Speaker:

Bruce Fuller, professor of education and public policy at the University of California, Berkeley, focuses on how the state advances policy within increasingly pluralistic societies. His new book, Standardized Childhood (Stanford), explores this question via the case of universal preschool, a rising movement in the U.S. that has gained many proponents, from Hillary Clinton to Hollywood activist Rob Reiner. Fuller's earlier books include, Inside Charter Schools (Harvard) and Government Confronts Culture (Taylor & Francis).

Over 25 years — inside policy organizations and the university — Fuller has explored how public initiatives attempt to advance children's learning and development. Much of his work examines the origins and practical features of educational and family policies. Fuller's empirical work also focuses on local organizations in terms of how schools, child care organizations, and families respond to recurring waves of policy reform aimed at changing the behavior of residents found inside. One major effort, the "Growing Up in Poverty" project, is a seven-year project to learn how the devolution of welfare is shaping young children's lives, especially via preschool and child care organizations where these youngsters are increasingly being raised.

Please note that seating is limited to 50 participants.

Conference Description:

All children have the right to opportunities for realizing their full potential. Some children by nature of individual, family, or community circumstances are more vulnerable and will need extra support in achieving this. In order for these supports to be most effective, we must look through the eyes of the child. We must integrate our knowledge of the principles of child and family development with research and innovative practice. Special attention will be given to children in care and children with disabilities.

Conference Objectives:

This conference will provide opportunities to learn about new research and evolving practice relating to:

- child care
- developmental disabilities
- parenting
- child development
- diversity
- policy/politics
- children at risk
- inclusion
- professional challenges
- children in care
- infant & child mental health
- transitions

Description:

This international conference will address the risks and opportunities associated with mixed economies of public, private and voluntary childcare and early education. It provides a forum for policymakers, childcare business leaders, public and voluntary sector childcare managers, private equity firms and academics to exchange knowledge, ideas and experiences concerning this highly topical subject from a variety of national and international contexts.

At this conference, Stephen Timms MP, Minister of State for Competitiveness at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform will launch a new research centre, the International Centre for the Study of the Mixed Economy of Childcare, ICMEC. Based in the School of Education at the University of East London, the Centre is led by Professor Helen Penn and Eva Lloyd.

Description:

There is a general consensus across society that good early learning and child care (ELCC) environments are good for children.

In addition, the provision of early learning and child care allows parents, particularly women, to work and access training and education, increasing the chances that they will be able to support their families and avoid poverty.

However, there is still considerable debate about how best to plan, fund and deliver quality ELCC.

What should the role of the state be in ensuring that children have access to high quality early learning and child care? What other supports do families need to raise their children well? What are the international trends in governance, funding, access, infrastructure, and pedagogical approaches? What should Canada - including Ontario and municipalities - do?

Come out and hear what a roundtable of experts has to say about these and other early learning and child care questions.

Roundtable:

- Rianne Mahon, Director, Institute of Political Economy, School of Public Policy and Administration, Carelton University
- Michael Krashinsky, Professor of Economics; Chair, Department of Management, University of Toronto at Scarborough
- Shawn Tupper, Director General, Social Policy Development, Social Development Canada
- Martha Friendly, Coordinator, Childcare Resource and Research Unit

Moderated by:

- Brenda Patterson, General Manager, Children's Services, City of Toronto

In a unique word and song presentation, Raffi will share his philosophy of "Child Honouring," a children-first paradigm for humane and sustainable communities - a compassionate revolution in values.

Drawing on the just-published anthology Child Honouring: How to Turn This World Around (co-edited by Sharna Olfman, foreword by the Dalai Lama), Raffi will stress that the primacy of the early years is key to building developmental health, emotional intelligence, and vibrant communities. Addressing the major issues of our time, Child Honouring is an organizing principle for peacemaking cultures.

Raffi's presentation will also include songs from his new CD Resisto Dancing: Songs of Compassionate Revolution — an uncompromising musical call to action.

Special Guests (anthology contributors):
Mary Gordon - Author, Founder of Roots of Empathy
Stuart Shanker - D.Phil, Distinguished Research Professor of Philosophy and Psychology

The RBC Chair in Public and Economic Policy and the RBC Chair in Applied Social Work Research in association with the School of Public Policy and Governance present Securing the Future of our Children.

