Summit Schedule

Meet our Speaker Line up + Topics!

Our 2026 lineup includes inspiring ECC-trained facilitators, renowned ECE leaders, and change agents from across the sector.

Sophie Rayner Grignon

ECE Coach & Facilitator at The Early Childhood Coach

From Tears to Trust: Easing Infant Transitions into Childcare

Are you looking for ways to make infant transitions smoother and more meaningful? Supporting Infant Transitions is a 1-hour interactive learning experience designed to help educators confidently guide babies through their first experiences in childcare. Together, we’ll explore the emotional and developmental stages infants go through during intake, how co-regulation and routines can support their sense of security, and strategies to engage families as partners in the process. You’ll gain practical ideas for managing separation, easing crying spells, and creating welcoming spaces that foster connection, while also honouring and celebrating the vital role infant educators play in each child’s journey.

Nathalie James

ECE Coach & Facilitator at The Early Childhood Coach

First Impressions Matter: Family Relationships for New Educators

New to the field or looking to strengthen your parent communication skills? This session will help early childhood educators feel more confident, prepared, and authentic when working with families. From creating a warm welcome at drop-off to navigating tricky conversations, you’ll learn practical strategies to build trust, include families in their child’s learning journey, and maintain professional boundaries with care. With real-world tips, reflective tools, and encouragement, this session is designed to turn every family interaction into a supportive partnership—because when educators and families work together, children thrive.

Shelby Secoura

ECE Coach & Facilitator, Outreach & Partnership Specialist at The Early Childhood Coach

Burn the Rulebook: Leading the Future of ECE

Leadership in early childhood education is shifting — and for good reason. Today’s educators crave connection, not just direction, and this workshop is designed for leaders ready to move beyond outdated management styles into a new era of collaboration, emotional intelligence, and team empowerment. Whether you’re guiding a small centre or overseeing multiple classrooms, you’ll gain fresh, practical strategies to engage your team, invite innovation, and build unity without hierarchy. With tools to release fear from leadership conversations and foster co-creation, trust, and shared responsibility, this session will help you step confidently into modern, inclusive leadership that feels human, hopeful, and rooted in growth.

Quaishanna Myers

Outreach & Partnership Specialist at The Early Childhood Coach

Educators Burn the Rulebook: Leading the Future of ECE

Leadership in early childhood education is changing, and this session helps leaders step into a more collaborative, emotionally intelligent, and empowering approach. Move beyond the traditional “boss” mentality to build a team culture grounded in trust, connection, and shared responsibility. You’ll learn practical strategies to engage your team, invite feedback, shift language for unity, and lead with confidence and compassion. This workshop is for leaders ready to create a human-centered, growth-focused approach that truly inspires and supports their educators.

Melissa Malcolm
Founder & HR Strategist of Malcolm HR

Building Capacity, Leading with Vision: Growth for ECE Leaders and Entrepreneurs

Join Anisha Angella and special guest Melissa for an inspiring fireside chat designed for early childhood supervisors, directors, and entrepreneurs who are ready to move beyond the day-to-day. In this conversation, Melissa will share her expertise as a fractional HR leader, guiding leaders to uncover gaps that hold organizations back, build organizational capacity, and foster sustainable growth. Together, Anisha and Melissa will explore how to balance vision with reality, handle tough workplace challenges with confidence, and create strategies that move teams and businesses forward.

This session will also focus on supporting ECE entrepreneurs, leaders & directors in building businesses rooted in growth, strategy, and sustainability. Whether you’re leading a childcare program, supervising staff, or expanding your business, this fireside chat will leave you with fresh insights, practical tools, and the inspiration to lead with clarity, courage, and vision.

Charlene Dinger

Founder & Creative Director of Kinisi Kids

Charlene is a Toronto-based dance educator with over 20 years of experience, trained in multiple styles and performing professionally across Canada and Europe. She is a certified yoga instructor and works from a trauma-informed, inclusive approach.

After co-founding Kinisi Dance Company in London, UK, and running toddler dance classes, she launched Kinisi Kids in 2023 to create a safe, welcoming space for parents, caregivers, and children to connect through movement and music.

