Welcome to a special episode of BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast.

Although we are taking a brief summer break, we felt it was important to re-air this special episode in honour of Stephanie Smith, who devoted more than four decades to advancing workers' rights and social justice, and whose recent passing has left many across the labour movement and beyond, mourning the loss of a remarkable leader.

As the first woman elected president of the BCGEU, an early childhood educator by training, and a lifelong advocate for workers, child care, and social justice, Stephanie's impact was profound and far-reaching.

We invite you to revisit this conversation and reflect on her wisdom, compassion, and unwavering commitment to building a more just and caring world.

We extend our deepest condolences to Stephanie’s family, friends, and the many people whose lives she touched through her leadership, advocacy, and friendship. Her legacy of solidarity, compassion, and service will not be forgotten.

Listen now at BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast: Season 5, Episode 9 or wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome to Season 5 Episode 8 of our BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast!

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for an amazing fifth season of BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast with our listeners across the globe, special guests and hosts that have made this season and podcast all possible.

During this snippet, we share an update on our upcoming summer podcast schedule, and prepare for an exciting introduction to our sixth season of the podcast returning in September.

We look forward to seeing you all again very soon for more conversations in BC's child care systems and beyond.

Listen now at BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast: Season 5, Episode 8 or wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome to Season 5 Episode 7 of our BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast!

During this episode, we're joined by Nicky Byres. Nicky Byres has led the Society of Richmond Children's Centres for almost 3 decades. Building a multi-site, non-profit from 2 centres to 6 centres with 13 programs and 70 educators serving 230 families with values-based leadership. Nicky is also an instructor in the post-basic ECE training program in Delta and a Communities of Practice Mentor.

She has been published several times and given keynotes and led professional learning across BC and Canada. She is a co-leader of Educating for Democracy, an initiative of Exchange Pressin the United States through the Reimagining Our Work (ROW) Initiative. Her skill set is organizational leadership, and her heart is in the pedagogy of early childhood.

Listen now at BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast Season 5, Episode 7: or wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome to Season 5 Episode 6 of our BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast!

During this episode, we're joined by Safiya Ayuen. Safiya is a policy researcher and analyst with a background in international relations, human rights, and community-informed policy work. She holds a B.A. in International Relations from the University of British Columbia and a certificate in Human Rights and Global Development from Sciences Po, Paris.

In her recent role as a Policy and Engagement Officer at Pacific Immigrant Resources Society in Vancouver, she worked on a systems-change initiative focused on immigrant and refugee women in British Columbia, where she supported policy analysis, community engagement, and the development of equity-focused policy recommendations. She brings an analytical and community-informed perspective to policy reform and is fluent in French and Spanish. Find out 'Why Child Care Matters: Even if you Don't Have Children' by listening to the episode today!

Welcome to Season 5 Episode 5 of our BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast!

During this episode, we're joined by Sherlana Shroeder. Chetwynd is the colonial name for the place our guest Sherlana lives. There are many Indigenous peoples that have and continue to call this place home including Cree, Dane-Zaa, Saulteau and many Métis peoples. Chetwynd is on the Treaty 8 Territory, and this distinction between *treaty and *unceded land is necessary.

Sherlana is of Cree and Métis descent from Saskatchewan, though her connection to community is deeply impacted by the colonial disruption of Indigenous families. As an adult, she has been actively reclaiming her heritage through connections with Elders, learning her ancestral language, and engaging with the work of Indigenous scholars. This journey of cultural reclamation fuels Sherlana’s passion and purpose in the field of Early Childhood Education. She is committed to fostering environments where children grow up knowing their stories, cultures, and identities—without needing to reclaim them later in life. Sherlana joined the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC already rooted in advocacy, and with the support of a strong network of colleagues and board members, she continues to strengthen her voice in pursuit of meaningful, systemic change. Listen to this episode and become inspired to act by Sherlana's growing advocacy.

*Treaty is a formal, legally-binding agreement between the Crown (representing Canada) and Indigenous Peoples, defining ongoing rights, responsibilities, and relationships, aiming to reconcile Indigenous sovereignty with Crown sovereignty through historic land-cession pacts, the numbered treaties, and modern land claims. These agreements, protected by the Constitution, establish lasting benefits like resource harvesting and self-government, forming the foundation for nation-to-nation relationships and impacting land, governance, and socio-economic issues. Visit this link to learn What are Treaty Rights?

*Unceded land refers to Indigenous territory that was never formally surrendered, ceded, or transferred to the Crown or Canada through treaty or agreement. It signifies that First Nations retain rightful, ongoing, and, in some cases, legally recognized title to their traditional territories. Significant portions of Canada, including most of British Columbia, are considered unceded.

Become a member of the Coalition of Child Care Advocates

Welcome to Season 5 Episode 4 of our BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast!

During this episode, we're joined by Rita Chudnovsky, as we explore $10aDay Child Care: Where We Are and Where We Are Going! For more than 30 years, has been right in the heart of BC’s child care advocacy movement and a femtor to many. She’s worked alongside the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC and so many community partners across the province and the country. And if you ask her, she’ll tell you that it didn’t take long before the work—and the people—completely captured her heart.

Now retired, and a proud mom and grandmother, Rita hasn’t slowed down one bit. She continues to lend her wisdom and energy as a member of the CCCABC Board, helping to push the $10aDay vision forward. The progress the movement has made keeps her inspired and optimistic—and she often says with a smile, “This time, we’re going to win.”

What we CAN do to continue to hold Government accountable:

· Become a plan supporter Endorse the Plan - $10aDay Child Care

· Become a member of the Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC

Listen now at BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast Season 5, Episode 4: Rita Chudnovsky or wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome to Season 5 Episode 3 of our BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast!

During this episode we explore the BC Early Years Professional Development Bursary Program—what it is, why it matters, and how it’s shaping educators' learning across the province of British Columbia, in Canada. Our guests are two impactful leaders—Kathreen Riel, who manages the bursary fund, and Maryam Naddaf, Director of Frog Hollow’s Reggio-Inspired Learning Centre.

Kathreen is a Community Engagement Consultant, currently managing the Federal‑Provincial ECE Professional Development Bursary Project through Westcoast Family Centres, working to ensure educators have access to ongoing high-quality professional learning, often with financial barriers removed. Before that she was instrumental in the development of the Early Years Professional Development Web Portal with BCcampus, helping to coordinate and promote training opportunities across the province. Her work has been focused on building capacity, relationships, and equity in early childhood education.

Maryam is Director of the Reggio‑Inspired Learning Centre at Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House in Vancouver, where she worked for over 10 years. Her work is rooted in the Reggio Emilia philosophy—facilitating workshops, communities of practice, designs curriculum with educators, children, and families, and leads study groups for educators across Metro Vancouver and beyond. Her passion lies in social justice, children’s rights, and creating reflective, inquiry-based learning environments, which led her to a B.A. in Community Rehabilitation Management and many years of working with infants, children, youth and adults with diverse abilities.

Listen now at BC's Path to Universal Child Care Podcast Season 5, Episode 3: Kathreen Riel and Maryam Naddaf or wherever you get your podcasts.