Edmonton, May 1, 2026 — More than 150 Francophone early childhood professionals from across the province gathered in Edmonton for a professional development day organized by the Fédération des parents francophones de l’Alberta (FPFA). The event’s theme was “Growing Together: Cultivating Flourishing in Francophone Early Childhood.”
Beyond the workshops and learning sessions, the day was primarily defined by a strong commitment to recognizing and valuing the essential work of educators.
As part of Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Month in Alberta, special gestures were integrated throughout the day to highlight their dedication, expertise, and daily impact on children and families.
“This provincial gathering marks a decisive step for the development of Francophone early childhood education in Alberta. […] It is also an essential opportunity to recognize the fundamental role of educators whose expertise supports the growth of children and families every day.” — Valérie Deschênes, RIPE Coordinator at the FPFA.
The program featured seven field-oriented workshops addressing key themes such as French-language acquisition (francisation), mental health, identity building, parental support, and behavior management. These sessions allowed participants to share best practices and strengthen their sense of belonging to a province-wide network.
The event also served as a platform to introduce the Réseau des intervenant.es en petite enfance (RIPE) team, along with the project’s objectives and the services offered to better support the sector.
The day concluded on an emotional note with a tribute to Mireille Péloquin, Executive Director of the FPFA, honoring a career defined by exceptional commitment to Francophone families as she nears retirement.
“Today, seeing all these people gathered here, I feel an immense sense of pride. This moment is the culmination of years of work, perseverance, and dreams for Francophone early childhood in Alberta. We have worked for a long time to break the isolation of this field, and today, we finally see this community coming together, recognizing one another, and moving forward as one.” — Mireille Péloquin, Executive Director of the FPFA.
The message is clear: the movement has been launched. And it is only the beginning.
Next edition: May 14, 2027
About the FPFA
Founded in 1986, FPFA’s mission is to represent, support, and mobilize parents in their role as their children’s first educators and as promoters of the French language and Francophone culture. It works actively to ensure a continuum of high-quality French-language educational services for families across the province.
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For information:
Mireille Péloquin, Executive Director
direction@fpfa.ab.ca