Featuring:

- Society's Role in the Optimal Development of Children
A keynote address by the the Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain

Seminar Topics Include:

- The Effects of Non Parental Care: Evidence from Two Recent Policy Innovations
Michael Baker, RBC Chair in Public and Economic Policy, Department of Economics Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Toronto

- Keeping Our Children Safe: Protecting Them from Cyber Abuse
Faye Mishna, McCain Chair in Child and Family, Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto

- Linking Policy Research and Policy Outcomes: The Early Learning and Child Care Policy Community and Its Impact on Policy Making
Linda White, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Toronto

- Child Care Centre Quality: What Counts and How Do We Count It?
Michal Perlman, Department of Human Development and Applied Psychology, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto

Event is free and open to the public but advance registration is required as seating is limited.

Celebrate and learn from research, effective practices, action and partnerships at this two-day early years conference organized by The Learning Partnership

Speakers include:

- David Booth, Professor Emeritus, Scholar in Residence, OISE/UT – address "Negotiating What Home, School and the Community can do to Support Children's Learning"
- Dr. Michael Ungar, Professor, Dalhousie University – "Children's Pathways to Resilience Across Cultures"
- Dr. Sheela Basrur, Ontario Medical Officer of Health – "The Health of Ontario's Children"
- Dr. Fraser Mustard, The Founders' Network, Chairman Emeritus, Council for Early Child Development
- Terrellyn Feam, Author, Sense of Belonging Manual - "Building Strength-Based Approaches with Aboriginal Children"
- Dr. Ginette Dionne, Professor, University of Laval –" Early Language Development: Causes and outcomes based on a longitudinal study of twins"

The Learning Partnership's "Progress Report on Pre-school Age Children's Learning and Readiness for School" will be released, presented and reflected upon.
Authors: Martha Friendly - others to be confirmed

On a beaucoup débattu récemment de l'impact des politiques familiales sur les rapports parents/enfants, sur les rapports mères/pères, ainsi que sur leurs conséquences sur le bien être des enfants. Le débat s'est récemment centré sur la création des centres de la petite enfance (CPE), dont on a remis en cause la pertinence pour les jeunes enfants et dont on a questionné la qualité. Mais ce débat public a aussi touché le rôle des mères, tout particulièrement le travail féminin après la naissance d'un enfant, il a interpellé les pères que l'on dit encore trop absents des responsabilités parentales, sans mentionner le fait que de manière plus globale, on s'est questionné sur le rôle de l'État en matière de vie privée et de vie familiale.

Conformément au mandat du CDRFQ, ce colloque, qui réunira des intervenants et des gens de réflexion, vise à faire le point sur ces questions, à partir d'un débat éclairé par les recherches les plus récentes, dans une perspective tant nationale qu'internationale. Le colloque cherchera à dépasser le simple énoncé d'opinion, pour se concentrer sur le bilan qu'offre la recherche sur ces questions, de manière à pouvoir en tirer des pistes de réflexion et d'action.

The Nova Scotia Child Care Community and its supporters is pleased to host the 2007 National Child Care Conference, Set Sail for Quality on an Ocean of Caring, in Halifax, NS, June 15-17, 2007. The conference is presented by the
Canadian Child Care Federation and its Nova Scotia affiliates - the Certification Council of Early Childhood Educators of NS, the NS Child Care Association, and in sponsorship with Child Care Connection Nova Scotia, le
Centre provincial des ressources préscolaires, the Centre for Excellence in Early Child Development, The Knowledge Centre on Early Child Development and the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services.

The goals of the conference are:

- To explore new and innovative approaches to enrich the quality of our ELCC programs;
- To expand and extend our dialogue on quality in ELCC; and
- To celebrate and learn for each other

Confirmed speakers include John Bennett, Peter Moss, Judith Bernhard, Margaret Carr, Alan Pence, and Richard Tremblay.

REACH (an interdisciplinary group of investigators, including faculty, research associates, and graduate students, based at the University of Victoria and in the community) is pleased to announce an open Institute.

This two-day Institute features some of the most creative and innovative thinkers currently working internationally in early childhood education and care pedagogy. They bring a broad range of experience from around the world in the areas of practice, training, and professional development.

The Institute will consist of a series of panel discussions from the presenters, and the choice of one specialized workshop led by the presenters.

Presenters include:

- Dr. Gunilla Dalhberg, Stockholm Institute of Education
- Dr. Patrick Hughes, Deakin University, Victoria, Australia
- Ms. Wendy Lee, Director of the Educational Leadership Project
- Dr. Glenda Mac Naughton, University of Melbourne
- Dr. Beth Blue Swadener, Arizona State University

There is no charge to attend this Institute, but registration is required.