The Center is pleased to offer this valuable “in-time” resource to help you select high-quality training opportunities that align with your professional development goals.
Search the listings below to find:
- in-person workshop sessions facilitated by local trainers
- online PD modules developed by national organizations, such as the Office of Head Start, NAEYC, and Better Kid Care
If an online PD session does not include a certificate of completion and you want documentation for your records, you can submit a Training Verification Form to the Center. All of the opportunities listed are approved by the Center to meet state child care licensing requirements.
Review this list of organizations whose PD is approved:
The Center updates these listings monthly—check back regularly to see the latest entries!
An Introduction to Sensory Concerns and Autism
This training provides an introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and sensory concerns in young children. The symptoms and characteristics of autism will be discussed, as well as implementation strategies to be implemented in the classroom to support children who may or may not yet be diagnosed , as well as typically developing peers.
| Organization | Contact | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Cheers Consulting with TLC | Tracy Cheney | 401-585-4065 | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
Autism 101
Once considered a rare disorder, the most recent study on autism prevalence from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 1 in 59 children are living with it. Most of us likely know someone – a friend’s child, a neighbor, a family member, a student – who has been diagnosed. The “phenomenon” of autism seeming to be everywhere leads to many questions: Is it becoming more common? What is it, anyway, and what causes it? Is there a cure? What are some strategies for working with a child who has autism who is already in your early childhood classroom? Autism 101 attempts to answer these questions and more. We hope that after taking this course, you are not only more knowledgeable about autism but that you’re inspired by the incredible strengths of this very special group of individuals.
| Organization | Registration Link | |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Assist, Inc. | http://www.quorumlearning.com | Help@QuorumLearning.com |
Juggling Act — Schedules, Routines, and Transitions
Connect consistent, balanced schedules, routines, and transitions to enhance children’s emotional and social competence skills. Accomplish these connections through analysis of classroom challenges and plans for necessary changes. This course provides training suitable for individuals working within a learning environment designed for students from infancy to kindergarten.
| Organization | Registration Link | |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Assist, Inc. | http://www.quorumlearning.com | Help@QuorumLearning.com |
Challenging Behavior: Reveal the Meaning
Children express their needs through words, facial expressions, body language, and behavior. When communication is sent in the form of challenging behavior, understanding the message can be difficult. This course explores the ways children speak to us through behavior and examines the role teachers play in the two-way conversation. Participants will learn how to interpret children’s behavior, how to effectively teach social skills, how to develop an environment that supports cooperative and meaningful learning, and how to build partnerships with families. Through case studies, interactive learning activities, group discussion forums, and reflective writing exercises, participants gain a solid understanding of what challenging behaviors communicate and how best to respond. This course provides training suitable for any professional working within the early childhood education field or with young children, directors, family members, and parents.
| Organization | Registration Link | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Assist, Inc. | http://www.quorumlearning.com | 404-325-2225 | Help@QuorumLearning.com |
All About the ITERS-3: A Fun, Hands-On Overview of the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale for Improving Quality
This workshop series provides an overview of the ITERS-3 tool so that participants will be able to self-assess their own classrooms and set goals and timelines for quality improvement. (Please Note: This offering does not meet the BrightStars Learning Environments training requirement which begins at Level 2 in Standard 1: Learning Environment.)
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Consultant | Tracy Cheney, M. Ed. | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
All About the ECERS-3: A Fun, Hands-On Overview of the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale for Improving Quality
This workshop series provides an overview of the ECERS-3 tool so that participants will be able to self-assess their own classrooms and set goals and timelines for quality improvement. (Please Note: This offering does not meet the BrightStars Learning Environments training requirement which begins at Level 2 in Standard 1: Learning Environment.)
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Consultant | Tracy Cheney, M. Ed. | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
Essentials of Leadership in Early Childhood Education
Explore leadership competencies both broadly and in the early childhood setting. Leadership essentials include awareness of self, others, and the profession; communication and team-building skills; cultural competence; and ethical conduct. These characteristics are embedded in everything the leader does. Learn to address the challenges of being a leader through practical application of these concepts; learn to lead with integrity, inspiration, and purpose.
| Organization | Registration Link | |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Assist, Inc. | http://www.quorumlearning.com | Help@QuorumLearning.com |
How to Integrate Yoga in the Classroom and Appreciate the Benefits
This two-part training will introduce participants to the benefits of yoga, and offer poses and sequences that participants can incorporate into their classroom routines and activities.
