LOT Program Information

The LOT program is an online professional development opportunity for Early Childhood Educators. It consists of 4 components:

1. A self-paced online curriculum. There are 9 basic modules. 3 of the modules have a “part b”. The course is structured to allow participants to complete 1 of the “part b” modules, for a total of 10 modules.
2. Activities, personal reflections and contribution to the group chat to deepen comprehension, completed after each of the 10 modules.
3. A minimum of 10 online group meetings
4. A 2 hour, optional, online graduation celebration.

It is expected that the first three components each require a minimum of 1 hour per week, for a total of 3 hours. However, registration in the LOT program does not come with a set professional development certificate. Instead, the hours each participant commits to the program are calculated as described below. Professional development certificates reflect these calculations.

The program will cover a multitude of topics that will help early childhood educators become  enthusiastic and more confident about bringing their ECE practices outside.  

Participants will watch videos, read, listen and reflect on:

• Indigenous traditional knowledge and wisdom
• Concepts of land as teacher
• How educators adapt their practices to the different seasons
• How to talk and work with licensing officers, managers, and parents
• Ways to improve your outdoor spaces
• How to explore alternative outdoor spaces for your program
• Sustainability practices
• Honoring the land and traditional territories
• The role of the educator
• and much much more!

Educators who have an ECE Basic certificate and are currently employed or self-employed at a child care workplace in British Columbia, in a role working directly with children.

All ECEs working in BC are welcome to apply. It doesn’t matter if you live in an urban, rural or remote  setting. As long as you can access the internet! (And if you can’t please let us know, we may be able to  help.) Unfortunately, we cannot currently accommodate those who live and work outside of British Columbia.

The LOT program is a partnership between ECEBC, BC Aboriginal Child Care Society, and the non-profit  Social Research and Demonstration Corporation. The project partners are supported by a Steering Committee composed of experts, Elders, and passionate educators. The content for the LOT program includes interviews from 24 Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, was developed by Dr. Enid Eliot and numerous individuals provided additional feedback and insight (including our colleagues at Metis Nation BC). It took a community to develop this course and we are incredibly grateful to all those who generously provided their time, stories, wisdom, and insights. 

Yes, the LOT program was designed to be completed by ECEs who are currently working. You will receive a selection of times to meet when you are applying. Please apply if one or more of the available times suit your schedule for the full 19 weeks of the program. The majority of the meetings will take place outside of 9-5 Monday to Friday to accommodate ECEs working full time. The program will take place over 10 virtual meetings and an online wrap-up celebration over 19 weeks (including holidays and catch up weeks). Please see the Cohort Timeline for more information.

Yes, you are required to apply again.

There is a cohort (group) that start the LOT program each Fall. Application generally open last summer. View the course timeline for more information.

Yes! Please apply anyway and note this in your application. As there are "catch up" weeks scheduled regularly, you should be able to keep pace with your group.

Each week there will be approximately 1 hour of self-paced learning, 1 hour of reflection outdoors or activities, and a 1-hour meeting with your mentor group. As such, a minimum 3 hour time commitment is required for each active week. Please see the Cohort Timeline for more information.

Yes. However, the weekly online and outdoor components must be completed before each small group meeting.

You will select from the available times that you can meet. The groups will be formed by availability and additional criteria.

Currently we have funding for groups to begin in the fall of 2024, 2025 and 2026. We are always on the look out for additional funding to maintain this important program!