ECEBC News
2025 ECEBC Conference - Kamloops
Published: March 5th, 2025
ECEBC invites you to attend our 54th Annual Conference Honouring our Roots and Nourishing our Connections May 9th & 10th, 2025 in Kamloops, BC.
We're in 2 locations this year with a conference in Richmond, BC from May 8th to 10th!
ECEBC is honoured to be in relation with the unceded traditional lands of the Coast Salish Peoples, specifically the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nations. We acknowledge the Urban First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in communities. Many nations across the province collaborate in our shared work of supporting children, families, educators and communities and we thank them for this continued relationship.
Category:
54th Annual ECEBC Conference May 8th to 10th, 2025
Honouring our Roots and Nourishing our Connections
ECEBC's annual conference is a 3 day in-person conference this year in Richmond, BC from Thursday May 8th to Saturday May 10th. Join us for all 3 days or choose a combination that best suits your schedule. All conference guests are invited to attend the awards gala Friday evening. Find out more about the conference schedule below and in the 2025 conference guide. If you have any questions regarding the conference please contact sonia@ecebc.ca.
ECEBC recognizes our obligations to ensure our work is infused and activated 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
- Métis Nation Early Learning Framework
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action
- United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
It’s with extreme gratitude that we welcome each and every one of you to explore the ECEBC conference brochure. You will find the conference committee has listened to you and has brought many worthwhile and engaging opportunities to further your professional development.
We are grateful for the support from the Westcoast Professional Development Bursary Fund as we are able to offer our ECEBC membership a significantly reduced conference rate. Not a member? Sign up today!
Conference Schedule, Presenters & Pricing
Please view the conference schedule below along with the pricing sheet. For more information on the individual workshops please see the 2025 conference guide or view the details of the specific day on the ECEBC Conference Registration page.
We are thankful to have another wonderful set of presenters for the 54th annual ECEBC conference!
Day 1: Friday May 9th, 2025
8:00am to 5:00pm + the Evening Gala
Check in at the registration desk and check out this years exhibitors!
The breakfast buffet opens at 8:00am
Welcome to the Kamloops conference! We will meet from 9:00am to 10:00am.
Join our Friday morning keynote and Q&A with Laura Coulman a full-time professor of early learning program development at Conestoga College in Ontario from 10:00am to 11:00am.
Find out more about Laura on the presenter's page.
Join us for a networking opportunity from 11:00am to 11:30am
Reimagining Inclusion in Early Childhood Education
The Early Childhood Educators of BC (ECEBC) invites you to a thought-provoking panel discussion on the urgent need for inclusion and equity in early childhood education.
A buffet lunch will be available between 12:30pm and 1:30pm
Join us for a networking opportunity from 1:30pm to 2:00pm.
Session A breakout workshops are on from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Enjoy your selected workshop!
Workshop Options:
- A1: Designing Play-Based and Inquiry-Focused Before and After-School Programs Through Professional Learning Communities
- A2: Rethinking retention: Unpacking challenges and opportunities for the field
- A3: Building connections
- A4: How shaping learning environments, shapes learning
- A5: Partnering with Families
Awards Gala
Fri. May 9th 6:00pm
All conference attendees are invited to join us for the Awards Gala. Please ensure you check off that you will be attending on your registration.
Day 2: Saturday May 10th, 2025
8:00am to 4:00pm
Welcome back, we're happy you could join us this Saturday! Check in at the registration desk and view this years exhibitors!
The breakfast buffet opens at 8:00am
Opening remarks to kick off the beginning of the second day will begin at 8:45am!
This morning's keynote is with Jared Qwustenuxun Williams a passionate Indigenous Foods educator, who had the privilege of spending much of his youth with his late grandmother, immersed in Salish culture. Find out more in the presenter's page.
Join us for a quick networking opportunity from 10:00am to 10:15am.
Session B breakout workshops are on from 10:15am to 12:15pm. Enjoy your selected workshop!
Workshop Options:
- B1: Brain Architecture
- B2: Story Stones
- B3: Power of Indigenous Foods
- B4: Queering circle time: Research-based lesson planning with LGBTQ+ picture books
- B5: Getting children outside!
- B6: The Pedagogy of Tea: How the Learning Outside Together Project Taught us About Learning from (and with) the Land.
A lunch buffet will be available again from 12:30 to 1:15pm.
Session C breakout workshops are on from 1:15pm to 3:15pm. Enjoy your selected workshop!
Workshop Options:
Please see the conference brochure or the registration details page for more information on each workshop.
- C1: Flexible Child Care Project - $10aDay
- C2: Encouraging Early Childhood Educators to Implement Creative Activities Aligned with AEPS-3
- C3: Pathways of Truth
- C4: Thinking together in curriculum-making: Commoning, co-labouring collaborations
- C5: Story Stones - Building Oral Language Skills
- C6: Filling Your Spaces: Smart Marketing Strategies for Childcare Professionals
Join us for the closing address with Shane Pointe.
*This will be a Live stream connecting you to the ECEBC Conference in Richmond.
Shane is from the Pointe family and is a proud member of the Musqueam and Coast Salish people. He is a highly respected Musqueam community member, ceremonial traditional speaker, and cultural educator. He provides protocol and ceremonial guidance for many cultural events – locally, nationally and internationally. Shane is a knowledge keeper for the First Nations Health Authority and sits on the Elder Council of the Aboriginal Head Start Association of BC.
Thank you for joining us for the 54th annual ECEBC conference!
Let’s Talk About Touching (LTAT)
Training Program
Fri. May 9th 8:45am to 4:45pm
Sat. May 10th 8:45am to 4:45pm
The Let’s Talk About Touching (LTAT) program empowers young children with body safety knowledge through six essential rules to reduce the risk of sexual abuse. Widely adopted in British Columbia since 1986, LTAT is designed for early learning settings and primary classrooms (Kindergarten to Grade 3).
The updated 3rd Edition integrates trauma-informed practices, inclusivity, and cultural sensitivity, aligning with the BC Early Learning Framework, Indigenous Early Learning and Childcare Framework, and the ECEBC Code of Ethics. Educators are encouraged to adapt the program to meet the diverse needs of children in their centres.
LTAT helps embed body safety into everyday moments, fostering meaningful connections and empowering children as active participants in their learning. This training will equip you to create safe, inclusive, and responsive environments while strengthening your connection with families and communities.
Registration Fee: $40.00
Facilitators
Cari Rawling is honored to live, work, and play on the traditional and unceded lands of the Lhtako Dene, also home to the North Cariboo Métis Association. She is a passionate Early Childhood Educator with extensive experience working with children and families, particularly in Indigenous and community-based settings. As the Provincial Coordinator for the Let's Talk About Touching (LTAT) program, Cari is dedicated to supporting educators in fostering safe, inclusive, and empowering environments for children. Her work is deeply rooted in the values of community, reciprocity, and advocacy. Cari is also a dedicated StrongStart educator, where she builds meaningful relationships and creates environments that inspire curiosity, belonging, and joy for young learners.
Lorisa Zazulak is honored to live, work, and play on the traditional unceded territories of the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc people, where she grew up and returned to in 2010 after traveling. Lorisa's journey with the Let's Talk About Touching (LTAT) program began in 2003 when, as a new Early Childhood Educator (ECE), she recognized its profound impact on empowering children with crucial knowledge. Inspired by its mission, she became a facilitator in 2004. Currently, Lorisa operates a daycare in downtown Kamloops, where she continues to advocate for child safety and empowerment through the LTAT program. Her dedication to early childhood education and commitment to community engagement reflect her deep-rooted passion for nurturing safe and supportive environments for children.