Welcome to The Teaching & Learning Nest
The Teaching & Learning Nest offers interactive workshops, solution-focused services, and practical resources that uplift and inspire educators across early years, elementary, and family-based programs. Each session is designed to spark meaningful discussion, encourage hands-on engagement, and create lasting learning experiences. Teams can select from our workshop menu or request a customized session designed specifically for their goals. Every workshop empowers participants with professional learning that strengthens practice, deepens connection, and promotes sustainable growth.
Professional Learning Facilitator
Cara Caudle MEd, RECE, FNP is a passionate facilitator who believes that the best professional learning happens when people feel connected, inspired, and engaged. She designs experiences where participants create, reflect, and embrace their learning journey. Her sessions mirror the kind of learning we want for children - hands-on, relational, and deeply meaningful! As both a Professor of Early Childhood Education and a Forest School and Nature Practitioner, Cara brings together a wealth of knowledge and lived experience. For over a decade, she has worked front line in Early Childhood Education, guided educator teams and beyond, creating spaces where teams strengthen their practice while building trust and collaboration with one another. At the heart of Cara’s approach is the belief that professional growth flourishes in relationships between people, ideas, passion, and purpose. Participants leave her sessions renewed energy, stronger connections, and lasting inspiration to bring into their work with children and families.
Organizations can choose from the curated sessions below or contact Cara directly to design an experience tailored to your team - director@childhoodconnect.ca
Sessions are 1.5–2 hours in length and valued at $750+.
Professional Learning Offerings
Team Building Sessions
Mountains & Molehills: Team Building Art Night
In this guided creative session, participants will explore what fuels their passion, clouds their joy, and strengthens their resilience. Each team member will create a visual representation of their reflections, and the finished artworks will serve as meaningful reminders of individual growth and collective connection. This experience goes beyond art—it will build empathy, strengthen relationships, and leave teams with a renewed sense of shared purpose.
ECE Escape Room – Coming Soon!
Teams will step into a one-of-a-kind escape room experience designed specifically for early childhood educators. This challenge will require communication, problem solving, and decision making while drawing on key pedagogical practices. It can be booked with facilitation or purchased as a kit. The ECE Escape Room will blend play with professional learning, leaving participants energized, united, and inspired to collaborate.
Pedagogy & Curriculum
Learning with Nature: Nature as Pedagogy
This workshop will invite teams to discover how nature-based learning nurtures curiosity, resilience, and deep connections. Participants will explore practical strategies to intentionally weave nature into everyday practice. Teams will leave with renewed confidence in using nature as both a teacher and a partner in learning.
What to Do When Words Don’t Work: Connection as Regulation
When big emotions arise, children need connection, not correction. This session will provide concrete strategies for offering presence, compassion, and support when behaviours escalate. Participants will leave with confidence in their ability to support regulation, and teams will gain a renewed understanding of how human connection guides children through challenging moments.
Finding Rhythm in Routine
This interactive session will demonstrate how play-based and care-centred strategies transform everyday routines into rich learning opportunities. Participants will reflect on children’s transitions, examine challenges, and discover playful approaches that support independence and well-being. Teams will leave with practical strategies to turn ordinary routines into extraordinary moments of growth and connection.
Get to Know Sensory Development
This collaborative session will help participants understand how all eight senses shape children’s behaviour, regulation, and learning. Teams will explore real-world scenarios, decode children’s signals, and share practical strategies for creating sensory-responsive classrooms that feel welcoming for every child. Participants will gain a deeper appreciation for sensory needs and tools to respond with empathy and effectiveness.
Nature-Vibrant Outdoor Space Design
In this session, participants will design outdoor environments that inspire wonder, connection, and learning. Teams will collaborate on strategies for creating outdoor spaces that engage children and strengthen their connection to the natural world. The session will equip participants with a toolkit of design ideas to transform outdoor spaces into thriving ecosystems for play and discovery.
