Early Learning Unboxed

Connection changes everything. Join Dr. Jody Carrington for an energizing day on resilience, relationships, and feeling seen.

This year’s conference is designed as a powerful multi-day experience centered on connection, resilience, and the relationships that shape the lives of children.

Pre-Conference Study Tour – Bella Vita & Elowyn (Lunch Included)

We are thrilled to once again offer an exclusive pre-conference study tour at our Bella Vita and Elowyn locations.

This intimate experience is designed for educators who want to see practice in action. Participants will visit multiple classrooms, explore thoughtfully designed learning environments, and engage with educators about pedagogy, relationships, and the daily rhythms of meaningful early learning work.

Following the tours, participants will gather for a facilitated conversation and reflective dialogue over lunch (included). This is an opportunity to ask questions, think critically together, and deepen understanding in a collaborative setting.

Space is limited in order to preserve the depth and quality of the experience.

Day One – Professional Learning Conference (Light breakfast, snack, lunch, coffee/tea, resource bag & a copy of Dr. Jodys most recent book included)

Our full-day conference experience is designed specifically for educators and those working within early learning communities.

The day will include opportunities to connect with colleagues and community partners, followed by multiple sessions with Dr. Jody Carrington across the day. Rather than a single keynote, this experience allows space for deeper exploration, reflection, and engagement with her ideas.

Participants can expect:

• Insight into the power of connection in the lives of children and the adults who support them
• Research-informed perspectives grounded in Dr. Jody’s twenty years of psychological practice
• Honest conversation about the complexity of supporting children, families, and teams
• Practical reflections that can be carried back into classrooms, homes, and workplaces
• Moments of humour, energy, and real talk

The day is intentionally designed to allow space for nourishment, conversation, and integration — not just content consumption.

Day Two – Community Brunch & Learn (Brunch, coffee/tea, resource bag & a copy of Dr. Jodys most recent book included)

Our second day opens the experience to the broader community.

This brunch and learn session features a 90-minute presentation with Dr. Jody Carrington, created for anyone involved in the lives of children — educators, parents, caregivers, support staff, community members, and leaders.

In this accessible and energizing session, Dr. Jody will speak to the importance of reconnection in a disconnected world, offering insight and encouragement for the hard and meaningful work of raising and supporting children.

Whether you join us for the study tour, the professional conference, the community brunch — or the full experience — this gathering is an opportunity to pause, reconnect, and remember that none of us were meant to do this work alone.

This initiative is funded through the Canada-British Columbia Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia, in partnership with the Westcoast Family Centres (Westcoast), formerly Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre, the agency responsible for administering the funds.