Yukon early childhood educators gather at the 2024 Early Learning and Child Care Conference

September 11, 2024

On September 9 and 10, over 350 Yukon early childhood educators and operators from across the territory gathered for the 2024 Early Learning and Child Care Conference hosted by the Government of Yukon at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre in Whitehorse.

The Government of Yukon is proud to support this conference as part of its ongoing commitment to high-quality early learning and child care that is affordable, accessible and inclusive. This year’s theme, Learn, Explore, and Grow Together, provided an opportunity for early learning and child care professionals’ ongoing professional development in both of Canada’s official languages.

Over the course of the two days, attendees from communities including Whitehorse, Dawson, Carmacks, Watson Lake, Mayo, Haines Junction, Teslin, Pelly Crossing, Burwash Landing, Faro, Ross Rivers and Carcross had the opportunity to deepen their knowledge, explore innovative practices and forge connections with peers in the field of early childhood education.

A series of workshops offered by local facilitators provided participants the opportunity to:

• exchange information and ideas on responsive care, learning through play, outdoor learning and more;
• integrate First Nations ways of knowing, doing and being;
• network, connect and build community;
• meet professionals in the fields of early learning and child care;
• learn about new trends, practices and studies; and
• gain practical skills through hands-on workshops.

A key highlight was guest speaker Dr. Jean Clinton, a distinguished clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University. Dr. Clinton previously served as an education advisor to Ontario’s Premier and Minister of Education.

Our government is dedicated to enhancing the future of our community by investing in early learning and child care. We recognize the critical role that high-quality early childhood education plays in shaping the development of our youngest Yukoners. Thank you to everyone who attended with such energy and enthusiasm. This gathering demonstrated the importance of providing a supportive environment to empower educators to share, learn and explore together.

Minister of Education Jeanie McLean

Early childhood educators are at the heart of our Canada-wide early learning and child care system. Every day, they work tirelessly to shape young minds, laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning, curiosity and kindness. Their unwavering dedication not only makes the world a better place for our children but also makes life easier for busy parents. I’m committed to working with provinces and territories to ensure this incredible workforce is supported, recognized, and fairly compensated, so they can continue to inspire and nurture the next generation.

Honourable Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Jeanna Sudds

Quick facts

• This conference was funded in part by the Government of Canada.
• This was the first in-person conference since COVID-19.
• A virtual option was provided to enable participants to join at their convenience.
• Dr. Jean Clinton is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University, Division of Child Psychiatry, in Ontario, Canada. From 2014 to 2018, she served as an education advisor to the Premier of Ontario and the Minister of Education. Dr. Clinton is a trainer in Dr. Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model in Education (NME).

Media contact

Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
laura.seeley@yukon.ca

Julie Ménard
Education Communications
867-336-0653
julie.menard@yukon.ca

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