The Forgotten ECE

What happens when an educator is told they’re not coming back?

For many teachers and educators, non-renewal can bring embarrassment, self-doubt, anger, and the feeling that maybe they were never good enough in the first place. But what if the bigger story is about mentorship, leadership, workplace culture, power, and whether educators are actually being given a fair chance to succeed?

In this episode, Jamie sits down with Stephanie Panico, a classroom teacher of 15 years, certified mentor, and founder of Teach 4 Underdogs. Stephanie shares her own experience with multiple non-renewals early in her career, how those experiences shaped her work, and why she now supports educators navigating job loss, professional identity, workplace politics, and the road back to confidence.

Together, Jamie and Stephanie talk about what real mentorship looks like, how educators can recognize when they are unsupported, why workplace dynamics matter more than many people realize, and what leaders need to consider before deciding an educator simply “isn’t a fit.”

This conversation is for anyone who has ever questioned whether they belong in education — and for the leaders responsible for making sure good educators have a real opportunity to grow.

🍂 September is here — and before and after school programs are officially back in action.

And if your first week included missing belongings, transportation confusion, tired kindergarteners, changing schedules, new faces, and at least one moment where you wondered what day it was… welcome back, friends.

In September Hits Different, Jamie explores why the beginning of the school year deserves more than a new program plan and a freshly laminated set of rules.

September is a transition for everyone — children, families, educators, teachers, and programs — and how we approach these first few weeks can shape the relationships we build for the rest of the year.

In this episode:

🍁 Lead with curiosity. Before correcting behaviour or making assumptions about a child, get curious about what might be underneath it.

🎒 Remember how BIG September feels to children. For children entering kindergarten especially, virtually everything about their day may have changed. Sometimes what looks like “behaviour” is a child navigating an enormous transition.

✨ Look for micro moments. Relationship building doesn't always happen during some beautifully planned activity. It happens when you remember the soccer tryout. Ask about their dog. Sit beside them while they draw. Laugh at their joke. Notice when something feels different.

👀 Get to know the children before planning for the children. Their interests, personalities, strengths, quirks, needs, friendships and ideas should help shape the program. September is your opportunity to listen and observe.

💛 Find one genuinely good thing about every child. Especially the child you're finding difficult to connect with.

👨‍👩‍👧 Reconnect with families. A thirty-second conversation at pickup can matter more than we realize — particularly for families adjusting to having far less information about their child's school day.

🏫 Start fresh with school partners. Last year was last year. Say hello. Learn names. Ask how someone's summer was. Build the relationship before the day comes when you need to have a difficult conversation.

🙋 Give children ownership. Instead of immediately handing them seventeen rules and a laminated poster about respect, ask: What do you need from this space? What would make this a great year?

Your September Challenge

This week:

Learn something new about every child.

Look for the micro moments.

Remember something a child tells you — and ask them about it later.

Connect with a family.

Introduce yourself to someone in the school.

Notice a routine that isn't working and get curious about why instead of immediately trying to control it.

And ask your children:

“What would make this a really great year here?”

Then actually listen.

Join the Conversation

What does September look like in your before and after school program?

What's going amazingly well? What's chaotic? What made you laugh this week? And what already feels heavy?

Send Jamie a message and tell her what's happening in your program. Your questions, challenges and real-life experiences help shape future conversations on The Forgotten ECE.

Because this podcast isn't just about talking about school-age educators.

It's about talking with them.

🎙️ The Forgotten ECE is hosted by Jamie Wagler, RECE, OCT — international speaker, consultant, and school-age advocate.

In this heartfelt episode, Jamie celebrates the halfway point of summer childcare and emphasizes the importance of focusing on micro-moments that foster connection, trust, and belonging. Perfect for educators and caregivers navigating busy summer days, this episode reminds us why the small, genuine interactions are the true magic of early childhood education.

