Focusing On What Matters

The Michigan Washtenaw County Early Childhood Director's Association (ECDA) is a professional organization for the directors, administrators, and leaders of early childhood programs. Our goals are to support directors, to serve as advocates of children's issues, and to provide resource and networking opportunities for early childhood professionals. The ECDA Steering Committee is composed of program directors and representatives from local organizations.

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Calendar

As a ECDA Member, you will have the opportunity to attend eight (8) talks on relevant early childhood education topics as well as network with your peers and be a part of the local early childhood community. Membership is required to attend the talks/meetings below. Newly interested programs may attend one meeting for free before having to join to participate.


NOTE: For all meetings, doors open at 11:15 a.m., lunch is served by 11:30 a.m., and will begin the presentation promptly at Noon. We start with announcements and news and then the speaker will present. Meetings end at 2:00 p.m.

NEW for 2024-25: We will now be entering the training into MiRegistry for 2.5 hours as 11:30 a.m. to Noon is spent collaborating, connecting, and networking and is a crucial part of ECDA.

September 25, 2024

Help Me Grow/ Early On
Speaker: Courtney Gupta, Stephanie Mann, and Alicia Kruk

Learn about Help Me Grow and how it provides additional support to your child care providers and the families you care for. We will discuss when and how to connect to Help Me Grow as well as share our vision for supporting the early childhood sector across Michigan. We will also share how you can access free developmental screening and, if relevant, refer children in your care to Early On and Build Up.

October 23, 2024

Looking at Children Through a Sensory Lens
Speaker: Willow Therapy Staff

In this session, occupational and speech therapists from Willow Integrated Therapy will discuss ways to supporting all children using the targeted support strategies often used with the children in their work. They plan to talk about the sensory systems, how the sensory systems influence and impact skills, various sensory profiles/how to identify them, what adults can do to improve self-regulation in general, what strategies and techniques work for specific sensory subtypes previously defined.

November 13, 2024

Determining Effective Methods of Presentation to Engage All Adult Learners in Training Content
Speakers: Shannon Lockhart, HighScope

In this session, participants will examine their own content of training and how they currently present the information and engage their teachers. Participants will identify and connect their presentation content to a variety of types of methods of presentation that are active and engaging while incorporating opportunities for their teachers to process information and apply it to their own teaching practices.

January 22, 2025

Cultivating a Reflective Stance in ECE
Speaker: Alyssa Selasky, MAIMH

Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RS/C) in early childhood education settings is shown to help reduce stress for both children and adults, improve classroom culture, and foster stronger relationships between educators, teaching teams, children, and families. During this session we will dive into what Reflective Function is and how it supports infant/early childhood mental health, enhances adults' capacity to understand and respond to children's emotions, and supports educators' wellbeing. We will identify concrete strategies for using the reflective stance in the classroom, explore ways to bring reflective practice to your center, and practice wondering out loud together about our work with infants, young children, and their families.

February 26, 2025

*VIRTUAL* Neurodivergence & Sexuality in Early Childhood (and Beyond)
This session is virtual via Zoom due to historically extreme weather!
Speaker: Amy Lang

Learn more about Neurodivergent kids, what to expect, how to support them and when to get extra help. Neurodivergent children tend to express themselves in different ways, oftentimes they will blurt inappropriate things, and misunderstand social cues about bodies and boundaries.

March 19, 2025

Nature School
Maggie Fritz, University of Michigan, North Campus Children's Center

In this session, participants will learn more about outdoor and nature based early childhood education. We will explore the how and why to integrate seasonal learning and abundant outdoor play into your curriculum, including discussions on risky play, social emotional development and nature connection. We will also share resources on various ways to support educators and families with outdoor play.

