Professional Development

Child Care Professional Development

The positive impact adults have on children’s growth, learning and development is enhanced when they continue their own learning through professional development. Professional development is available for early care and education professionals working in centers, schools, and Family Child Care homes.

AFC's 2025-2026 Course Pamphlet

Action for Children provides a wide variety of professional development opportunities through classes, special training events, networking opportunities, study groups and more. Information about professional development scheduled by Action for Children can be found on the Ohio Professional Registry. Nearly all trainings offered through Action for Children are Ohio approved through Step Up to Quality (SUTQ). Explore Action for Children’s new course catalog, filled with information on trainings and events designed to support your growth and success. Discover our offerings and register with ease!

How to Register

Action for Children’s professional development trainings often require registration via OCCRRA or Eventbrite.

AFC's Training Policies

Training participants are expected to adhere to basic policies and guidelines when attending classes at Action for Children. Learn more below.

Bring Professional Development to You!

Low-cost onsite trainings from AFC

Action for Children has a catalog of over 80 Ohio Approved (OA) trainings to meet the needs of your program. These courses can be scheduled as private trainings at your program for a customized PD day.

Child Development Associate (CDA)

A CDA is a national credential that educators working with children birth to 5 and their families can earn by demonstrating their knowledge, skills and abilities in the early childhood education field. Action for Children offers a highly respected program to both center-based staff and home providers, which prepares child care professionals to apply to the Council for Professional Recognition and earn their CDAs. Earning a CDA allows you to:

  1. Advance your career

  2. Demonstrate your commitment to the ECE field

  3. Understand developmentally appropriate practices

  4. Increase your confidence

  5. Meet job and statewide requirements such as SUTQ

  6. Have access to scholarships

  7. Have the potential to earn more money through POWER Ohio

Pipeline for Early Childhood Educators

The Ohio State University – in partnership with the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College, and Action for Children – offers a unique opportunity for students currently working or planning to work in the early childhood education field in Franklin County.

The Pipeline for Early Childhood Educators program (previously known as the Early Childhood Education Professional Preparation Pipeline) provides full tuition to earn a bachelor’s degree in education. To be eligible, applicants must have completed an associate’s degree. Additionally, after students complete their bachelor of science in education degree at Ohio State, recipients are required to work three years in an early childhood setting in Franklin County. Recipients pursue one of two programs:

-Bachelor of Science in Education, Creative Pedagogies specialization (non-licensure)

-Bachelor of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education (licensure)

Attending In-Person Classes

Free parking is available at 1105 Schrock Avenue. Visitors are encouraged to park at the lot closest to the main entrance for easy access to the AFC office.

Visitors may enter through the reception area in Action for Children’s office.

Learn More

To learn more about professional development programs, visit the Ohio Professional Registry or contact Action for Children today.

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