Key Topics:

• The challenges and joys of summer childcare programs
• The significance of micro-moments—small conversations, laughter, and shared experiences
• How presence, connection, and belonging leave lasting impacts on children
• Strategies to stay grounded and intentional during busy summer days
• The importance of self-compassion and celebrating small wins
• Creating meaningful relationships that children carry beyond summer

• ⁠Instagram⁠

• ⁠Website⁠

Timestamps:

00:00 - Celebrating the halfway mark of summer childcare

00:21 - Recognizing the effort and resilience of educators during summer

00:50 - Challenges faced by summer staff and their dedication

01:20 - The emotional landscape of summer: excitement, overwhelm, and adjustment

01:49 - Children remember authentic interactions more than schedules

02:17 - The power of micro-moments in building relationships

02:46 - Focusing on one child and moment at a time

03:17 - Simple acts that create lasting memories

03:45 - Supporting children through small, meaningful interactions

04:15 - The importance of being present and intentional

04:44 - Giving grace and focusing on connection over perfection

05:11 - Building trust that lasts beyond summer

05:40 - Creating lifelong memories through everyday moments

06:10 - Encouragement to caregivers to acknowledge their impact

06:29 - Closing encouragement and gratitude

In this episode of The Forgotten ECE, Jamie sits down with Chris Danilo to explore the role of AI in early childhood education and why human skills still matter more than ever. They talk about using AI as a thought partner rather than a replacement, the importance of trust, communication, feedback, and collaboration, and why educators need practical tools that support both performance and wellbeing. Chris also shares his perspective on training, burnout, recovery, and how leaders can build stronger teams by leading with curiosity and compassion.It works because it blends a timely topic with strong emotional relevance, making the episode feel both useful and relatable to educators.

Main Topics Covered:

• The importance of human skills like trust, communication, and emotional intelligence in a tech-heavy world
• How AI can enhance, not replace, human interaction in early childhood settings
• Practical strategies for implementing AI tools responsibly and effectively
• The significance of soft skills and emotional intelligence in team dynamics and education
• The "Be-Do-Feel" framework for guiding skill development and engagement
• The necessity of effective feedback and conflict resolution approaches in teams
• Advocating for trauma-informed, relationship-based pedagogy over punitive methods
• The importance of self-care and recovery for educators to sustain high performance

• ⁠Chris Danilo's Website⁠
• ⁠Newsletter Sign-up⁠
• ⁠Human Skills Training Reading List⁠

• ⁠LinkedIn⁠
• ⁠Twitter⁠

Summer camp isn't "just camp"—it's one of the most powerful opportunities we have to foster belonging, confidence, leadership, and lifelong memories for children.

In this episode of The Forgotten ECE Podcast, Jamie shares her experience attending Camp North of Ordinary, a unique professional learning experience designed specifically for camp leaders, school-age educators, and recreation professionals. She dives into what made the experience so impactful, the importance of investing in camp staff training, and why summer camp educators need more than enthusiasm to create extraordinary experiences for children.

Together, we'll explore:

• Why camp educators are some of the most overlooked professionals in the field
• The critical role training plays in creating safe, inclusive, and engaging camp environments
• The essential tools every summer camp educator should have in their toolbox
• How strong leadership and intentional practice transform children's camp experiences
• Why investing in educators ultimately means investing in children

Whether you're a camp counsellor, supervisor, recreation professional, school-age educator, or someone passionate about childhood, this episode will leave you inspired to rethink what summer camp can be when educators are equipped to thrive.

Because extraordinary summers don't happen by accident—they happen when extraordinary educators are supported.

#TheForgottenECE #CampNorthOfOrdinary #SchoolAgeEducators #SummerCamp #ECEPodcast #CampLeadership #ChildhoodMatters

What is the future of school-age care—and what needs to change first?

In this episode of the Forgotten ECE Podcast, Jamie sits down with Cody Topp, owner of TOPP KIDS in Alberta, Chair of the School Age Care Directors Association (SACDA), and a passionate advocate for school-age care across Canada.

Together, they dive into the realities of before-and-after school programs, the ongoing struggle for recognition within the ECE sector, and the leadership, advocacy, and system changes needed to move school-age care forward.

