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Fostering Program and Family Connections

Creating opportunities and experiences that bring program staff and families together is very important. Discover how to create a welcoming, nurturing environment. Learn how to host family fun events, brainstorm interactive documentation opportunities and celebrate daily activities with open consistent communication

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The Reasons Why

Establishing Relationships
 

  • Open Houses

  • Orientations

  • Centre Tours

  • Community Events

  • Social Media

  • Word of Mouth

  • Community Connections

Welcoming Families to Our Programs
 

  • It is important that families always feel welcome in our programs

  •  From the moment first contact is made, to the initial meetings, daily conversations and even after a child has left the program

  • Ask parents what their expectations of the program are

  • Seeing Childhood as a Time of Family Connection

  • Each child born has their own values, dynamics, interests, customs, and traditions that are passed down from their family

  • These traditions and patterns will strongly influence the child, shaping and creating a sense of identity and belonging

  • No matter the family circumstance, all parents have hopes and dreams for their children

  • This is something that educators need to take to heart and keep in mind when communicating with families

How Are Children and Families Represented in the Space
 

  • Are children and their families represented in your program space in three different ways?

  • Think about how children’s artwork is displayed and curated

  •  Family photos, documentation and signage on each child’s cubby

  • How can we create a feeling of home away from home for children and families within our programs?

Daily Communication
 

  • Providing families with daily information is an important part of our job as Early Childhood Educators

  • Asking families important questions such as how was your child’s night and morning or taking the time to enquire about how a family’s weekend went are both great ways to open lines of communication and help us to understand a child or family in a more complete way

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Book an ECE Workshop

Are you interested in booking an Inspired ECE Workshop? Simply click the button below to schedule a workshop now.

ECE Workshops for Individuals

Inspired ECE understands that not everyone can participate in our professional development workshops as part of a group or team. We do our best to accommodate everyone’s needs. Periodically, we run ECE workshops for a group of individuals when we have enough interest.

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Julie Hansen, Early Childhood Educator, Consultant and Author

Julie Hansen

Early Childhood Educator, Consultant and Author

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I have been an Early Childhood Educator for 24 years, having received my Diploma in Early Childhood Education from Douglas College. Since then, I have gained experience in a variety of areas within the field of Early Childhood Education: Director of a preschool, supervisor of after-school care as well as 3-5 and Infant Toddler programs and centre management. My primary focus has evolved to encompass team leadership, management training and program development. I have had articles published in provincial and national ECE journals on the topic of emergent curriculum and leadership. My goal as an Early Childhood Educator and facilitator is to support fellow educators and early years professionals in providing high-quality early learning experiences for children and families.

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ECE Publications

Canadian Child Care Federation
Canadian Child Care Federation
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Urban Baby & Toddler Magazine
The Early Childhood Educator BC
The Early Childhood Educator BC
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Testimonials

Management and leadership courses offered by an Early Childhood Educator truly is a gift in this line of work. Julie Hansen’s insight and understanding of childcare and early learning dynamics developed my skills and confidence as a manager. Her ideas are innovative, thoughtful and easy to implement for myself and my team. I enjoyed my one to one coaching calls, team workshops and leadership series I have taken with Julie. I recommend her to any new or veteran ECE or ECE Manager.

JENN CARMAN
Manager
À:lmèlhàwtxw Early Education Centre - Stó:lō Service Agency

We were blown away by how amazing Julie's Skype workshop was! She is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about early childhood education.

JEN DIDORA
Assistant Director
Oakbank Kids Korner Co-op Inc.

I would recommend Julie Hansen, Inspired ECE to anyone in the Early Childhood Education field! Julie has been a positive influence in my life with all of her workshops and resources. Julie has so much knowledge of all of the areas of Early Childhood Education and quality early learning experiences. I always walk away with something new and many ideas to take back to my own programs after attending a workshop with Julie . I've also done a consultation with Julie regarding recruiting ECE's and she had so much advice to offer. Thanks to Julie's advice, I was able to hire not one but TWO Educators for my center. If you're looking for professional development opportunities and/or professional consulting, I highly recommend connecting with Julie! 

BRIANNA WINTERS

Owner/Operator
Early Childhood Educator
Colour My World Childcare

Thank you Julie for sharing your wisdom, time and resources with me.
I truly appreciate it.

LORRAINE SKELTON
Early Childhood Educator

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