Presentations
A catalogue of various presentations make by the Atkinson Centre team at different events and meetings.
When Inclusion Falls Short: The Policy Gaps Affecting Children and Families
Presented by Dr. Shelly Mehta, Dr. Emis Akbari, and Dr. Daniel Foster, Atkinson Centre, University of Toronto, Canadian Association for Social Justice Education, June 1, 2026, Winnipeg.
Building Inclusive Practice Through Relationships, Resilience, and System Alignment (no slides)
Presented by Dr. Emis Akbari, Executive Director, Atkinson Centre, University of Toronto, Professor & Program Coordinator, School of Early Childhood, George Brown Polytechnic, Early Childhood Resource Consultant Network on Ontario (ECRCNO), May 29, 2026. Niagara on-the-lake.
Evidence Informed - Mentorship Framework
Presented by Tonya Millsap, Manager, Early Learning & Child Care System Management, County of Simcoe, Social and Community Services; Michelle Schurter, Better Together, founder and lead; Dr. Emis Akbari, Executive Director, Atkinson Centre, University of Toronto, Professor & Program Coordinator, School of Early Childhood, George Brown Polytechnic, OMSSA Webinar, May 14, 2026.
England’s Changing ECEC Landscape
Dr. Antonia Simon, Associate Professor, University College London - April 30. 2026
England offers an important case study for Canada. It combines a long-standing mixed-market childcare system with sustained large-scale public investment, while continuing to rely heavily on corporate providers. England’s experience allows us to examine not only how systems expand access, but also what happens after expansion: rising market concentration, increasing corporate ownership, mounting public costs, and persistent affordability challenges for families.
England offers an important case study for Canada. It combines a long-standing mixed-market childcare system with sustained large-scale public investment, while continuing to rely heavily on corporate providers. England’s experience allows us to examine not only how systems expand access, but also what happens after expansion: rising market concentration, increasing corporate ownership, mounting public costs, and persistent affordability challenges for families.
AQI in Durham: A System-Level Perspective
Presented by Julie Gaskin, Child Care and Early Years Division, Regional Municipality of Durham, at the Quality Counts: Measuring What Matters in Early Learning for Accountability and Quality Improvement webinar, April 24, 2026.
Monitoring Quality: Toronto’s Journey
Presented by Anne Hepditch, Toronto Children's Services, at the Quality Counts: Measuring What Matters in Early Learning for Accountability and Quality Improvement webinar, April 24, 2026.
Quality Counts: Measuring What Matters in Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) for Accountability and Quality Improvement
Presented by Dr. Michal Perlman, Chair, Atkinson Centre, OISE/University of Toronto, at the Quality Counts: Measuring What Matters in Early Learning for Accountability and Quality Improvement webinar, April 17, 2026.
Pre-service Training Program Models: Lessons from Manitoba's Red River College
Presented by Kelsey Shay Regnier, Red River Ploytech, to the ECE Workforce Roundtable, March 23, 2026.
Tracking Canada's Progress In ECE Policy
Akbari, E. (2025). Tracking Canada's Progress in ECE Policy. Ministère de la Famille. Montreal, Quebec. December 9, 2025.
Ontario’s ECE Workforce in Context: Challenges, Gaps, and Lessons from Across Canada
Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA). Policy Conference 2025. December 3-4, 2025. Toronto, Canada.
Early Learning and Child Care: What the Auditors Are Telling Us
Presented by Kerry McCuaig, Senior Fellow Early Childhood Policy, Atkinson Centre, OISE/University of Toronto, to the Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation Inc. board members, October 29, 2025
Ontario's ECE Workforce in Context: Challenges, Gaps, and Lessons from across Canada
Akbari, E. (2025). Ontario's ECE Workforce in Context: Challenges, Gaps, and Lessons from Across Canada. Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario. December 19, 2025. Toronto, Ontario.
