ASCY Upcoming Events

Dans cette communauté de pratique, les éducateurs francophones se réunissent pour discuter, apprendre et élaborer des stratégies pour mieux comprendre notre pratique quotidienne.

This advanced training is designed for educators who are ready to move beyond the basics and strengthen their day-to-day practice. The focus is on what autism looks like in busy learning environments and how educators’ responses, routines, and environments can either support regulation or contribute to escalation.

Through practical examples and guided reflection, educators will explore proactive strategies, predictable structure, and calm, connection-based responses that support children with more complex needs. This session is hands-on, realistic, and directly applicable to group settings, transitions, and challenging moments.

Facilitated by: ASAP Team

z

The Supervisors’ Professional Learning Community is an opportunity for program leaders to come together to exchange ideas, contribute perspectives, ask questions and make meaning of new ideas, information, and resources.

An email will go out a week prior with the agenda. SPLC will continue to respond to our members’ needs and interests on a monthly basis. This learning community is for supervisors in the City of
Hamilton.

Facilitated by: Nancy Baverstock, RECE & Leslie Busija, RECE

Join us as we examine Montessori and its connections to the Reggio Emilia approach. Together, we’ll examine how these philosophies overlap in their emphasis on the child as a capable, curious, and active participant in their learning journey. Through collaborative discussions and practical examples, we’ll unpack how both approaches align with Ontario’s “How Does Learning Happen?” supporting well-being, engagement, expression, and belonging in early education. This session is open to all interested in learning more about Montessori or those already working in Montessori schools.

Location: Dundas Valley Montessori, 14 Kemp Dr, Dundas

Facilitated by:  Charlotte Edwards

The ELCCN provides a centralized structure for communication, connection, growth and learning with the primary focus for supporting those in a leadership or administrative role. The network is a mechanism for sharing of best practices, resources and policies, supports quality early learning, provides professional learning for leaders and allows sharing of information and updates by CMSM, and other community partners. Meetings are held virtually with in-person opportunities twice a year.

Community Co-Chairs: Sara Buggeln and Jackie Forbes

** THIS MONTH’S LEARNING COMMUNITY WAS CANCELLED DUE TO THE SCHOOL AGE SUMMER SYMPOSIUM HAPPENING ON MAY 29th**

This opportunity is suited for those educators working in before and after school programs or with school aged children. This learning community provides a safe environment for critical inquiry where educators can share their successes and challenges,
co-construct knowledge, and reflect on their role as an educator and their engagement with children and families in the program. The dialogue will be guided by the experiences and interests of the group. Discussions will be relevant to the trends in school age programs such as self-regulation, relationships, shared spaces, programming, environments etc.

Facilitated by: Nicole Colterman & Diane Medeiros

**PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE**

Welcome to our Community of Practice for men working in child care, where we come together to support, learn, and grow. This space is designed to share experiences, challenges, and best practices unique to men nurturing and educating young children. By fostering connection and collaboration, we aim to strengthen our professional skills and promote positive role models in early childhood settings. Together, we can challenge stereotypes and build a more inclusive, diverse child care community. Join us as we empower one another to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families.

Facilitated by:  Nicole Colterman & Jeff Bushell

This PLC is supportive to educators, leaders, and mentors who aspire to dig deeper into the pedagogical practices in early childhood education programs.

“As pedagogical leaders we keep company with educators as they find their way into new understandings of their work-not teaching them what they ought to do or directing their journey, but standing at their side, with provocative questions and generous listening.” (Pelo, 2018, p.75)

Facilitated by: Nancy Baverstock, RECE & Camila Casas Hernandez, RECE

This professional learning community is the opportunity for licensed home childcare providers to gather virtually and connect with their peers to discuss topics relevant to their day to day work in their homes.

This virtual learning community, formally known as Leadership and Supervision PLC in both Hamilton and Haldimand Norfolk, is for current or aspiring Program Leads, Designates, Supervisors, Assistants or leaders in training for succession planning. This is an opportunity to network with others engaged in the on-going journey of leadership. A Learning Community is a safe environment of critical inquiry where leaders can share successes and challenges, co-construct knowledge, and reflect on assumptions and beliefs. The dialogue will be guided by a professional learning and mentoring process as set out in Stepping Side by Side; a resource developed by ASCY to support on-boarding and mentoring. Through this process we aim to support leaders in making clear connections for educators to our guiding documents including “How Does Learning Happen?”, Ontario’s pedagogy for learning through relationships, and the CECE Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice

Location: TBA

Facilitated by:  Charlotte Edwards & Elyse Codispodi

Join us for keynote speaker, Jason Riley, former Hamilton Tiger Cat, who will speak on the topic of bullying. Followed by hands-on exploration, creativity, and a collection of summer themed resources to enrich your seasonal programs!

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is only for those working in Hamilton Early Learning and Child Care.

LAND-BASED LEARNING: AN INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVE

This interactive session invites participants into an Indigenous approach to learning
that understands the land not as a resource, but as a living relative, teacher, and
knowledge holder. Rooted in local relationships, seasonal cycles, and hands-on
experience, this session explores how land-based education nurtures wholistic
learning, cultural identity, and community connection. Through storytelling, guided
reflection, and collaborative dialogue, participants will deepen their understanding
of land base learning from an Indigenous worldview.

Light Refreshments Included

Check-in starts at 6:00 pm

PLEASE NOTE: Registration is only for those working in Hamilton Early Learning and Child Care.

The ELCCN provides a centralized structure for communication, connection, growth and learning with the primary focus for supporting those in a leadership or administrative role. The network is a mechanism for sharing of best practices, resources and policies, supports quality early learning, provides professional learning for leaders and allows sharing of information and updates by CMSM, and other community partners. Meetings are held virtually with in-person opportunities twice a year.

Community Co-Chairs: Sara Buggeln and Jackie Forbes

PLEASE ONLY PAY ON-LINE IF YOU RECEIVED THIS LINK BY AN ASCY STAFF

Do you or any of your staff need to renew their Standard First Aid (SFA)? ASCY has again arranged for a training partner, SOS First Aid and Safety Training, to provide the blended model of SFA. This training model is partially done online and partially done onsite at ASCY.
The cost will be $140 per participant.  Participants can expect to do 7 hours online study and up to 7.5 hours in person.
It is open to Child Care and Early Years educators and staff and Licensed Home Child Care providers/staff who work in Hamilton only.
If you are interested in having staff join the training, please contact us at registrations@ascy.ca or call us at
905-574-6017 to register.
You will receive an email from us to confirm your spot. Registering alone with your request is not a confirmation of participation.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS May 29, 2026

This opportunity is suited for those educators working in before and after school programs or with school aged children. This learning community provides a safe environment for critical inquiry where educators can share their successes and challenges,
co-construct knowledge, and reflect on their role as an educator and their engagement with children and families in the program. The dialogue will be guided by the experiences and interests of the group. Discussions will be relevant to the trends in school age programs such as self-regulation, relationships, shared spaces, programming, environments etc.

Facilitated by: Nicole Colterman & Diane Medeiros

This community of practice will explore the possibilities of embracing outdoor environments while inviting nature into our indoor spaces. Engage in this new and dynamic CoP which will provide opportunities to network with our community by offering some of our sessions at locations that will inspire and ignite our passions for the outdoors.

This learning opportunity has been created with educators in mind who want to further explore and invite these concepts into their environments and teaching practices. We will also investigate the benefits of using Horticultural Therapy with young children.

Location: TBD