Building a Strong Community
Through Educators

Early childhood education is more than a career — it is the foundation of a thriving community.

At the Fort Macleod Early Learning & Child Care Society, we believe that when early childhood educators are supported, valued, and given real opportunities to grow, the entire community benefits. Children thrive. Families are supported. Employers can attract and retain workers. And Fort Macleod becomes a stronger, more sustainable place to live and work.

Our role as a society is not to replace educators, providers, or training institutions — but to connect, support, and strengthen them. We exist to remove barriers, build pathways, and ensure that early childhood education in our rural community is a career people are proud to pursue.

What We Do

Connect Education Pathways

We help individuals understand where they can start — and where they can go.

Information on ECE certification levels (Level 1, 2, 3, and beyond)
Connections to post-secondary institutions and training programs
Guidance for those considering leadership roles such as supervisors and directors
Support for educators returning to school or upgrading credentials

Our goal is to make education pathways clear, accessible, and realistic within a rural context.

Remove Barriers to Learning

We know that further education can feel out of reach — especially in smaller communities. We help by:

Connecting educators to available grants, funding, and bursaries
Sharing information on professional development funding and supports
Providing access to local learning spaces for training, workshops, and collaboration
Partnering with organizations to bring education opportunities closer to home

We believe no one should enter — or remain in — this profession without the supports they need to succeed.

Build Local Career Pathways

Education should lead to meaningful, sustainable employment — right here in Fort Macleod. We work to:

Connect educators to local employment opportunities
Share job pathways across day homes, preschools, child care centres, out-of-school care, and schools
Support both public and private providers in recruiting and retaining qualified educators
Promote early childhood education as a well-paid, respected career in our community

A strong workforce means children stay in care, families stay in town, and businesses can grow.

Strengthen Community & Professional Networks

Early childhood educators should never feel isolated. We help foster:

Networks of local early childhood educators
Shared professional development opportunities
Collaboration between providers, agencies, and community partners
A culture that values continuous learning and professional growth

By strengthening connections, we strengthen the profession.

We envision a community where:

Early childhood education is seen as a valued and respected profession
Educators have clear pathways to education, advancement, and leadership
Providers are supported in encouraging higher education
Families have access to stable, high-quality early learning options
Fort Macleod attracts and retains educators who want to build long-term careers