Professional Development
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.
Starting Strong with Practice-Based Coaching
Discover strategies and tips to successfully launch Practice-Based Coaching (PBC) in your program.
Professional Development System Frameworks
Find information for states and territories working to meet the 2016 Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) regulations. These regulations are related to the six key professional development framework components.
Staff Recruitment and Retention
Explore this document to find examples of state systems and policies that support recruiting and retaining a highly qualified workforce. Also, find additional research and resources on the topic.
Early Childhood Workforce: Registries
In this resource, find out how state early childhood workforce registries work. Learn about the distinct functions they use to collect and share data on the early childhood workforce.
A Day in the Life of a Coach
Learn ways to prepare for the Practice-Based Coaching cycle. Also, find out what to consider for a coach's daily schedule. Explore the day in the life of a coach. Find tips and strategies to help coaches support early care and education staff.
Health and Safety Training Resources for Child Care Providers
Explore training and delivery methods used by states to train child care professionals. Also, find health and safety training resources, and state examples that show where to access training opportunities.
Early Care and Education Coaching: A Closer Look at Coaching Models in Child Care and Head Start
Discover what coaching in early childhood education (ECE) is all about. Find examples of delivery methods and coaching models. Learn how two states have incorporated coaching into their work.
Alignment Self-Assessment Tool: State Early Learning Standards and Head Start Child Outcomes
In this resource, learn how to align state early learning and development guidelines with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework. Use this tool to help early childhood sectors work better together.
Early Childhood Credential Planning and Implementation Guide
Explore this planning and implementation guide. Learn ways that state and territory teams can use it to help create or revise early childhood education credentials.