The ECCDC is excited to launch a pilot project to support early learning and child care programs and seniors residences in their efforts to offer unique intergenerational experiences. Beginning in January, the ECCDC will provide Niagara area child care programs and seniors residences with tool kits of ideas and resources designed to facilitate fun and meaningful engagement between children and seniors.
Click here to read the full article, written by Lorrey Arial Bonilla, from the AECEO’s Winter 2014/2015 issue of eceLINK.

More than 45 Registered Early Childhood Educators, volunteers, full day early learning programs and students received recognition last evening at a special awards ceremony at the Holiday Inn & Suites in St. Catharines. The ceremony was part of the 18th Annual Niagara Early Learning and Child Care Awards of Excellence celebration and was coordinated by the Early Childhood Community Development Centre (ECCDC) with support from the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario (AECEO).
Click here to view the full media release.

Niagara’s 18th Annual Early Learning and Child Care Awards of Excellence: A Celebration of Niagara’s early learning and child care community’s EPIC journey of success will take place on Thursday November 20, from 5:30 to 9:00 pm at the Holiday Inn & Suites on Ontario Street in St. Catharines. Niagara’s early learning and child care sector has recently undergone many changes, and we have successfully navigated this change through the dedication and collaboration of our early learning community. This EPIC event will recognize the contributions of educators, early childhood education students and volunteers involved in Niagara’s early learning, kindergarten, and child care programs for their Excellence, Professionalism, Innovation and Commitment to children and families during this special ceremony, which will be hosted by 105.7 EZ Rock’s Lori Love. We are also thrilled to be having Lois Mahon from the College of Early Ch ildhood Educators, Joan Littleford from the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario, and Commissioner of Community Services, Katherine Chislett in attendance. The Awards of Excellence are coordinated by the Early Childhood Community Development Centre (ECCDC) with support from the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario (AECEO).
Click here to view the full media release.

The Early Childhood Community Development Centre (ECCDC) will launch a pilot project aimed at making it easier for child care centres and seniors homes to offer intergenerational programming. This project is made possible by a $25,000 grant from the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). The New Horizons for Seniors Program is a federal program that supports projects led or inspired by seniors who make a difference in the lives of others and in their communities. Through the NHSP, the Government of Canada encourages seniors to share their knowledge, skills and experiences to the benefit of others.
Click here to view the full media release.

The Honorable Peter Van Loan, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, on behalf of The Honorable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), announces in Welland today that the ECCDC will receive funding from the federal government’s New Horizons for Seniors Program for its upcoming Building Strong Community Connections in Niagara Through Seniors and Children project.

The ECCDC will link seniors in seniors’ residences to children in child care centres so that seniors can share their knowledge, skills, and experience with the younger generation.
Click here to view the full media release.
Click here to view an article from the Welland Tribune.

Science is in the bag for Niagara youngsters!
Click here to view an article highlighting the Science & Technology Project. The project is now fully underway and was made possible through the Kiwanis clubs of Niagara, Ontario Trillium Foundation, and the ECCDC.
Visit the Young Children Priority First website for more information on this and other similar projects.

The Early Childhood Community Development Centre (ECCDC) is a not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to providing early learning and child care professionals with affordable access to the specialized resources, training and supports they require to create high quality experiences for children and families. In 2009, with funding through the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, the ECCDC launched Mentoring Pairs for Child Care. Mentoring Pairs for Child Care was a pilot project aimed at helping supervisors in licensed child care settings enhance their leadership skills and become reflective practitioners, while increasing their professional knowledge and developing strategies for building strong relationships.
Click here for full article by Lorrey Arial Bonilla, in the Spring 2014 issue of the AECEO’s eceLink publication.

Beginning on March 24 2014, Adolescent’s Family Support Services of Niagara (AFSSN) in collaboration with their community partners will host a two-day institute to explore the basic principles related to infant mental health. The first day of the workshop will take place on Monday March 24. The second day will take place on Monday March 31. Both will be held at Amici’s Banquet & Conference Centre in Thorold. Participants will be invited to attend a follow up session at a later time to discuss how strategies are progressing. Tickets are $75 and include breakfast and lunch on both days. This event is of interest to early learning and child care programs, special needs agencies, public health teams, home visitors, case workers and others who work with very young children.
Click here for full media release.
Click here for event flyer.