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Consultant | Tracy Cheney, M. Ed. | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
From Food to Physical Activity
Participants will explore the importance of healthy eating, proper nutrition, and physical activity in the early childhood setting. The strategies for minimizing the development of childhood obesity issues will be identified. In addition, the topics of responding to and accommodating food allergies in young children will be addressed. This course will meet the new Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) training requirements for providers and teachers.
| Organization | Registration Link | |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Assist, Inc. | http://www.quorumlearning.com | Help@QuorumLearning.com |
CDA Planner
Prepare for the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential: build your portfolio, identify critical resources, and understand the necessary requirements for the CDA. This course guides participants through the entire CDA process. Upon course completion, participants will have prepared their documents and materials to apply for the CDA, and they will know what to expect out of the CDA Verification Visit and CDA Exam.
| Organization | Registration Link | |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Assist, Inc. | http://www.quorumlearning.com | Help@QuorumLearning.com |
Family Engagement: The Road to Better Outcomes for Children
Family engagement refers to the reciprocal relationship between families and early childhood educators. It occurs when families are purposefully included in the decisions, plans, and activities that promote their child’s learning. Research has shown that engaging families in their child’s education improves school readiness and later academic success. To implement successful family engagement practices, program staff need effective strategies to bring teachers, families, and community members together to support children. In this course, participants will learn the key characteristics of family engagement practices and research-based strategies to successfully engage families.
| Organization | Registration Link | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Assist, Inc. | http://www.quorumlearning.com | 404-325-2225 | Help@QuorumLearning.com |
Keeping Our Children Safe: Planning Ahead and Being Prepared
Create safe environments, plan for emergencies, and be prepared in case an emergency occurs. Participants will explore the elements of building and outdoor safety and how to identify potential hazards. Learn information about identifying hazardous, dangerous, and flammable materials and the safe handling and storage practices for these materials. Participants will also learn about the importance of emergency preparedness and response planning. Explore different types of emergencies and how to plan for them. The end of the course provides information on First Aid and CPR training. Through interactive learning activities, group discussion forums, classroom scenarios, and reflective writing exercises, participants will gain a solid understanding of creating safe classroom and outdoor environments, planning for emergencies, and learning how to respond to various emergency situations.
| Organization | Registration Link | |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Assist, Inc. | http://www.quorumlearning.com | Help@QuorumLearning.com |
Inspiring Creativity: All the World is a Stage
Explore how creativity develops through playful experiences, rather than concern for the finished product. Creativity is not talent, skill, or intelligence. It is about thinking, exploring, discovering, and imagining. Creativity is self-expression that arises out of interaction and exploration of self, others, culture, and environment. Through interactive learning activities, group discussion forums, classroom examples and videos, and reflective writing exercises, participants will learn how to inspire creativity through tasks and activities that engage children in learning that is targeted and fun.
| Organization | Registration Link | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Assist, Inc. | http://www.quorumlearning.com | 404-325-2225 | Help@QuorumLearning.com |
Engaged Teachers = Engage Children
Attendees will reflect upon how both their program’s goals as well as specific objectives for children influence the ways that engagement occurs in the classroom. Ways to provide intentional teaching opportunities through meaningful conversations with children will be discussed, as well as strategies for making connections with children who might be described as exhibiting challenging behaviors.
| Organization | Contact | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Consultant | Tracy Cheney | 401-585-4065 | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
Learning Environments: How Classroom Arrangement Impacts Behavior
Learn how to use the early childhood learning environment as a teaching strategy. Study arrangement of space and the impact of environment on emergent learning. Learn how the environment supports self-reliance, problem solving, and the competence of young children. This four-hour course provides training suitable for individuals working within a learning environment designed for students from infancy to kindergarten.
| Organization | Registration Link | |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Assist, Inc. | http://www.quorumlearning.com | Help@QuorumLearning.com |
Establishing and Sustaining Exceptional Relationships with Families: Going Beyond Johnny Had a Good Day
This training will help participants gain knowledge of basic communication skills to be applied in their daily interactions with families. In addition, participants will learn how to build and sustain relationships with families by providing strategies for communication in a variety of ways.
