Activity 2.4 | Resources to Support Educators, Children and their Families

Influential Organizations

Many resources are available to support ECEs and the children in their care.

You are encouraged to check out some of the most influential organizations that support educators. 

Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia

Most of the resources have their foundation in prior decades as the sector has grown and changed and diverse philosophies have driven the development of new programs. One of the leaders in the province is the Early Childhood Educators of BC that has been serving the sector for over 50 years. It was established in 1969 as the British Columbia Preschool Teachers Association (BCPSTA), changing its name in 1988. ECEBC has provided training for ECEs including a yearly conference, workshops and programs such as the Leadership Initiative and Best Choices. The ECEBC Code of Ethics is a guide used throughout the sector in the province and is part of formal training in post-secondary. The organization strongly advocates for important issues such as the $10/Day Child Care Plan and partners with many others such as the Canadian Child Care Federation. It is a body that represents all early childhood educators in the province of BC who can choose to be members and receive benefits such as a monthly journal. In recent years ECEBC has also managed different levels of funding for grants and student bursaries. Navigate to the ECEBC website to learn more about the resources available. 

For further information see their website https://www.ecebc.ca. If interested, you can also read about the history of ECEBC. 

Canadian Child Care Federation

The CCCF has been in existence since 1983. The organization supports ECE members and provincial groups from across Canada. They produce webinars, guides and information sheets, support research, advocate for quality care, and disseminate international research and knowledge from the sector. To learn more about the CCCF, visit their website. 

BC Aboriginal Child Care Society 

The BCACCS was formed in the mid-1990s by the First Nations Summit as a body to administer new childcare funding that had become available through the federal government to develop Indigenous childcare spaces. From this beginning the society grew into providing training for ECEs and childcare providers in mostly First Nations communities across the province of BC. Annual conferences began in the early 2000s with training workshops and speakers, and importantly, the opportunity to gather educators who share similar work and values in their communities. The society has grown over the last decade in producing resources and research, administrating different program funding, including being the BC home for Jordan’s Principle.

References

BC Aboriginal Child Care Society. (2025). Jordan’s Principle Service Coordination Hub. https://jordansprinciplehubbc.ca/about-jordans-principle/

Canadian Child Care Federation. (n.d.). Canadian Child Care Federation. https://cccf-fcsge.ca/

ECEBC. (n.d.). Supporting, Facilitating & Connecting Early Childhood Educators in BC. https://www.ecebc.ca/

Child Care Resource and Referral Centres

1. Locate a Child Care Resource and Referral Centre near you. 

2. Learn more about the BC Government Ministry of Education and Child Care

3. Sign up for ChildCareBC Bulletin (Optional)

4. Learn about Occupational Standards by reading about them on the CCHRSC website

“Occupational Standards describe what a person in a particular occupation needs to know and be able to do to be considered ‘capable’ in the occupation. In general, ‘capable’ means that a person has the level of skills, knowledge and abilities required to do a job effectively, safely and properly.”  

(Child Care Human Resources Sector Council - CCHRSC)

Choose one of these organizations to explore further. You may also choose a different relevant organization connected to early learning, leadership, or policy. Some examples include:

• BC Council for Families

• BC Association of Family Resource Programs

• Child Care Resource and Research Unit

• Human Early Learning Partnership

• Neighbourhood Houses and Inter-cultural Societies

Journal Activity: Reflecting on ECE Leadership

Write a one- to two-page journal entry describing your research into your selected organization. Focus your reflection through the lens of ECE leadership:

• What leadership approaches or values are evident in this organization’s work?

• What did you learn that might influence your leadership practice or advocacy?

• How might this organization serve as a resource for you as a leader supporting your team, community, or sector?

• How could you use this knowledge to help guide or recommend professional development opportunities for staff working toward their 40 hours of PD for ECE Certificate renewal?

This reflection is an opportunity to build your professional network and resource toolkit as an ECE leader.

References

Child Care Human Resources Sector Council. (2010). Occupational standards for early childhood educators. https://www.ccsc-cssge.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/ECE-Post-Secondary-docs/OSECE_2010_EN.pdf

Government of British Columbia. (n.d.). Child Care Resource and Referral centres. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/caring-for-young-children/childcarebc-programs/child-care-resource-referral/find-your-ccrr

Government of British Columbia. (n.d.). ChildCareBC Bulletin. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/caring-for-young-children/communications-engagement/childcare-bc-bulletin​BC Gov News+5