Connecting Deeply for an Inclusive ECE Environment
Unit outline
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Royal Roads acknowledges the campus is located on the traditional Lands of the Lekwungen-speaking peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.
Connecting Deeply for an Inclusive ECE Environment
Welcome to the Connecting Deeply for an Inclusive ECE Environment course!
This openly accessible course site is part a set of open educational resources designed specifically for early childhood education (ECE) leaders and managers in British Columbia, Canada. The content, activities, and examples are grounded in the policies, frameworks, and practices relevant to this region. While we recognize that participants may access these open courses from anywhere in the world, it is important to note that the information presented reflects the BC context. We encourage participants from other regions to consult their local policies, governing bodies, guidelines, and regulations to ensure alignment with their specific practices and professional requirements
This 32-hour course is designed for early childhood education (ECE) leaders. Given the diverse nature of our British Columbia communities, child care programs need to promote inclusivity to ensure children, families, and educators feel seen, heard and welcomed. In this course, learners will explore the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to create such welcoming environments.
Together, we explore what it means to be inclusive. While this course focuses on the British Columbia context, many of its elements may resonate across different settings, requiring you to reflect on the uniqueness of your context. British Columbia's diverse population and complex history shape how we approach inclusion. By understanding and reflecting on history, landscape, and our responsibilities as citizens, we can engage with children, families, and one another in more thoughtful and caring ways. Considering how your program welcomes families and children into early childhood communities, reflect on your vision of a genuinely inclusive and welcoming environment.
Participants will develop and articulate their vision and philosophy of inclusive practice and gain insights into how the physical environment and broader community can support a culture of belonging. This course will equip learners with tools and strategies for embedding inclusive practices in their work. The course will include analysis of both indoor and outdoor physical spaces and their impact, as well as the emotional and social dynamics.
Discussions will also cover the importance of a relationship to the land and the responsibility to place as elements of thoughtful program planning. Understanding that child care programs are integral parts of their communities, learners will assess available community support and learn how to engage these resources effectively. They will also consider their role in advocating for children, families, and educators to strengthen the inclusive nature of their practice.
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Certificate of Completion Page
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Childs, E., Elliot, E., Gedak, L., & Manion, K.(2025). Connecting Deeply for an Inclusive ECE Environment. (OER). CC-BY 4.0
Course Developer Anonymous Contributor
Subject Matter Expert Enid Elliot
Instructional Designer Lisa Gedak
Project Leads Elizabeth Childs & Kathleen Manion