SHAPING THE SECTOR: PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
In early childhood education, each day brings new opportunities to learn. From the children we work with, the families we support and the professionals we collaborate with. We are constantly learning through experience, reflection, and connection.
We also know that balancing so many responsibilities takes incredible dedication. That commitment is what makes our sector so strong. Professional learning can be another meaningful layer of growth. A space to pause, recharge and gain new perspectives that enrich our everyday practice.
That’s why we wanted to build on the amazing work Strive already does by helping make professional learning feel more accessible and inviting for educators across our community.
Who We Are
We are Avery, Emma, and Jazmine, students in the Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership program at Fanshawe College. This fall, we’re partnering with Strive as part of our final-year project to support and celebrate professional learning in the early years sector.
Our connection with Strive started back in the summer, when Jazmine and Avery had the chance to work with their team and learn from their approach to community and collaboration. Our experience inspired us to create a project that continues the spirit of connection we experienced with Strive. A small way to help more educators experience the benefits of professional learning and to connect with all that Strive offers.
Our Project
Throughout November, we’ll be visiting 20 licensed early learning and child care centres across the city to share resource kits we’ve created about professional learning. Each kit includes information on upcoming opportunities with Strive, ideas for different ways to engage (like CoPs, workshops, the Leading Inspired Learning podcast, and Strive’s blog) and a few other resources.
We randomly selected centres from different areas of London to reach a mix of different programs and communities. Before our visits, we’ll send a quick email introduction, and our drop-ins will be short and friendly. We’ll simply be delivering the kits, but if anyone wants to chat more about professional learning or Strive, we’d love that too!
Moving Forward Together
Professional learning is something we all take part in, whether it’s through a conversation with a colleague, trying a new idea in the classroom, or attending a professional learning event that sparks reflection. It’s about growing together, sharing experiences, and continuing to strengthen the impressive work already happening in early learning programs every day.
Through this project, we hope to help make those opportunities feel even more connected and approachable for educators across our community.
We’re so thankful to Strive for welcoming us into this process and modelling what authentic, relationship-based learning looks like. This experience has reminded us how powerful it can be when we learn with and from one another.
If you’d like to learn more about Strive or upcoming opportunities, their team is always happy to connect. Keep an eye on Strive’s social media for photos of resource kits and updates on professional learning events. If your centre would like to connect before our project wraps up, we’d love to hear from you!
Connect more with Avery, Emma, and Jazmine’s project by commenting below!