Staff Capacity Building

Low or No-cost Strategies to Acknowledge and Reward Staff

Take an audit of your day or week… how are you showing your CNC team that you appreciate them? It's so important to provide consistent appreciation and acknowledgment of the meaningful and challenging work our CNC staff do each day. Whether things are challenging, or the program is running smoothly, caregivers need to feel appreciated! Here's a collection of low- or no-cost, actionable strategies that we can use to help staff find their inner motivation again and decrease burnout and turnover.

Have You Considered Apprenticeship as a Path to an ECE Diploma?

The Child Development Practitioner (CDP) Apprenticeship program is designed for people in Ontario who are already working in the field of Early Childhood (ECE).  Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship program, you can earn a CDP Certificate of Apprenticeship and take additional courses to obtain an ECE diploma before registering with the College of ECE. It’s a great opportunity for some of our experienced CNC staff in Ontario to get accredited!


CMAS Webinar: Happiness @ Work

Did you know that 50% of our happiness is determined by our genes, 10% by our environment but that 40% is determined by our actions or attitude? The science of positive psychology or human flourishing suggests hundreds of simple ways to increase our happiness and well-being. In this CNC webinar, positive psychology practitioner, Patrice Palmer joins us to talk about different kinds of happiness, and what we can do each day to positively impact everyone around us!


CMAS Webinar: Happiness @ Work

Did you know that 50% of our happiness is determined by our genes, 10% by our environment but that 40% is determined by our actions or attitude? The science of positive psychology or human flourishing suggests hundreds of simple interventions (e.g. like random acts of kindness; expressing gratitude) that we can apply daily to increase our happiness and well-being.

Researchers have been studying happiness in the workplace for more than 20 years and have learned that employees who have found a way to have meaning and purpose, use their strengths, are highly engaged and have good relationships with their colleagues are happiest.

In this CNC webinar, positive psychology practitioner, Patrice Palmer joins us to talk about different kinds of happiness, and concrete examples of simple things we can do each day to positively impact everyone around us!

Presenter: Patrice PalmerPatrice Palmer, M.Ed., M.A. has more than 20 years of experience as an ESL teacher and trainer in Canada and spent 7 amazing years in Hong Kong.  She has certificates in Positive Psychology and Positive Education from Wilfrid Laurier University, and now teaches in those programs.  Patrice is a Certified Mindfulness Facilitator and Registered Yoga Teacher.  She is the author of The Teacher Self-Care Manual and is a fierce advocate for student, teacher and all school staff well-being.


Professional Development: Self-Care in the Context of 2021

COVID IMAGEStrengthening self-awareness to reduce burnout in times of stress and uncertainty (Self-Care) is a keynote address focusing on the need for self-awareness and self-care in 2020. Now more than ever we need to access our sources of resilience, strength and grounding. Participants will be introduced to the concept of burnout and learn about the Zones of Self-Awareness to detect when their stress response systems have been activated. Several sources of resilience will be explored for strengthening or building self-regulation and grounding in times of stress.


CMAS Webinar: Resolving Conflict at Work with Karen Minty

Do you know how different personality styles behave under stress? How does your team resolve conflict under stressful situations? Karen Minty explains the basic needs of each personality style, and appropriate strategies to deal with difficult behaviour to quickly diffuse situations and prevent further conflict in this Resolving Conflict at Work webinar.


A Case for Self-Care

Caregivers need down time to re-energize, refuel and regroup. In this article, experts share suggestions and ideas for making self-care part of your usual routine - so that you can be better rested and ready to support the children in your care! 


Feeling anxious? These tips from two mental health experts might help

As many of you have made or are about to make the transition back into the CNC program, you may be experiencing stress or anxiety. Here are some tips and strategies to help you “find your calm” so that you're able to keep supporting the children in your care.


Early Childhood Staff Evaluations The Fun & Effective Way (with Template)

Whether you’re leading a CNC team or interested in your own professional growth, taking some time to evaluate progress is key to delivering quality programming to the children and families we serve. Change your thinking about staff evaluations to help your CNC team be the best they can be!

Preparing for Re-Opening: The Administrator’s Role in Taking Control When Things Seem Out of Control

This webinar is an opportunity to hear about concrete strategies that can be implemented with little to no cost and will help you whether your program is currently shuttered or operating under new and changing guidelines. A wide variety of vetted resources will also be shared with participants.