Saira Remtulla

Founder & CEO of ConnectED Start

Saira is an Ontario-certified teacher with over 15 years of experience in early childhood education. She founded ConnectED Start to help children build strong foundations through meaningful connections with caregivers, educators, and each other.

Using music, movement, and play, Saira creates engaging, research-backed learning experiences and supports parents, caregivers, and educators with practical strategies to help children thrive.

Meet Our Sponsors

We're proud to partner with brands that believe in the power of early learning.

Quality Classrooms

Quality Classrooms is more than a store — they’re a trusted partner in creating vibrant and engaging learning spaces where students can truly thrive. With a deep understanding of the evolving needs of modern education, they offer a thoughtfully curated selection of durable and safe educational supplies designed to support both educators and learners. Their commitment goes beyond providing quality products; it’s about empowering teachers to build meaningful learning experiences. Backed by their Unbeatable Price Guarantee, Quality Classrooms ensures Canadian educators have affordable access to the tools and resources they need to make a lasting impact in the classroom.

Kinisi Kids

Kinisi Kids is dedicated to bringing families together through movement and music, offering interactive early years classes that support both children and their caregivers. Their Baby and Me Yoga and Baby and Me Dance programs provide a safe and nurturing space for mothers on maternity leave to reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous system, and build meaningful connections. For toddlers, their dance classes foster key developmental skills like rhythm, coordination, body awareness, socialisation, and gross motor development. These programs are also offered in early learning settings, including daycares and preschools. Passionate about creating safe, non-judgemental environments, Kinisi Kids inspires a love of movement from a young age, encouraging families to explore, connect, and grow together.

Real Food for Real Kids

Real Food for Real Kids (RFRK) is a childcare and school catering company serving nutritious and delicious meals across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. With over 20 years of experience, they are dedicated to helping children build positive, lasting relationships with real food. RFRK carefully designs menus using diverse, locally sourced ingredients while accommodating allergies and dietary needs, ensuring every meal is both flavourful and nourishing. More than just a catering service, they aim to foster a culture of healthy eating that supports children’s growth, well-being, and lifelong healthy habits.

Digital Childcare

Digital Childcare is a Canadian SaaS platform dedicated to empowering childcare providers and administrators with innovative tools that simplify and optimise childcare management. From registration and enrolment to policy tracking and attendance, the platform offers customizable digital forms that reduce paperwork while ensuring full compliance with the Ministry of Education’s standards. Designed to enhance productivity and save time, Digital Childcare streamlines processes and replaces outdated practices, providing solutions specifically tailored to the unique needs of the Canadian childcare sector.

Wintergreen Learning Materials

Since 1977, Wintergreen has been supporting childcare centres across Canada with innovative play-based materials and premium-quality furniture. From exclusive learning resources to GREENGUARD®-certified furniture lines with a lifetime guarantee, Wintergreen offers complete classroom solutions, including 3D design services, installation, and leasing options. With a unique selection you won’t find anywhere else in Canada and a hassle-free guarantee, Wintergreen is committed to helping centres create safe, engaging, and inspiring spaces for children to learn and grow.

Mabel's Labels

Mabel’s Labels is a Canadian company dedicated to helping parents, schools, and caregivers keep track of children’s belongings with high-quality, durable, and customizable labels. Founded over 22 years ago by four mothers in Hamilton, Ontario, the brand has grown into a trusted household name known for labels that are laundry, dishwasher, and microwave safe. Mabel’s Labels offers a wide range of products, including clothing labels, camp gear tags, allergy and medical alert labels, and school supplies, all designed to withstand daily use while remaining stylish and easy to personalise. Focused on making family life easier and more organized, Mabel’s Labels provides practical solutions that simplify day-to-day routines and ensure children’s belongings stay clearly identified, giving parents peace of mind.

 ConnectED Start

ConnectED Start supports caregivers and educators across Canada with engaging early childhood programs for children from birth to age four. Their play-based classes, featuring songs, movement, puppetry, and hands-on activities, foster strong connections and promote cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. They also offer professional training for educators, equipping them with strategies to nurture secure attachments and responsive interactions. ConnectED Start creates joyful, enriching experiences that help children thrive while empowering caregivers and educators to feel confident and inspired.