Including All Children while Supporting Practice through Mentorship with Early Learning Resource Program

Our Mentoring Program is designed to support educators through meaningful, in-person connections and flexible learning opportunities. Grounded in the principles of How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years, the program recognizes that educators, like children, learn best through relationships, reflection, and responsive support.

This program provides individualized mentoring that meets educators where they are in their professional journey. Through in-person visits, collaborative conversations, and flexible supports, educators are encouraged to reflect on their practice, explore new ideas, and strengthen their understanding of children’s learning and development.

Mentoring focuses on building confidence, enhancing pedagogical practice, and deepening educators’ connection to the foundations of How Does Learning Happen?—belonging, well-being, engagement, and expression. By working alongside educators in their learning environments, mentors create opportunities for observation, dialogue, and shared problem-solving that are practical and responsive to the unique context of each program.

FOCUS

Mentorship Orientation (mentorship agreement, signing off on documents, go through handbook, self assessment, goals)Child Development (ELECT, HDLH)Mentor Log

Relationships (child-child, educator-child, educator-parent, educator-educator)Communication in Early Childhood environments Mentor log

Observations Invitations to Play (Cycle of Inquiry) Check In/Goals

Environmental Design (indoor/outdoor, materials, environment as the third teacher)Mentor Log

Thinking LensPedagogical Documentation Mentor log

Practice the full circle (observe-plan-invitation-document)Professionalism (CECE)Wrap Up or Plan for next 6 monthsFeedback Surveys

If you would like more information, please contact the Early Learning Coordinator at your program. They can provide you with the manual and answer any questions you may have about the mentoring program. In addition, we have a website that will be used for all participants to access for forms, articles, and resources. To access the site please go to: https://sites.google.com/view/mentorship-program-site/home. If you would like to sign up for this mentoring program, reach out to the coordinator who will meet with you to go over the program.