Excellence in early childhood education (ECE) programs is built on a workforce that promotes continuous program improvement. Professional development is a cornerstone of this process. It includes gaining new knowledge, skills, and abilities, along with experience and competencies that relate to one’s profession, job responsibilities, or work environment. ECE programs and staff must address three areas: Professional Development Systems; Foundation for Staff Development; and Individual Career Development. Resources are organized within these areas to promote easy access to the information you need.
It takes a village to raise a child. Likewise, it takes the collective efforts of many to develop resources and support those who teach and advocate for children. Below are links to federal offices, national organizations, and research institutions where you will find more resources regarding professional development.
The Crosswalk of the 15-Minute In-service Suites with the CLASS® connects teaching practices and learning activities found in these in-service suites with the domains and dimensions of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)®. Head Start grantees may find this tool useful in planning professional development.
Learn about the importance of building relationships with infants, toddlers, and their families in Head Start programs.
Read the standards for using a systematic approach to training and professional development that is designed to assist staff in acquiring or increasing the knowledge and skills needed to provide Head Start services.
Excellence in early childhood education programs is built on a workforce that promotes continuous program improvement.
Explore the Early Educator Central website. Find resources that support infant-toddler educators as they work along their career pathway. Browse materials for administrators, trainers and coaches, and professional development system leaders.
These 15-minute In-service Suites are a professional development resource for staff in busy, active early childhood centers and programs. They are organized around one topic or big idea and address effective teaching and assessment practices.
Learn teaching practices to encourage language development in English and home languages for children who are learning more than one language. Practices include having responsive conversations, teaching new vocabulary, and building relationships with parents that support language development.
Explore excerpts from the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) around staff qualifications.
This resource lists key adult learning principles as outlined by Malcom Knowles in his "Theory of Adult Learning".