From Alberta and Ontario perspectives to workforce challenges and program quality, this conversation is honest, thought-provoking, and packed with insight for educators, leaders, and advocates alike.

If you care about the future of school-age care, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

In This Episode:

• Cody Topp’s journey into school-age care leadership
• Why school-age care still struggles for recognition
• Alberta vs. Ontario perspectives on before-and-after school programs
• Leadership lessons from scaling large organizations
• The disconnect between leadership and frontline educators
• Advocacy and the future of school-age care in Canada
• What quality school-age programs should really look like
• What needs to change to better support educators and children

Cody Topp is the owner of TOPP KIDS in Alberta and Chair of the School Age Care Directors Association (SACDA). He is a passionate advocate for high-quality school-age care and has helped lead conversations around leadership, advocacy, and the future of out-of-school care programs across Canada.

🌐 School Age Care Directors Association (SACDA) ⁠https://www.calgarysacda.com⁠

💼 LinkedIn ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-topp/⁠

🏫 TOPP KIDS ⁠https://www.toppkids.com/family/cody-topp/⁠

🎙 Forgotten ECE Podcast 📸 Instagram: @forgottenecepodcast

Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with an educator or leader passionate about the future of school-age care.

#ForgottenECEPodcast #SchoolAgeCare #ECE #BeforeAndAfterSchool #ChildCareLeadership #OutOfSchoolCare #ECELeadership

About Today’s Guest: Connect with Cody Topp

Connect with the Forgotten ECE Podcast

Enjoying the Podcast?

Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with an educator or leader passionate about the future of school-age care.

#ForgottenECEPodcast #SchoolAgeCare #ECE #BeforeAndAfterSchool #ChildCareLeadership #OutOfSchoolCare #ECELeadership

🌟 Episode Overview

In this episode of The Forgotten ECE, Jamie sits down with Jenny Nechvatal — educator, author, and parent advocate — to explore one of the most challenging and impactful parts of our work: having hard conversations with families.

With over 30 years in early childhood education and 22 years of lived experience parenting children with disabilities, Jenny brings a powerful dual perspective that challenges educators to rethink how we approach communication with families.

This conversation is especially important for those working in before and after school programs, where time is limited, relationships are complex, and difficult conversations often feel rushed or avoided altogether.

• Why hard conversations feel so difficult for educators
• Why families may avoid or fear these conversations
• The emotional realities families experience — especially around diagnosis and support
• How an educator’s approach can either build trust or create distance
• Understanding Autism and sensory processing in everyday practice
• Shifting from “delivering information” to building relationships
• Practical strategies to approach conversations with confidence and care
• Why these conversations directly impact outcomes for children

• Perspective changes everything — understanding the parent experience transforms how we communicate
• Avoidance is often rooted in fear, not resistance
• Timing, language, and tone matter more than we think
• Relationships come before recommendations
• Small shifts in approach can lead to significantly better outcomes for children and families

Jenny Nechvatal holds a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood and has worked in the early childhood sector for over 30 years in both teaching and management roles.

Her work is deeply shaped by her lived experience as a parent of two children who live with disabilities. This perspective led her to write:

📘 Embracing Disability in Early Childhood – Supporting Children Living with a Disability and Their Families in Early Childhood Settings

Jenny now facilitates workshops for educators and families, helping build inclusive environments and strengthening communication between educators and families through empathy, knowledge, and practical strategies.

When educators feel confident having difficult conversations, families feel supported — and children benefit.

This episode is a reminder that how we communicate is just as important as what we communicate.

📧 Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ 📘 Book: Embracing Disability in Early Childhood 🎤 Workshops: Available for educators and families

If this episode resonated with you:

⭐ Follow the podcast ⭐ Share with a fellow educator ⭐ Tag us and let us know your biggest takeaway

Hard conversations don’t have to feel like conflict. With the right lens, they can become moments of connection, understanding, and meaningful support for the children and families we serve every day.

What happens after the school day ends?

