California offers various professional development resources provided by the Early Learning and Care Division (ELCD) to train professionals in the childcare field, including the Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC), which leads institutes for child care professionals on topics such as social-emotional development, quality group care, cognitive and language development, and cultural and family issues. The PITC program offers subsidized on-site training, mentoring and coaching to eligible child care programs in California. Through these programs, care providers, teachers, program directors and home visitors can access interactive training services and events, technical assistance, and coaching. Companion CDE resources are also available to in-home and family child care providers, infant/toddler care teachers, program directors and home visitors. There is also an Academy for Family Child Care (FCC), which includes a six-session virtual training on the unique assets and challenges of FCC and specialized training to support infant/toddler care.
Sources:
California Department of Education. (n.d.). Professional Development Training.
Program for Infant Toddler Care. (n.d.).
Connections to Key Early Learning Study at Harvard (ELS@H) Findings:
The early education workforce is the foundation upon which all daily work and any expansion and quality improvement efforts rest. Research suggests that states and cities should invest in the workforce across all early education setting types, focusing on enhancing educators’ professional learning,Professional learning: Learning and support activities (e.g., coaching) that help develop educators’ competencies and skills. compensation, and workplace conditions.
Findings from the Early Learning Study at Harvard (ELS@H) show:
- Early educators play a critical role in supporting the well-being of young children and families across setting types.
- Yet their pay, benefits, and other professional supports are often inadequate in light of the job demands and their cost of living.