Let’s Make a Sensory Garden!
Participants will dig into the possibilities of sensory-rich environments while designing and planting a sensory garden. As the team explores how sensory experiences support regulation and curiosity, they will gain fresh ideas and a growing project to bring back to their program. This workshop will blend theory with hands-on practice, inspiring teams to reimagine outdoor spaces as living classrooms.
Navigating Risky Play: How to Overcome Challenges and Fears
This session will explore how risky play supports brain development, confidence, and resilience. Participants will reflect on the role of adventurous play in children’s growth and practice strategies to scaffold safe, intentional risk-taking. Teams will leave with confidence, clarity, and inspiration to embrace risk as an essential part of learning.
The Intentional Observer
Observation is one of the most powerful tools educators have, but it requires reflection and intentionality. In this session, participants will explore different observation styles, learn how to tune into children’s modes of expression, and practice strategies that deepen their understanding of children’s needs and interests. Teams will leave with sharper observation skills and practical methods for translating observations into meaningful classroom curriculum
Leadership
Leading, Mentoring, and Coaching with Intention
Strong leadership begins with understanding how adults learn best. In this session, participants will explore motivators, learning styles, and developmental dynamics that shape adult growth. Teams will leave with concrete tools to foster professional growth, strengthen accountability, and lead with confidence and compassion.
Situational Leadership
Every leader has a natural style, but great leadership requires flexibility. This session will help participants identify their leadership disposition and practice strategies to adapt effectively to different situations and team dynamics. Teams will leave prepared to respond with clarity, strengthen trust, and lead with confidence in diverse circumstances.
Public Speaking
Connection & Care in Our Teams as the Heart of Early Learning
In this heartfelt session, Angie and Cara will highlight the impact that connection and care have in shaping the heart of early learning. They’ll share how nurturing strong relationships within our teams creates a foundation of trust, belonging, and resilience - essential for both personal growth and collective success. This session will inspire you to lead with empathy, embrace the power of connection, and discover the transformative strength that comes when we truly care for each other in the work we do. The session is led in collaboration with Angie Coture of Métis Legacy Learning, a proud Métis educator who brings expertise in culturally responsive practices and Métis perspectives. Angie enriches the learning experience with inclusive strategies that support holistic development for children, families, and communities, empowering teams to build connection, care, and cultural awareness in meaningful ways across Ontario’s early learning landscape. This session is 30 minutes to 1 hour in length as preferred.
Recognition & Celebration of Our Stories
Every professional journey carries wisdom, struggle, and strength. In this heartfelt talk, Cara Caudle shares moments from her own path as a way to spark recognition of the stories we each hold. Through moments of honesty, humour, and reflection, she invites listeners to see the beauty in our experiences as part of a larger journey we walk together. Attendees will be inspired to embrace a come as you are and take only what you need mindset, finding value in authenticity, connection, and unity. This inspiring speaking session celebrates the diverse and skillful network of change makers and caring professionals who, by sharing their stories, weave a collective strength that uplifts us all. This session is 1 to 2 hours in length as preferred.
Schedule a complimentary discovery call to explore what’s possible for your team!
Coming Soon •
Coming Soon •
Professional Learning Collective (PLC)
Welcome to Professional Learning Collective! This online space is designed just for education-based organizations looking for engaging professional learning experiences to integrate into staff meetings and team gatherings. With a PLC membership you will have access to a variety of engaging professional learning workshops that cover a variety of important focuses from designing engaging environments to leading classroom culture to relationship centered approaches to engagement and more!
Every session is packed with relevant research backed information, practical strategies, and team exercises to help your team learn and grow together. Sessions are paired with exclusive extras such as discussion prompts for leaders, tips and takeaways for teams, and educational posters to enrich your team spaces - engaging further connections and reflections!
With the Professional Learning Collective, you can enjoy 24/7 access to quality professional learning resources that are sure to help your team thrive!