The Forgotten ECE

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 professi...

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...

🌟 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 p...

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 e...

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 commu...

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 m...

On today's episode, we welcome Kayla Snidal, the founder of Capable Learners and an experienced early childhood educator with over 15 years in the field. Main topics: Creating adaptable and inclusive sensory bins for all ages The benefits of sensory play for regulation, creativity, and leadership Tips for managing the mess and making sensory activities low-stress How to incorporate community resou...

Have you ever noticed how a child who was “fine” at school completely unravels in your program at 3:30? The tears. The shutdown. The explosive reaction over something small. It’s not random. And it’s not because your program is the problem. In this episode, we unpack the hidden emotional cost of “holding it together” all day at school — and why before and after school programs often become the pla...

Moving from early years to school age can feel like an identity crisis. In preschool, you’re needed constantly — tying shoes, regulating emotions, leading the room. Then suddenly you’re in a school-age program, and no one wants your planned activity. They’re building forts, forming friend groups, and asking, “Is it mandatory?” What happened? In this episode, we unpack the “independence shock” educ...

Families may only see us at the edges of the day — at drop-off and pickup — but trust is built in everything that happens in between. In this episode, Jamie explores the often-invisible work of family partnership beyond face-to-face moments. From emails and newsletters to documentation, tone, and transparency, this conversation reframes communication as one of the most powerful tools educators hav...

Morning drop-off is more than a transition — it’s a threshold moment. It’s where children transition from home to community, where parents entrust them, and where educators subtly establish the emotional tone for the entire day. In this episode, Jamie explores the professional, emotional, and developmental importance of morning drop-off in before- and after-school programs. Drawing on attachment t...

Pickup time. Three minutes. Twenty backpacks. One educator is trying to hold connection, information, safety, and emotion all at once. In this episode, Jamie dives into one of the most universal — and underestimated — moments in before- and after-school care: the guardian pickup conversation. With genuine candour, warmth, and the wisdom of a seasoned school-age educator, Jamie explores what’s trul...

Split shifts are more than early mornings and late afternoons — they are emotional marathons. In Episode 12, Jamie brings voice to the invisible work of school-age educators who live in the “in-between” hours: the early starts, the long breaks no one understands, and the emotional balancing act required to show up twice a day with presence, patience, and heart. With honesty, humour, and a whole lo...

Compliance. Just hearing the word can make an educator’s shoulders tense — especially in the fast-paced, ever-changing world of before- and after-school care. In this episode, Jamie gets real about the emotional labour, pressure, and pride behind keeping programs compliant under the CCEYA — and why compliance isn’t just about checklists or binders. It’s about people . From navigating borrowed spac...

In this special episode of The Forgotten ECE Podcast , I’m joined by two inspiring leaders in the early childhood education field: Carla Ward , host of The Everything ECE Podcast , and Julie Hansen , founder of The Inspired ECE . We dive deep into practical and respectful guidance strategies for school-age children , exploring: Common challenges and how to reframe them Tools for building meaningfu...

Time is short. Budgets are tight. But that doesn’t mean your programming has to feel flat or uninspired. In this episode, we dive into realistic, meaningful, and low-prep ideas that bring connection, joy, and purpose into your before and after school programs—without extra stress or spending. From spontaneous games and open-ended materials to quick-win transitions and group reflections, this episo...

In this episode of The Forgotten ECE , host Jamie Wagler explores how before and after school programs across different centres and agencies can move from isolation to collaboration. Discover how community-wide connections can reduce burnout, increase impact, and create more consistent, meaningful experiences for children and educators alike. Whether you’re in a school, a community space, or a rur...

What does before and after school care look like on Canada’s West Coast? In this special episode of The Forgotten ECE , we journey to British Columbia to hear from Cayley Burton, a dedicated educator leading a vibrant school-age program in her community. As part of our cross-country series, Beyond the Bell , Cayley sheds light on the structure, challenges, and stand-out successes of school-age car...

In this heartfelt and practical episode, we sit down with a life coach who specializes in guiding moms through the complex world of parenting school-age children while prioritizing their own well-being. We explore the personal journey that led her to this work, the challenges modern moms face, and why self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential. From shifting mindsets around guilt and self-care to mode...

In this episode, Jamie Wagler dives into the world of play—exploring how educators can move beyond basic free play to design innovative, intentional, and developmentally rich play experiences. From loose parts and STEAM integration to the importance of risk-taking and child-led exploration, this episode is packed with practical strategies and real-life insights that will spark fresh ideas for your...

In this episode of The Forgotten ECE , we’re diving into one of the biggest challenges in before and after-school programs—helping children navigate big emotions. After a long school day, many kids arrive overstimulated, exhausted, or carrying unresolved feelings. So how can educators support them in a way that fosters emotional growth rather than frustration? Join me as I share practical strategi...

🚨 NEW EPISODE ALERT! 🎙️✨What Do You Even Do All Day? The Invisibility of ECEs in Before & After School ProgramsBefore and after school educators hear it all the time: “Oh, you just babysit, right?” or “What do you even do all day?” 🤦‍♀️ The reality? We’re fostering relationships, supporting development, and creating meaningful play-based learning experiences—but too often, our work goes unn...

Feeling burnt out? You’re not alone. In this uplifting episode of The Forgotten ECE podcast, we tackle the realities of burnout in before and after-school programs—and how to reignite the passion that brought you here in the first place. Special guest Anisha Angella, The Early Childhood Coach , joins us to share her expert insights on overcoming burnout, reconnecting with your purpose, and finding...

January can be a tough month for school-age programs, with children and educators feeling the effects of post-holiday fatigue, colder weather, and long school days. This episode explores strategies to reignite energy and engagement in your programs while supporting both staff and children during this transitional period.

In this episode, Jamie shines a spotlight on a critical yet often overlooked issue: the funding disparities in Ontario's school-age childcare programs. They unpack how inequitable funding impacts children, families, and educators, delving into the systemic barriers that perpetuate these challenges. The discussion highlights key differences between funding structures for early years programs and sc...