Westcoast Wave Newsletter - February 2026
Read on for a vibrant mix of learning opportunities, community celebrations, and family centred resources across Westcoast in our February Westcoast Wave Newsletter!
The World of Child Care
News & Articles
The world of child care and early childhood education is always changing, especially here in BC. We regularly gather articles, opinions and information to share. We hope you’ll find it interesting and valuable, whether you’re a parent, guardian, service provider or student. We encourage you to join the conversation with your own observations, news and questions.
A Year with the BC Early Learning Framework - Article by Maryam Naddaf
A Year with the BC Early Learning Framework is a transformative professional learning series created by Maryam Naddaf to help educators deeply engage with BCELF principles. Through year-long workshops blending reflection, dialogue, and real-life practice, participants shifted from seeing BCELF as a “resource” to embracing it as a living tool for change. The series fostered confidence, collaboration, and innovative practices across BC communities.
BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast Season 5, Episode 3:
Welcome to Season 5 Episode 3 of our BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast!
During this episode we explore the BC Early Years Professional Development Bursary Program—what it is, why it matters, and how it’s shaping educators' learning across the province of British Columbia, in Canada. Our guests are two impactful leaders—Kathreen Riel, who manages the bursary fund, and Maryam Naddaf, Director of Frog Hollow’s Reggio-Inspired Learning Centre.
Listen now at BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast Season 5, Episode 3: Kathreen Riel & Maryam Naddaf or wherever you get your podcasts.
BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast Season 5, Episode 2: Gabriela Cervantes
Welcome to Season 5 Episode 2 of our BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast!
During this episode we're excited to kick things off with a special guest who has dedicated much of her career to advocating for the rights and well-being of children and families, especially those from equity-seeking communities. We were honoured to spend time with Gabriela Cervantes, a public policy, and advocacy specialist with OXFAM Canadaand The Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC.
Listen now at BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast Season 5, Episode 2: Gabriela Cervantes or wherever you get your podcasts.
From Isolation to Inspiration: The Transformative Power of Communities of Practice in Early Childhood Education
Check out an article written by Kathreen Riel, the project manager of the ECE Professional Development Bursary Program.
In this article, Kathreen explores how communities of practice are transforming professional development for early childhood educators in British Columbia. Rather than focusing solely on improving outcomes, these communities offer spaces for connection, reflection, and personal growth.
BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast Season 5, Episode 1: Sharon Gregson
Welcome to Season 5 Episode 1 of our BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast!
We’re kicking things off with a powerful conversation featuring longtime advocate Sharon Gregson. Sharon, spokesperson for the $10aDay Campaign, returns to share exciting updates from the Coalition of Child Care Advocates and ECEBC as they relaunch their push for universal, affordable, high-quality child care in BC.
Tune in to hear about the campaign’s renewed momentum and why this moment is so critical for children, families, and the future of child care in our province.
Listen now at BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast Season 5, Episode 1: Sharon Gregson or wherever you get your podcasts.
BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast Season 4, Episode 7: Bridgitte Alomes & Rory Richards
Tune in to Episode 7 in Season 4 of our BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast. In this inspiring live episode, recorded at the ECEBC Conference in Richmond, we return for Part Two of our conversation with Bridgitte Alomes of Natural Pod and Rory Richards of NUQO Modular.
Together, we explore how their powerful collaboration is addressing the urgent need for high-quality, sustainable, and community-rooted child care spaces—especially in underserved communities. Building on our first conversation, we dive into the real-world lessons, challenges, and momentum that have emerged as their work evolves.
Listen now!