Professional Development for Childcare Providers
Unleash your potential with comprehensive training.
From immersive in-person classes to convenient online workshops, we offer a spectrum of training formats. Our Child Development Associate (CDA) program stands as a testament to our commitment to nurturing child care professionals. With certificate courses covering all requisite content areas for maintaining New York State child care licensure, our professional development for childcare workers ensures your compliance while fostering continuous learning.
Lifelong Learning Opportunities
Course Calendar
Courses are taught at Child Care Council offices or, for child care centers in Monroe, Livingston, and Wayne counties, at your site. Our professional development programs cover all the crucial areas needed to maintain your NYS child care license or registration.
Explore our course calendar for the latest offerings then follow the steps below to take the next step in your professional journey today!
Step 1: Registration
View and register for classes
Step 2: Payment
After registration, please make your payment:
*Please contact us if you need to register offline.
For series classes such as Health & Safety, First Aid & CPR, or CDA, only the first night of class will be displayed on the calendar. Check the class notes for all dates and times, and only sign up for a series if you can attend all sessions.
Successful online registration will generate a system email with class details, fee information, and a payment link. If you are applying for EIP, CSEA, or other scholarships, contact us at (585) 654-4720.
Specialized Training
Pyramid Model Training
Drawing from data spanning over a decade, the Pyramid Model stands as a powerful framework for early care and education systems. This model is designed to deliver universal support for all children, targeted services for those requiring additional assistance, and intensive services for those in critical need.
CDA Training
We offer a variety of courses year-round, designed to help obtain or renew your CDA (Child Development Associate) credential. Our childcare professional development training programs are tailored to keep you updated with the latest knowledge and skills required for success.
NYS Infant & Toddler Practice Based Coaching
Our Infant Toddler and Education Specialists offer coaching for family child care providers and center classroom staff. Practice-based coaching is a cyclical process for guiding practitioners’ use of evidence-based practices for promoting positive outcomes.
Paying for Your Education
Apply for Child Care Scholarships
There are scholarships available for individuals currently working in a registered or licensed child care facility. These are based on income and eligibility. To apply, visit The Professional Development Program (albany.edu)
Apply for a CCC Start Bright Scholarship
The Start Bright Scholarship funds are intended to support enrolled, registered, or licensed child care providers or staff approved in a registered or licensed child care setting to increase their knowledge and experience through professional development opportunities.
This scholarship is intended for individuals currently working in a registered or licensed child care program and may not qualify for the EIP or CSEA funding available. Applicants must meet the income requirements and provide documentation of employment.
Additional Services
Technical Assistance and Coaching
The NYS Office of Children and Family Services provides funding to our agency to give FREE basic and intensive technical assistance to licensed or registered providers and programs who are in the process of becoming licensed/registered child care providers.
These topics include, but are not limited to:
- Best practices for providing child care
- Indicators of quality child care programs
- Providing services that programs need to achieve the goals of their QUALITYstarsNY Quality Improvement Plan
- Information on business administration practices and regulations governing program compliance issues specific to that program
Our Education Specialists are available by phone, by email, and in person at our offices or at your child care program. We are flexible to be able to serve you during your program hours in the home or classroom, or during the evenings or Saturdays as well.
Contact us for more information on this program →
Child Care Virtual Learning
There are FREE online training options for providers through the Professional Development Program at the University of Albany. Learn more about e-Learning opportunities.
Online learning is one way to obtain training. The NYS Office of Children and Family Services issued a policy on how distance learning courses can be used to satisfy OCFS training requirements. Online learning courses that are non-credit bearing and approved by OCFS may be used to satisfy OCFS child care provider training requirements. There may be a fee for these courses. However, approved courses may qualify for Educational Incentive Program (EIP) funding.
Go to OCFS-approved distance learning courses to choose courses that are right for you. Additional distance learning courses and organizations will be added to the site as determinations are made.
Looking for something else?
Check out our Provider Resources, or use the form below to request assistance.