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Consultant | Tracy Cheney | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
All They Do is Play: It’s Never Just Playing, It’s Learning!
You’ve heard it, right? “Why aren’t you teaching my child something, all they do is play.” This training provides excellent responses to that question in empowering ways. We wil explore the 6 stages of play and how to best optimize each of those stages for learning.
| Organization | Contact | Phone Number | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Consultant | Tracy Cheney | 401-585-4065 | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
Implementing Quality Teams
Go to action with your “Quality Team.” This Intermediate-level course is designed to provide a structure and sequence to achieve quality improvement through teamwork. Participants will acquire tools and resources as they become more knowledgeable about utilizing a quality team. This course provides training suitable for teachers working with students from infancy to kindergarten, and administrators and other professionals working within a child care setting.
| Organization | Registration Link | |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Assist, Inc. | http://www.quorumlearning.com | Help@QuorumLearning.com |
Stop Overthinking!
When you spend time overthinking, then you are taking away time, energy, and attention on something that really deserves those more. By attending this training, you will learn hat we lose when we overthink, recognize the telltale signs that you are overthinking, and learn how to stop overthinking in less than 10 minutes.
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Consultant | Tracy Cheney, M. Ed. | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
Dramatic Play: It’s More than Just Housekeeping
This learning center offers so many fantastic opportunities to encourage language development, enhance social/emotional skills, and incorporate math, but it may have begun to feel a little stale. Come to this workshop to learn some new ideas to jazz this center up a bit, and still maintain some of the original intent of housekeeping. Careful and intentional observation and a little creativity on the teacher’s part will have this center exploding with new possibilities!
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Consultant | Tracy Cheney, M. Ed. | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
Making Transitions Magical
Transitions are teaching opportunities, and they abound in the early childhood classroom environment! They may be different than other learning opportunities in purpose, length and frequency, but they are just as important. By attending this workshop, teachers will learn some new strategies for transition times and be able to decide which type to use depending on the type of transition that is involved (e.g., arrival, waiting, active, quiet).
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Consultant | Tracy Cheney, M. Ed. | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
Character-Building: 10 Crucial Concepts Regarding Character Education for the Early Childhood Classroom
The early childhood years provide a solid foundation for what a child needs to learn regarding social, moral, and intellectual development. By attending this workshop, participants will learn how to develop the type of environment and daily learning opportunities that teach children character values such as respect, responsibility, and courtesy. Participants will share their own ideas for promoting character building, and will learn new strategies along the way to take back to their classrooms.
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracy Cheney, M. Ed. | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
Following the Leader
This workshop will explore various characteristics of leadership and how every early childhood professional (regardless of role or title) has a unique opportunity to be a leader in his/her own way. While there are certain universal qualities that all leaders embody, the early childhood field includes some unique traits that will be discussed and shared, including communication with families, advocacy work, and community involvement.
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Consultant | Tracy Cheney, M. Ed. | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
S.O.S. — Smiling on Stress
Who couldn’t benefit from lowering their stress level on the job, or in their personal life? This workshop will assist you in identifying some of your stress triggers and help you develop strategies to help you de-stress, both in the moment and as long-term goals. We will also discuss strategies that help not only adults de-stress, but children too, such as deep breathing, spending time outdoors on mindfulness walks, and yoga movements. One additional feature of these strategies is the art of aromatherapy, which will conclude the workshop.
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Consultant | Tracy Cheney, M. Ed. | tlcheney2@gmail.com |
Literacy Throughout the Day: Creating Literacy and Math-Rich Environments
Most early childhood classrooms already include Library and Writing Centers in their environments. This training will help teachers consider how every learning center can incorporate both literacy and math elements. Once a teacher begins to expand these components throughout the classroom, the teacher will also see how easy and fun it is to integrate these components into any lesson.
| Organization | Contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Education Consultant | Tracy Cheney, M. Ed. | tlcheney2@gmail.com |