Case Study
Early Childhood Development Association of PEI (ECDA)
About the project
The Early Childhood Development Association of PEI (ECDA) is a provincial, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting high-quality early childhood development programs and services. As a vital resource network, the ECDA provides essential advocacy, training, and support frameworks for Prince Edward Island’s children, families, and early childhood educators.
Challenge
The functional capabilities of the ECDA’s previous web platform had become obsolete, a vulnerability compounded by the fact that their previous website developer was no longer in business. This baseline created a critical opportunity for a complete digital overhaul.
During our strategic website planning phase, we identified three primary systemic issues:
-
Hidden Information: The most important resources were buried inside confusing sub-menus. Visitors were getting stuck trying to find basic content, leaving them unsure of where to go next.
-
Information Overload: Several main pages were packed with so much text and clutter that users felt completely overwhelmed.
-
A Confusing Member Experience: The website has to work double duty—serving the general public while also acting as a private portal for registered members. The member area was technically functional, but it lacked a central hub. Crucial updates and everyday tasks were buried too deep, making it a hassle for educators to manage their files.
Solution
We led the end-to-end design and development of the platform, focusing on creating a clear, intuitive experience for both public users and registered members.
A key challenge was improving information discoverability and simplifying navigation. We restructured the site’s information architecture, redesigned the navigation system, and streamlined content pathways to help users quickly find the resources and information they need. By reducing complexity and improving content organization, we created a more intuitive and user-friendly experience.
For the member portal, we designed and developed a membership management platform centred around a personalized dashboard experience. The platform includes a member database, account management tools, and a visual Professional Development (PD) credit tracker that allows early childhood educators to easily monitor their certification progress. By surfacing critical information and reducing administrative friction, the platform helps members stay informed and engaged while supporting ongoing professional development requirements.
