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This portfolio is a space for me to showcase my experience in early childhood education and the skills that I am building throughout my time as an Early Childhood Education student at Fanshawe College.

I hope you enjoy perusing through my work,

- Alexandra

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Artifacts:

1. Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (2014)

2. Professional Resume

3. Calm, Alert and Ready to Communicate

4. Early Screening

5. Shanker Method of Self-Regulation

6. Anti-Racism and Belonging in Outdoor Play and Learning

Reflection:

These artifacts demonstrate my commitment to continuous learning and professional development. I spent 3 years studying for my degree in Early Years Education and graduated in 2014. Since settling in Canada, I have taken the initiative to enroll myself in several Canadian online learning opportunities to support my practice.

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I've been working with young children for over 15 years. When I was 16 years old, I stepped up to run a small weekly toddler group at my local church in England while their parents attended the Sunday church service. I studied Early Years Education (Ba) at the University of Wales and graduated in 2014. I spent the next six years working as an Au Pair and Nanny in the USA, Canada and Australia. I worked in a nursery school in England before settling in Bradford, Ontario with my husband and working as an ECA at a day care. In September 2024, I began studying at Fanshawe College to become a RECE.

I am grateful to have had experiences working alongside Forest School UK staff, volunteering at a Jewish Community Center day care in Washington D.C., and working in childcare in Wales, England and Canada. I am excited to expand on my Canadian childcare experience through my studies at Fanshawe College, student placements and work.

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BA in Early Years Education - University of Wales Trinity Saint David

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BA in Early Years Education - University of Wales Trinity Saint David

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Artifacts:

1. Reflecting on the Universal Beliefs about Early Education and Care

2. Theorist Comparison Essay - Indigenous Pedagogy and Marlene Powers' Forest School Canada

3. Reflections for Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect

4. Education Perspective Video Presentation

5. Advocacy Assignment Letter

Courses:

1. ECED3044 - The Reflective Practitioner

2. ECED3003 - Educational Perspect

3. ECED2041 - Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect

4. ECED-3040 - Professionalism, Ethics and Advocacy

Reflection:

The first artifact is an essay in which I compare my own interpretation of the 10 Universal Beliefs about Early Education and Care to both How Does Learning Happen and the Indigenous perspective provided by Dr. Hopi Martin's Seasonal Pedagogy.

In artifact 2, I demonstrate my understanding of some Indigenous Pedagogical approaches and Forest School Canada through comparing the two perspectives together and against my own pedagogical outlook and experiences.

In the third artifact, I reflect on how my own cultural background can influence my perception of the child welfare system in Canada and how I can counter any unconscious biases surrounding these issues.

The fourth artifact is a presentation I made in January 2025. I explain my own perspectives on early childhood education and offer a brief outline of my background in childcare and how it has shaped my personal pedagogy.

The final artifact is an assignment which takes the form of a letter addressed to my MPP. In the letter, I advocate for the importance of providing authentic connections with nature throughout the early years framework.

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Artifacts:

1. Secure Bonds Newsletter

2. Self Efficacy Assignment

3. Op Ed Paper - Embracing Risky Play

4. Small Group Facilitations

Courses:

1. ECED1075 - Child Development 0-3 Years

2. ECED3038 - Child Development 3-6 Years

Reflection:

Artifact 1 is a newsletter assignment I wrote to demonstrate the importance of attachments in the early years. It demonstrates my ability to conduct research and present it in a way that is accessible to parents and families.

Artifact 2 is based on a TED talk by Mamie Morrow and discusses the importance of supporting self-efficacy in children to scaffold their development. This assignment allowed me to reflect deeply on how I already foster self-efficacy in my practice, and how I can work to make a more conscious effort to build self-efficacy through child-centered holistic experiences.

Artifact 3 is an Op-Ed paper in which I researched and wrote about the developmental benefits that are available to children when they are encouraged and supported in engaging in risky play experiences.

Artifact 4 demonstrates my ability to work as part of a small group and take turns to facilitate and participate in discussions about the material in the course ECED3038 - Child Development 3-6 Years.

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Artifacts:

1. Outdoor Play Newsletter

2. Kindergarten Frames Assignment

3. Social and Emotional Learning Experience Assignment

4. Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

5. Program Plan Example

6. Field Placement Workbook

Courses:

1. ECED1076 - Curriculum and Pedagogy 0-3

2. ECED3042 - Curriculum and Pedagogy 3-6

Reflection:

In the first two artifacts, I share my views about the importance of outdoor play, and demonstrate ways I can integrate it into the curriculum to holistically foster children's development through a range of experiences that allow children to follow their interests and learn through nature-based play in outdoor environments.

Artifact 3 demonstrates my understanding of social and emotional development. This assignment also allowed me to plan, carry out, and then reflect on a learning experience I designed to support social and emotional learning in a toddler classroom.

Artifact 4 showcases my ability to plan a curriculum connecting to Ontario frameworks for children aged 0-3. I also connect the learning experiences I designed to to the four foundations of learning.

Artifact 5 is a screenshot of a week of toddler programming that I put together with my classroom team in my job as an ECA at a daycare center. The theme of this particular week was Community Helpers.

I filled in the field placement workbook while undertaking my work placement in a preschool classroom. It showcases my observations and the activities I planned for children based on their interests.

