The Council of the College of Early Childhood Educators meets four times a year to oversee College activities in regulating the profession in the public interest.
Here are highlights from the March 24th meeting:
In the spotlight
- Due to COVID-19 precautions, Council held its first-ever, full-day meeting via Zoom.
- College staff are now working remotely; core operations are running as usual with some modifications to processes.
- With the College now fully remote, Council approved bylaw changes to ensure that all notices can be sent to members via email.
- Council discussed the impact of the current situation on RECEs, noting concerns regarding working conditions, loss of income and lack of clear information. They also discussed impacts on employers and post-secondary programs, and agreed on the importance of working collaboratively with all stakeholders. Council approved actions to help address the impact of the pandemic on members, including:
- Supporting members to retain their registration in good standing to be ready to return to work at the end of closures; and,
- Exploring ways to support members in the renewal process who are facing financial hardship
- Recognizing the current situation and disruption to members’ professional and personal lives, Council approved a voluntary Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) exemption for one year. Members will still be encouraged to do CPL, but any member wishing to claim a one-year exemption from the formal process and reporting requirements may do so.
Good to know
- Guest attendee, Shannon Fuller, Assistant Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Education, joined the meeting to deliver an update on plans to provide emergency child care, which are now in operation. Emergency care is for children of healthcare providers and other frontline workers, noting the critical importance of the profession in supporting children and families in Ontario. She also emphasized the importance of having appropriate safeguards in place. Shannon thanked the College for its continued willingness to collaborate.
- The Executive Leadership Team (ELT) reported on the activities under the College’s strategic plan. ELT provided updates in the areas of entry to practice, continuing competence, professional regulation, governance and communications. ELT noted that the current situation will likely result in the deferral of some planned activities that are not legislated to be completed.
- Deanna Williams, the governance review consultant hired by the College, joined the Council meeting to provide an update on her activities. She discussed best practices identified in Ontario and other jurisdictions, including smaller Council sizes and competency-based appointment processes. Deanna’s initial report will be presented to the Executive Committee in May for feedback before being presented to Council.
- Council elected Ann Robichaud-Gagné to fill a vacancy on the Executive Committee for a public member of Council, and thanked Lori Huston, elected member of Council for District 1, whose term will be expiring.
- April 15th: voting closes for elections in Districts 1, 2 and 6.
