples of reflective practice and collaborative inquiry.
In a community of practice, RECEs come together to discuss, learn and strategize ways in which to better understand or advance a shared passion as a group and as individuals in daily practice. The voices and perspectives of all members are reflected in the work of a community of practice.”
–College of Early Childhood Educators, CPL Resource, Communities of Practice
Our current Communities of Practice include:
- Infant Educators
- Outdoor Play
- Cooks and Dietary Planners
- Be Well
- La Communauté d’Échange
Community of Practice: Infant Educators
Facilitated by: Paula Dibbits, RECE
“Although it is possible to be a reflective teacher on your own, reflecting with a group of coworkers offers a richer experience of camaraderie, multiple perspectives, deeper learning, and shared enjoyment of your work together.” (Curtis, Lebo, Cividanes, & Carter, 2013).
This opportunity invites educators who work in and/or support infant programs to come together and collaboratively reflect on the unique joys and the challenges that come with caring for our youngest children.
Participants will share experiences, ideas and resources, offer one another support, listen, and ask thoughtful questions. Topics may include programming ideas, communication, the environment, and much more. Conversations emerging from this group will be ongoing.
All are welcome! If you are interested in attending a community of practice, visit EVENTS.
Community of Practice: Outdoor Play
During the Covid-19 pandemic, a sub-committee of professionals dedicated to outdoor play came together with the goal of supporting educators in their outdoor practice. This unique time has highlighted the ever-important need for children to be outdoors.
This committee includes:
- Alan Thompson – Playventure
- Tandy Morton – WildChild
- Jenny Britt – YMCASWO
- Breanna Piccolotto – Strive
The outdoors is an important part of our day with children and this monthly opportunity brings childcare professionals together to discuss the challenges and successes of outdoor programming.
All are welcome! If you are interested in attending a community of practice, visit EVENTS.
Community of Practice: Cooks and Dietary Planners
Facilitated by: Ginette Blake, Public Health Dietitian with the Middlesex-London Health Unit
Cooks and Dietary Planners are invited to meet, share ideas, and engage in conversations with fellow professionals. Participants will discuss healthy eating and menu planning from the perspective of the new Child Care and Early Years Act and current nutrition recommendations for children. Conversations emerging from this group will be ongoing.
All are welcome! If you are interested in attending a community of practice, visit EVENTS.
Community of Practice: Be Well
Facilitated by: The Strive Wellness Committee
Join this Community of Practice where we explore and reflect on all areas of self-care and personal wellness, from the emotional, to the psychological, to the social, physical, and professional too.
Participants will be introduced to a variety of practices and tools, hear from wellness professionals, and together, cultivate a strong social support network.
All are welcome! If you are interested in attending a community of practice, visit EVENTS.
La Communauté d’Échange
Facilitée par: Anne Eriksson et Gabriela Neculman
Lors de nos rencontres, nous discuterons divers sujets pour enricher votre rôle comme accompagnateur/andragogique/pédagogique.
Tous sont les bienvenues à se joindre à ce programme de mentorat.
Ceux qui s’intéressent peuvent s’inscrire ici, EVENTS.