Early Childhood Educators of BC
Standing Strong Together
Since 1969 ECEBC has worked to advance the quality and professionalism of early care and learning. As part of our ethical responsibility to the profession, we strategically commit our time and resources to educating the sector and community by, investigating, and promoting the development of strong public policies and best practices that are based in research and evidence.
Our Vision
The Early Childhood Educators of BC envisions a society where early childhood educators thrive in a supportive community that values childhood and education.
Our Mission
ECEBC represents the early childhood care and education profession throughout the province. We provide professional development opportunities, training, and resources for early childhood educators across the province. We support early childhood educators to inform the broader community about their work. We are dedicated to building respect for early childhood education and educators.
Obligations
ECEBC has key obligations that are infused and activated throughout our work. We are compelled to think deeply, listen with intention, and act ethically with commitments through the following lenses:
- BC Early Learning Framework
- Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
- ECEBC Code of Ethics
- Indigenous Early Learning and Childcare Framework
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action
- United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
A Message From The Chair - Violet Jessen
I begin the Chair’s message with a Land acknowledgement. ECEBC’s offices are located on the unceded traditional ancestral terrritories of the Coast Salish Peoples - Musquem, Squamish, and Tsleil-Watuth Nations. My parents arrived in Vancouver in the late 1950’s from Hong Kong after their families fled from Mainland China. I grew up in Vancouver encountering a school system where history lessons minimized or ignored the violence and cruelties that were dealt to the indigenous peoples. Colonial practices and laws and the establishment of residential schools by the governments of the day attempted to suppress and crush them. However, the Truth and Reconciliation Report and the Calls to Action compels us to act. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights for Indigenous Peoples compels us to act. The First Peoples Principles of Learning that is written in the BC Early Learning Framework compels us to act. As Early Childhood Educators, individually and together we can take responsibility for our decision-making and respond in ways that honor the original stewards of this land.
For half a century, the Early Childhood Educators of BC has been the voice of the profession. The world has changed in many ways and yet some things have remained the same. ECEBC been unwavering in its commitment in advancing the profession and practice of early childhood educators.
Today ECEBC represents nearly 1000 members and 19 provincial branches. We helped to develop the $10aDay Plan that is endorsed by hundreds of organizations and individuals. ECEBC thrives on challenges and while there are many priorities, I will describe three areas that we will be working on or have already begun initial steps.
We are committed to Truth and Reconciliation and the Calls to Action which begins with listening. In this endeavour we will seek concrete ways in which to collaborate with our sister organization BC Aboriginal Child Care Society on how we can indigenize our policies both at the operational and governance levels. Listening is not easy. Genuine, honest continual engagement is crucial.
We have draft position statements that are in progress and will be shared with membership for feedback and comments. One position statement focusses on the conditions needed to successfully move early childhood education into the Ministry of Education. Subsequent position papers will attend to the image of the Early Childhood Educator, professional standards, competencies and practice. Our hope is that these positions papers will promote dialogue and transform how early childhood is viewed by the broader society.
We will support members with the newly expanded ECEBC Code of Ethics and associated training so that early childhood educators can strengthen practice in ways that will be relevant and authentic in a complex world. We will be able to turn to our Code of Ethics to help inform and shape our practice in relationships we have with children, families, colleagues and our communities.
In closing, I would like to thank our members, both long-time and new who have made ECEBC their professional home. I would also like to thank Emily Gawlick, our executive director, the staff and the Board of Directors for their extraordinary dedication. As the Chair of ECEBC, I am inspired by them and humbled to be a part of such a great organization that is well-positioned to move forward in this post-pandemic world.
Important Documents
Click on the PDF's below to download and view or print the following documents:
In November 2017, the membership voted to approve updates to our Constitution and By-Laws. These are posted for your information. Thank you for your interest.
Clarifying The Scope Of Work of ECEBC: ECEBC will strive to articulate positions that can sometimes be controversial however these positions will always be consistent with the organization’s mission and vision.
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