But with full-day kindergarten, the initiative at the heart of the early learning plan, Mr. McGuinty has found his sweet spot – a policy that he desperately wants to be remembered for, and one that future governments will find very difficult to make Ontarians forget.

"It's not the only test," Mr. McGuinty said in an interview last month. "But one important test of public policy is, do I think that anybody would seek to undo this. I find it hard to see somebody seeking to undo this."

He has a point, although it's open for debate whether that's a question of public policy or public opinion.

It remains to be seen, a long ways down the road, whether the early education gurus Mr. McGuinty cited yesterday (among them Fraser Mustard and Margaret McCain) are correct that putting four- and five-year-olds in school for the entire day will pave the way for a brighter future. What's clearer is that it will make the lives of many working parents a great deal easier, and that very few of them are going to be clamouring for the government to make their lives harder again.

via www.theglobeandmail.com

Below is a list of sites that outline upcoming professional development opportunities for the early learning and care field.  This posting is a work in progress; with more info being added over the next few weeks and months.  If you know of additional training opportunities please leave a comment and link.

British Columbia

BC Aboriginal Child Care Society – Annual Conference Page

BC Family Child Care Association – Events Page

Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre – Training Page

Child Care Options – Training Page

ECEBC – Conference 2010 Page

HELP – Human Early Learning Partnership – Events Page

Alberta

Alberta Child Care Association – Events Page

Manitoba

Manitoba Child Care Association – Events Page and Fall Workshop Page

New Brunswick

Early Childhood Care and Education – Training Page

PEI

Early Childhood Development Association of PEI – Events Page

National

Child Care Resource and Research Unit – Events Page

Canadian Child Care Federation – Events Page