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 offered for Early Care and Education Professionals working in Centers, Schools, and Family Child Care homes.


Professional Development Trainings 

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 (SUTQ).

View December 2023 trainings

 

The Professional Development Planning Toolkit will help guide you in creating intentional development plans that set you up for success! Watch our three-part “Making and Managing Professional Development Plans” series on YouTube below and download the Professional Development Planning toolkit to use on your own or with your child care staff. (Zipped file)

For additional information about Professional Development, please email PD@actionforchildren.org.

Learn more about how to register for trainings and view our Professional Development Training Policies.

Learn more about becoming part of the Ohio Professional Registry, or call the Ohio Child Care Resources and Referral Association (OCCRRA) at 614.396.5959.

 

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 well-respected program to both center-based staff and home providers.

Curious about the benefits and why you should consider a CDA?

  • Advance your career
  • Demonstrate your commitment to the ECE field
  • Understand developmentally appropriate practices
  • Increase your confidence
  • Meet job and statewide requirements like Step Up To Quality
  • Scholarship available
  • Potential to earn more money through POWER Ohio

Action for Children’s Gold Standard program will prepare you to apply to the Council for Professional Recognition to earn your CDA! If you are interested in learning more or participating in this program please contact Tammy Freeman at 614-224-0222 ext. 101.

 

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, Ohio.

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 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)

For more information, click here.

Requirements

  • Highest degree earned is an associate’s degree. Individuals with a completed bachelor’s degree are not eligible for this opportunity
  • Current or future employment in early childhood education (preschool, school, daycare, etc.)
  • Commitment to work in Franklin County in early childhood for three years after graduation
  • Must be an Ohio resident

 

In-Person Classes

For evening and Saturday classes please enter our building through the back door. Please check in at the front desk when you arrive. The temperature in our classrooms sometimes fluctuates, so dress in layers so that you will be comfortable! For classes that last all day, it is recommended that you bring a packed lunch.

Parking

When attending classes during business hours, visitors have a few parking options:

    • Free 3-hour limit parking is available directly in front of our building and on the opposite side of the green space on Jefferson Ave.
      • Except for limited accessible parking, guests are not permitted to park behind the building. Please reach out to PD@actionforchildren.org if you need additional assistance with accessible parking.
    • ​Parking is not permitted in the Jefferson Avenue Center lot ​(corner of Long St. and Jefferson Avenue).