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Artifacts:

1. Residential School Assignment

2. Weekly Reflections #1

3. Envisioning Quality Assignment

Courses:

1. SOCI3003 - Canadian Families Change and Diversity

2. ECED3038 - Child Development 3-6

3. FLDP3024 - Field Practicum

4. ECED3044 - Reflective Practitioner

Reflection:

Artifact 1 is an essay I wrote about how the legacy of residential schools continue to affect Indigenous populations today, and how as an ECE, I will be able to support individuals who are adversely affected by the generational trauma that is present in these communities.

The second artifact is a compilation of reflections from the first 5 modules of Child Development 3-6. Many of these reflections focus on how I interpret my role as a future ECE and how I can tailor my practice to support the diverse range of children in my care.

My Envisioning Quality assignment focuses on how pedagogical documentation can be used as a tool to share children's learning journeys as well as in curriculum planning and responsive practice.

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Artifacts:

1. Field Trip Assignment Documents

2. Menu Plan Assignment

3. Handwashing Song Video Assignment

4. First Aid and CRP Certification

5. Child Care and Early Years Act Certification

Courses:

1. ECED1005 - Health, Safety and Nutrition

2. ECED3014 - Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect

Reflection:

The Field Trip Document I uploaded shows my understanding of regulations around safe practice of childcare according to Ontario regulations.

The Menu Plan shows how I worked alongside a fellow student to plan a week of meals and snacks for children in a day care setting according to Canada's Food Guide.

In the Handwashing video, I demonstrate my abilities to engage children in health practices through fun activities like singing a song.

Artifact 4 is my First Aid and CPR certificate.

Artifact 5 is my Child Care and Early Years Act certification.

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Alexandra Wheeler - 1076 Outdoor Play Newsletter

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Perspectives on Early Childhood Education

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Perspectives on Early Childhood Education

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Spending time working alongside families from different cultural backgrounds has given me a deep respect for the supportive partnerships that can be formed between educators and families.

I love to view my role as a facilitator of play and exploration. It is my view that organic and authentically child-led learning experiences hold untold value and allow children to take ownership over their own learning experiences, develop their sense of identity and build confidence and self-efficacy.

Outdoor experiences are important to me personally and professionally. I think it's vital that educators strive to instill love and respect for the outdoor environment in young children and facilitate experiences where children can learn and explore in the natural landscapes that we are fortunate to have access to in Ontario. I believe that connections with the natural world through experiences, materials, plants and animals are essential to the holistic development of children.

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ECED-3042 The Kindergarten Frames - Phoebe Cheung, Alexis Giroux and Alexandra Wheeler

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Alexandra Wheeler - ECED1057 - Secure Bonds Newsletter

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Social and Emotional Learning Experience Assignment

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Social and Emotional Learning Experience Assignment

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Alexandra Wheeler - 1053 - Social and Emotional Learning

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Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

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Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

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PLAR Appendix B - Part 1 and 3- Alexandra Wheeler

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Final - Field Trip Assignment - Group 12 - Phoebe Cheung and Alexandra Wheeler

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Phoebe Cheung and Alexandra Wheeler - Group 14 -1005 Menu Planning Assignment

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Handwashing Video - Alexandra Wheeler.mp4

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Assignment 2 - Alexandra Wheeler - SOCI3003

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Weekly Reflections 1 - Alexandra Wheeler

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Reflecting on the Universal Beliefs about Early Education and Care

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Reflecting on the Universal Beliefs about Early Education and Care

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Reflecting on The Universal Beliefs about Early Education and Care - Alexandra Wheeler - ECED3044

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Calm, Alert and Ready to Communicate 2023 CLL

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Theorist Comparison Essay - Indigenous Pedagogy and Marlene Powers' Forest School Canada

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Theorist Comparison Essay - Indigenous Pedagogy and Marlene Powers' Forest School Canada

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Theorist Comparison 2 - Alexandra Wheeler - Educational Perspect

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Opinion Paper - Embracing Risky Play - Alexandra Wheeler

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Please read our statement related to the $13.2 billion agreement announced on March 28, that is committed to increased affordability and access to high quality child care in Ontario. Qualified professional educators are at the heart of high-quality early learning and care.

COVID-19 Updates: Resources, vaccine information and updates can be found here. Staff are operating as usual, however our office is closed at this time.

New to the College? : Click here to apply to be a Registered Early Childhood Educator.

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Welcome to the College of Early Childhood Educators |

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The College of Early Childhood Educators provides information and communication in an accessible manner when requested. If you require an accessible format and/or communication support, please contact a College staff member or the College at 1 888 961-8558 / info@college-ece.ca.

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Reflections for Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect

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Reflections for Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect

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ECED3041 - Reflection 1 - Alexandra Wheeler

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Educational Perspect - Alexandra Wheeler

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Anti-Racism and Belonging in Outdoor Play and Learning

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Anti-Racism and Belonging in Outdoor Play and Learning

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Final - Alexandra Wheeler - FT7 - FLDP 3024_ Field Placement Workbook Forms

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Elected Official Assignment Letter - Alexandra Wheeler

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Assignment 1 Envisioning Quality - ECED3044 - Alexandra Wheeler