In family child care, staying current with best practices and evolving strategies is critical for providing the highest quality care to young children. Ongoing training is essential for caregivers, educators, and advocates, as it helps them remain informed about regulations and innovative approaches that enhance our work and benefit the families they serve. The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) recognizes this important need, which is why we are excited to highlight our Professional Development Academy.
Starting in November 2024, we will resume live training sessions, offering an engaging opportunity to connect with fellow educators and experts in the field. However, you don’t have to wait to take advantage of our wealth of on-demand training options available right now. These courses are designed to provide flexible, relationship-based support for family child care educators, making it easier for you to prioritize your professional growth on your own schedule.
Among our diverse training offerings, you can explore critical topics such as identifying and supporting all children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, which will equip you with strategies to foster inclusive environments. Another option is creating outdoor learning environments, where you’ll discover how to utilize outdoor spaces for play and learning, promoting healthy development in young children. Additionally, our training on using AI to grow your business can help you leverage technology effectively, ensuring your family child care program thrives in today’s digital landscape. Other valuable sessions cover essential areas like hiring employees and understanding tax deductions—practical knowledge that can directly impact your daily operations and overall success.
Each completed training comes with the opportunity to earn a certificate, reflecting your commitment to professional development. You can easily print your certificates once you’ve finished a course, allowing you to showcase your achievements. Plus, all your completed trainings can be tracked conveniently on your personalized dashboard, making it simple to monitor your progress.
For those looking to earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs), our e-learning platform offers up to 48 hours of CEUs. Certificates for CEUs are available immediately for print after participants have completed the training workshop (via dashboard).
Our Professional Development Academy is available to both members and non-members, emphasizing our commitment to fostering a knowledgeable and skilled workforce in family child care. As a special benefit, Ambassador and Life-Time members enjoy one free training per membership year, while Executive members receive two free trainings annually. This initiative is our way of supporting your ongoing education and ensuring that you have access to high-quality training resources.
We encourage all family child care educators to take advantage of these opportunities. Investing in your professional development not only enhances your skills but also significantly benefits the children in your care.
Access NAFCC’s full Professional Development Academy here.