In this episode of The Forgotten ECE, I sit down with Megan from Discover and Play to talk about something we don’t talk about enough in school-age programs — sensory needs, emotional regulation and designing programs for neurodivergence.

We dive into: ✨ Why sensory play isn’t just for early years — it’s essential for school-age children ✨ How to support emotional regulation and self-calming in before and after school programs ✨ Creating inclusive environments where every child can feel successful and seen ✨ Simple, realistic sensory strategies you can start using right away

This conversation is a powerful reminder that school readiness isn’t just academic — it’s emotional, social, and deeply connected to how children feel in their bodies.

💛 Connect with Megan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/discover_and_play/ YouTube: Discover and Play Book: https://a.co/d/0idxHycS

Connect with Megan on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@DiscoverandPlay-m1p

If you’re working in before and after-school programs, this episode will challenge you to rethink what children really need to thrive.

🎧 Listen now and let’s keep advocating for the children and educators who are too often forgotten.

#TheForgottenECE #SchoolAgeCare #BeforeAndAfterSchool #ECE #EmotionalRegulation #SensoryPlay #InclusionMatters

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Forgotten ECE, Miss Jamie is pulling back the curtain on the "3:00 PM Cliff"—the exact moment when provincial support for children with diverse abilities vanishes, leaving Before and After School (BASC) educators and summer camp leaders stranded.

We’re diving deep into the systemic exclusion that tells 1 in 10 families their child is "too diverse" for community programming. Why is a child entitled to support at 2:59 PM but expected to navigate a loud, high-sensory gym alone at 3:01 PM?

In this episode, we discuss:

• The "Magic Act": How funding models pretend diverse abilities disappear when the school bell rings.
• Jet Fuel vs. Joint Support: A spicy reality check on provincial spending—if there's a budget for private jets, there's a budget for our kids.
• The Continuity of Care Revolution: Why the "Seamless Day" model is the only way to provide professional dignity to ECEs and emotional safety to children.
• The Mandated Bridge: Why "hand-offs" shouldn't feel like a game of telephone.

Call to Action: It’s time to stop being "forgotten." Miss Jamie shares how you can take this fight to your MPP to demand portable funding and systemic change.

Special Announcement: Ready to bring the fun back to your practice? Miss Jamie introduces Camp North of Ordinary, a retreat for RECEs and Recreational Leaders designed to help you reclaim your confidence, find relief from burnout, and master the art of real, neurodiversity-affirming inclusion.

Show Notes & Resources:

• Stat of the Week: 1 in 10 parents of children with diverse abilities are denied care due to a lack of resources.
• Get Involved:
  • Find your MPP: Use the Ontario MPP Directory to get your representative's email.
  • Send the Letter: Copy and paste our pre-written advocacy letter found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UQoNnmE_YliwEJjgi_jYg1sU-3JpCPTonbzMj8CwrLw/edit?usp=sharing
  • Share: Once you’ve sent it, tag @TheForgottenECE on socials so we can track the movement!
• Join the Movement: Register for the next Camp North of Ordinary retreat: https://www.missjamieconsulting.com/campnorth
• Follow Miss Jamie:
  • www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-lee-wagler-871773165
  • https://www.instagram.com/missjamie_rece/

Keywords: #TheForgottenECE #BASC #EarlyChildhoodEducation #Neurodiversity #Inclusion #SeamlessDay #OntarioEducation #ECEBurnout #CampNorthOfOrdinary

In this episode of The Forgotten ECE Podcast, Jamie sits down with developmental psychologist and EdTech innovator Yarden Kedar to explore what it really feels like for bilingual children entering English-speaking environments.

Drawing from both his research and personal experience as a parent, Yarden shares powerful insights into the social and emotional challenges children face in their first months of language transition — from navigating friendships to expressing identity without words.

Together, they unpack:

• What educators often miss when supporting bilingual children
• The hidden emotional load of language acquisition
• How gestures, relationships, and environment shape belonging
• Practical ways educators can create safer, more inclusive spaces

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone working in before and after school programs — where communication goes far beyond language, and connection is everything.