Hamilton-Wentworth Designated Early Childhood Educator Local

10/05/2026

Come join educators from across the province as we stand up to fight for public education! This is a family friendly event. Use the QR Code to register for the event. Busses will be available and you can sign up for the bus with the same QR Code! Elementary Educators

09/15/2026

09/15/2026

Reminder to wear RED or PURPLE tomorrow!!!! This is a province wide action. Take photos and send to ETFO through this form: https://form.jotform.com/262293803688266
Send photos to the local as well at [email protected]

06/04/2026

Hamilton-Wentworth DECE Members!!! Check your email for the June Social Justice and Equity newsletter to see how you can win this copy of Guinea Pigs Don't Wear Pants, written by Chris Paul Rainbows and purchased at King W. Books in Westdale!

06/01/2026

June is Pride Month!

To mark the start of Pride Month, our union the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) expresses solidarity with the 2SLGBTQ+ community and reaffirms its commitment to creating learning and working environments where 2SLGBTQ+ members, students, families, and allies feel safe, respected, and fully supported.

Amidst a social landscape where some politicians and voices in the media seek to normalize homophobia and transphobia, ETFO members from the 2SLGBTQ+ continue to support students and work in learning communities that may not always be safe for them. Pride and Solidarity represents our union’s continued commitment to advocating for members, students, and communities.

The erasure of 2SLGBTQ+ communities in jurisdictions across Canada through regressive policies and legislation continues to be deeply troubling. Every person deserves to feel valued, respected, and supported for who they are, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. ETFO is proud to engage in this work within communities throughout the year and to support all ETFO locals in doing the same.

06/01/2026

On June 1, we join with labour and social justice organizations from across Ontario to recognize Injured Workers’ Day. In thinking about the 1000s of workers who have died or been injured on the job, we renew our commitment to safety at work and demand action from employers and the government.

Workplace hazards can be anywhere! ETFO members learn more about health and safety and your workplace rights at etfohealthandsafety.ca

05/17/2026

On May 17, we mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, a global moment of solidarity and resistance for LGBTQIA+ communities.

There is no single way to show up and be an ally, but we need you to do your part!

Speak up. Speak out. Act.

Collective action, awareness, solidarity, and visibility are necessary to end hate, discrimination and isolation of LGBTQIA+ people around the world.

05/11/2026

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May 10th honours Jordan River Anderson and the promise of Jordan’s Principle: that First Nations children receive the products, supports and services they need, for health, education, and social well-being. In Ontario, stricter rules and backlogs are impacting children and their caregivers.

Spirit Bear represents the 165,000 First Nations children involved in the case at the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal. Educators can access free PDF books and teaching guides on the First Nations Child and Caring Society website to learn more and share Jordan’s story. Learn more about Jordan’s Principle and Spirit Bear by visiting the First Nations & Child and Family Caring Society https://fncaringsociety.com

05/07/2026

It's Education Week, and we want to recognize and applaud the incredible work of designated early childhood educators (DECE)!

For over 15 years, ETFO early childhood educators have transformed early learning in Ontario, and they continue to play a vital role in the public education system. Today, we honour the expertise, care, and countless contributions of our DECE members, who create inclusive, play-based classrooms that nurture every aspect of a child’s development.

05/07/2026

In a joint letter with the Ontario School Board Council of Unions () and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation ( ), we called on the Minister of Education to reaffirm its commitment to the play-based learning model in Ontario’s Kindergarten program and to recognize and strengthen the role of designated early childhood educators as experts in early learning.

We know and have witnessed the critical importance of play-based learning in the early years and the essential role of DECEs as pedagogical leaders within Ontario’s Kindergarten program.

Play-based learning is a foundational and evidence-based approach that supports the holistic development of young children. Decades of research demonstrate that younger learners learn best through exploration, inquiry, and meaningful engagement driven by their natural curiosity.

Through play, children develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, creativity and imagination, as well as the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive capacities necessary for long-term success.

Central to this approach is the professional expertise of DECEs. Their specialized knowledge of early childhood development supports the design of responsive, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate learning environments that honour children’s agency and support diverse learning needs. Working collaboratively with teachers, DECEs strengthen the overall quality and effectiveness of the Kindergarten program and are indispensable to its success.

While the 2026 Kindergarten Curriculum continues to reference play-based learning, it does not reflect the same depth of research, context, and pedagogical grounding found in earlier versions of the program. This approach risks diminishing the importance of play-based learning and may inadvertently undermine the integrity of Ontario’s early years framework. specialized and essential role that DECEs play in supporting children’s learning and wellbeing.

Ontario’s publicly funded education system has long been recognized for the strength of its early years programming. Maintaining this standard requires continued investment in, and commitment to, evidence-based practices and the professionals who deliver them.

We welcome the opportunity to work with the Minister to ensure that Ontario’s Kindergarten program continues to meet the developmental needs of all children.