More than 480 early childhood educators and child care experts gathered at the myFM Centre in Renfrew for a special County led presentation
The County of Renfrew dedicated some time ahead of the weekend to helping its deep roster of childcare experts.
Margo Smith, Manager of Child Care & Early Years Services for the County of Renfrew, says their 12th annual May Day conference drew in over 480 local professionals from across the Ottawa Valley to Renfrew’s myFM Centre on Friday, May 30th, with the goal of equipping them to better handle what can be difficult topics and situations faced on the job.
Smith says reception was positive as guest speakers gave keynote discussions on trauma-informed care and complex childhood trauma, a topic Smith says has been frequently requested, as well as self-care as a means to ensure their quality of work.
Director of Community Services Andrea Patrick says the county is already in the planning phase for next year as they get a pulse on what aspects of the Ottawa Valley’s early childhood educators’ jobs could use an expert voice lending some direction.
Both Patrick and Smith point out that this is the first time the conference was held in Renfrew, adding that the newly expanded arena space will allow them to continue growing the day and shift it annually between multiple locations, including its usual home inside the Petawawa Civic Centre.
(written by Kasey Egan)