April 16, 2025

Brain Architecture
Speakers: Beth MeLampy & Heidi McFadden, Gretchen's House

The Brain Architecture Game is a game about the powerful role of relationships on early brain development. Playing the game supports participants in gaining a deeper understanding of how genetics and life experiences impact brain development. The content looks closely at what we can do to build resilience and protective factors for children and families when they face adverse life experiences. Participants will discuss what this means for the young children in their care and plan for ways to support children and families in coping with trauma.

May 21, 2025

This or That? Refining your Coaching and Mentoring Hat
Speakers: Christine Snyder, University of Michigan

As early childhood educators and leaders, we wear a lot of hats! As a leader, supervisor, coach, expert, and mentor, the types of conversations and strategies you're using with your teams can cover a broad range of purposes and sometimes overlap or get a little blurry. In this session, we will distinguish between supervising and coaching and when to use each approach. We will practice concrete strategies for putting research-based coaching strategies in place as soon as tomorrow.

 

Registration

Registration and Membership are now available on MiRegistry!  Membership payment can be made via MiRegistry when you register for training, OR a check can be made payable to "CCN" and brought to the September meeting, OR mailed to:

Child Care Network
Attn: ECDA/ Candy Sorensen
3941 Research Park Dr., Suite C
Ann Arbor, MI  48108

Annual Membership Fee (September 2024 - May 2025): $75.00 *Multi-site programs pay $40 for each additional site
Monthly Training Fee: $30 (includes lunch, dessert, drink, and gratuity)


Meetings location:
Washtenaw Golf Club
2955 Packard Street
Ypsilanti, MI  48197

 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The trainings are intended for Directors, Administrators and Leaders of Early Childhood Programs.  Twice a year we offer a joint luncheon with WCAEYC that focuses more on teachers and day to day classroom support.

  • Out of respect for the speakers and participants, we strongly discourage you from bringing your child, the meetings are long and there are no "play areas" to help entertain them.  Exceptions can be made for in arms infants only with permission.  Please contact our current president Shannon Peitz, via email at shannon.peitz@gretchenshouse.com, if you have any further questions.

  • The training fee does include lunch, but you are welcome to come for just the training which begins at noon.  If you do plan on eating please arrive at 11:15AM.  There are gluten free and vegetarian options available.  You can request 'special dietary requests' when registering for the training.

  • We understand that the kids come first and we cannot always get away from our programs.  There is no need to contact anyone but unfortunately you are still required to pay for the training.  You can mail your payment to the treasurer or bring it with you to the next meeting.  If you chose to pay ahead for the whole year there will not be a refund if you stop attending the meetings.  You also have the option of sending someone in your place if you can't make it.

  • Yes, each participant will receive a certificate that includes their name, the topic of discussion, hours of training and date.

  • Yes, once your organization is a member you're welcome to bring as many people from your program as you would like.  Please register each person separately each month, the $20.00 fee applies to each person.

  • If you would like to join ECDA or become a part of the Steering Committee, please email us at contactus@wcecda.com.  You are welcome to attend one meeting without becoming a member.  The $30.00 training fee would still apply.

 

ECDA Steering Committee 2024-2025



Shannon Peitz
President

Gretchen's House • Dhu Varren

Tammie King
Vice President

WCSACCA Liaison
Bemis Farms Preschool & Childcare

Karin Nowak
Secretary & Public Policy

Gretchen's House • Oak Valley

Carrie Anderson
Treasurer & Past President

Morning Star Child Care

Patty Sherwood
Venue & Events

Adventure Center

Laura Griswold
SBS/QPP Liaison

Gretchen's House • Administration

Candy Sorensen
Membership & Communications

Child Care Network

Michelle Freund
Member at Large

UM North Campus

Chrissy McKiddie
Member at Large

Gretchen's House • Mt. Vernon

Shannon Steinbach
Member at Large

Gretchen's House • School-Age Coordinator

 

LEARN • GROW • ACHIEVE

Our goals are to support directors, to serve as advocates of children's issues, and to provide resource and networking opportunities for early childhood professionals.

Join us