Growing a Culture of Reflective Practice - Moving with Purpose and Intention; November 2025
On November 18, 2025, Niagara Region Children's Services hosted this inspiring and thought-provoking professional learning session led by Lorrie Baird and Anne Marie Coughlin. Together, they guided educators and leaders through a rich exploration of what it means to learn and lead with purpose in a constantly evolving world.
Together, participants reflected on the profound impact early childhood educators and leaders have on children, families, and communities, and considered how daily decisions shape the spaces they create.
Infant and Early Years Mental Health Deep Dive Learning Day; December 2024
Educators working in relationship with children, their families and caregivers, have a critical role in supporting the development of mental health and well-being. On December 11th, over 1400 individuals working within Niagara’s early learning sector came together to dive deeper into the definition of mental health, to learn key concepts and to have conversation on how mental health and wellness may be fostered through relationship and pedagogical practice.
Keynote segments were presented through out the day by Dr. Jean Clinton and Lorrie McGee Baird while conversations were supported by table facilitators. The table facilitators were individuals working in the early learning sector who volunteered to play a very special role of prompting conversation and reflection through out the day. In preparation for the Deep Dive Learning Day, Facilitators completed a three hour training session that provided strategies and supports necessary to ensure a successful event. Through deep discussion and hands-on experiences, the Deep Dive Learning participants made connections between the core concepts for mental health and the daily practice and pedagogical approach of educators in EarlyON and licensed childcare settings.
Learning Together to Support Diversity and Inclusion Within Early Years Settings; April 2024
Check back soon.
Niagara Cares Early Learning and Child Care Conference; June 2023
Hosted by Niagara Region Children's Services on June 23rd, the purpose of this conference was to recognize, support and celebrate RECE's, child care staff, and administrators working in licensed child care and licensed home child care in Niagara Region.
The nearly 1,000 attendees had the opportunity to attend two keynote sessions and two breakout room sessions from twenty different presenters. This conference aimed to inspire and encourage staff and provide strategies to support self-care and well-being while offering engaging reflection opportunities.
"The conference was a wonderful way to connect, appreciate and stand together for our profession. Regardless of our role, we can all have a positive impact on the children, families and each other!! The organizers did an amazing job coordinating the entire event to keep the day flowing and minimizing wait times for meal breaks. This was an exceptional event. Thank you!!!"
"It was a wonderful day. I truly felt my profession was acknowledged, appreciated and cared for. Learned new techniques for self care and felt very inspired by some of the speakers. Thank you for a wonderful experience."
"I loved the food! Loved the keynote speakers! They had great energy and were interesting! The break out sessions were well planned and very good as well! I liked that I got to see friends I had not seen for quite a while and the networking! Overall, it was the best professional development event I have ever been to in the 25 years that I have been in this field! I was pleasantly surprised and felt like it was a much needed day for myself and colleagues! Cannot wait for next year's event!"
"I am in awe of your organizers. This event was so well organized and arranged. It takes a tremendous amount of work to pull off something with so many speakers, attendees, details on top of details. It was executed beautifully. It was a great day. My team had an amazing time and I personally feel reinvigorated about my ECE story."
