AECENL is excited to share an important update! After thoughtful consideration, we are piloting a series of weekday Regional Professional Learning days in 2026. This shift reflects ongoing advancements in Early Learning and Child Care across the province. With many child care services and family child care providers now able to close for professional learning up to twice per year, offering AECENL’s Regional PL on a weekday means more teams can participate in a full day of free PL together.
Register here:
When and Where
St. John’s – Wednesday, April 29
Gander – Friday, May 1
Corner Brook – Monday, May 4
Labrador City – Friday, May 8
All PL days run from 8:30am-4:30pm and take place at local CNA campuses.
What this change supports
Increased team-building opportunities
Stronger regional networking
More space for early childhood educators, administrators, licensees, government consultants, and community partners to meet and learn together
We have heard from many participants over the years that weekday scheduling reduces barriers and makes it easier for entire teams to attend. We also recognize that this is not a one-size-fits-all opportunity, so for some, a weekend option will remain the ideal. AECENL remains committed to growing this essential in‑person learning opportunity and listening to the ECE community as we test and assess the success of a weekday vs weekend option.
Continuing Professional Learning Options
AECENL will continue to offer a wide range of PL opportunities in the evenings and weekends—both in-person and online, including:
Live Online Workshops each month on weeknights
Annual Provincial Conference on Saturday, October 3, 2026
Administrators
Family Child Care Providers
Early Childhood Educators
AECENL Members
AECENL also offers ongoing PL opportunities on demand, such as:
We Want to Hear from You!
If you have participated in Regional Professional Learning in the past or hope to attend for the first time and this shift impacts you—positively or negatively—we welcome your feedback. Your insights will help inform this pilot and guide future planning. Please feel free to share your thoughts through the following feedback form: Feedback Regional Professional Learning – Fill in form
For OGP Child Care Services
If your service participates in the Operating Grant Program and plans to register staff for one of the four provincial Regional Professional Learning days, please ensure families are notified of the close‑out day at least 30 days in advance, as required by OGP policy.
Want to know more about Regional Professional Learning?Read on!
What to Expect
AECENL news, announcements, certification & membership information
Networking and group discussion
Workshops
A 7 Hour PL (Professional Learning) certificate
Guest speakers and guided conversation
Agenda
Photography
AECENL would love to document and share this in-person event and highlight the ECEs working across our province. If you would prefer not to be in any photos shared on our social media platforms or in our newsletter, please let us know in advance.
Nutrition Breaks
We ask that participants bring their own food and drinks to this event. Participants will have a 15-minute break in the morning and afternoon, and an hour-long break for lunch.
Cancellation Guidelines for In-person Events
Have you registered for Regional Travel and are now unable to attend? Early Childhood Educators are hardworking, busy professionals with personal lives to balance in addition to professional learning goals. Sometimes we can’t do it all! If you have registered and can no longer attend, please cancel your seat through Eventbrite with as much notice as possible. As seats become available, they will be offered to those on the waitlist.
Bringing Children to Regional Travel
It is essential for ECEs to have a safe space to talk about the work they do with children, and sometimes that means children should not be present. Children under the age of nine months who are not yet walking are welcome to join their parent/caregiver.
Feedback
Your feedback is important! Each participant will have an opportunity to fill out an exit survey at the end of the day.
Registration
Advanced Registration for AECENL Members opens March 2nd.
General Registration opens March 3rd.
How to Register
Click Here to visit AECENL's Regional Professional Learning Collection on Eventbrite
Event registration is completed through Eventbrite. There are two registration options:
1. Registering as an Individual
Choose this option if you are booking one ticket in your own name.
2. Registering as a Regulated Child Care Service (Group Booking)
Choose this option if you are an administrator booking multiple tickets for your staff.
AECENL will follow-up with services that block‑book tickets to confirm the full list of attendees.
Waitlist Information
If all spaces are filled, both individuals and groups may join the waitlist.
AECENL will contact all ticket holders before the 30‑day mark to re-confirm their registration. If you plan to close your service for the day, please wait until your seats have been successfully booked through Eventbrite.
Advance Registration for AECENL Members
AECENL Members receive one‑day advance access to registration.
Individual Tickets: The person registering must be a current AECENL Member at the time of advanced registration and provide their membership number when prompted.
Group Bookings: At least one person in the group must be a current AECENL Member at the time of advanced registration and provide their membership number when prompted.
Support for Group Bookings
Group bookings for Regional Professional Learning is new and part of a pilot to support close‑out day participation.
Administrators who need assistance with group bookings can contact: plcoordinator@aecenl.ca
Spaces are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Guide to 30-day notice for families:
|
Session Location |
Session Date |
30‑Day Notice Cut‑Off Date |
|
St. John’s |
Monday, April 29 |
Saturday, March 30 |
|
Gander |
Friday, May 1 |
Tuesday, April 1 |
|
Corner Brook |
Monday, May 4 |
Friday, April 4 |
|
Labrador City |
Friday, May 8 |
Tuesday, April 8 |
*Please do not give notice to families of a close-out until your seats have been confirmed through Eventbrite.
