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NEIGHBORHOOD and COMMUNITY SERVICES
Early Childhood Professional Learning
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August 2026 Professional Learning
Below is information on upcoming virtual and in-person professional development opportunities. Detailed descriptions and registration information can be found at: fairfaxcounty.gov/EarlyChildhood. Monthly emails, including registration links, will be sent when registration opens.
To receive a certificate for in-person or webinar courses, please be sure to review the following requirements:
- To receive credit for a series with two meetings, you must attend both sessions.
- For series requiring three or four meetings, you must attend all sessions to receive credit.
- A 15-minute grace period is allowed; however, certificates will not be issued if you miss more than 15 minutes of the session.
- Certificates will be issued within 2-4 business days.
- If you can no longer attend a training you have registered for, please email NCSchildcareclasses@fairfaxcounty.gov before the scheduled date and time.
You can find references to the CDA Subject Areas, Virginia Early Learning Development Standards (VELDS), and CLASS under each Professional Learning course. Additionally, a reference to the CDA Subject Area is included at the bottom of this email.
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Leadership often requires moving through situations that cannot be quickly fixed or controlled. This two-part series explores psychological flexibility—the capacity to stay present, make room for difficult thoughts and emotions, and choose responses aligned with one’s values rather than reacting automatically to stress. Through reflection, mindfulness, discussion, and practical application, leaders will explore how creating space between what happens and what they do next can support greater clarity, steadiness, and intention.
CDA Area: 6
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
PreK: Classroom Organization
Dimension(s):
PreK: Productivity
Instructor: Bernice Mayfield & Debbie Weigand
Date: Tuesdays, 8/4 & 8/18
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
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This four-part leadership series explores how intentional leadership shapes thriving early childhood communities. Inspired by the philosophy of Breathe For Change and grounded in adult social-emotional learning, participants will discover how presence, facilitation, reflection, and meaningful relationships create the foundation for a positive organizational culture.
CDA Areas: 5 & 6
VELDS: Social and Emotional Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
PreK: Classroom Organization
Dimension(s):
PreK: Productivity
Instructors: Bernice Mayfield & Debbie Weigand
Date: Wednesdays, 8/5, 8/12, 8/19, & 8/26
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
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Documentation is a powerful tool that many educators find challenging to incorporate into their practice. In this training, we will unpack documentation myths and uncover what documentation is and what it is not. Participants will explore the many benefits of the documentation process and learn how to incorporate it into their practice. Documentation can take many forms, but ultimately it is a process, not a product!
CDA Areas: 2, 3 & 7
VELDS: Approaches to Play & Learning
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional and Behavioral Support & Engaged Support for Learning
PreK: Emotional Support & Instructional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Facilitated Exploration
Toddler: Regard for Child Perspectives, Facilitation of Learning and Development & Quality of Feedback
PreK: Regard for Student Perspectives, Concept Development & Quality of Feedback
Instructor: Melody Passemante Powell
Date: Tuesday, 8/11
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
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Todos los educadores atraviesan momentos en los que el cansancio y los desafíos y las demandas diarias pueden disminuir la energía y hacer que sea difícil recordar el propósito que los llevó a esta profesión. En esta experiencia de aprendizaje, los participantes exploraran estrategias respaldadas por la investigación para fortalecer su bienestar, resiliencia y motivación a través de una combinación de sesiones en vivo y aprendizaje entre sesiones para reflexión y la aplicación práctica. Al finalizar, cada participante contará con herramientas concretas y un plan personal para afrontar los días difíciles con mayor confianza.
Áreas de CDA: 1& 3
VELDS: Desarrollo Social y Emocional
Apoyo de CLASS
Dominio(s):
Bebe: Cuidado Sensible
Niño pequeño: Apoyo Emocional y Conductual
PreK: Apoyo Emocional
Dimensión(es):
Bebe: Clima Relacional
Niño pequeño: Clima Positivo
PreK: Clima Positivo
Instructora: Lisseth Palacios
Fecha: martes 4 y 18 de agosto
Hora: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
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Participants will learn about the importance of incorporating fire safety education into their classroom setting on a year-round basis. Discussion of concepts, current Fire and Rescue Department programs, and educator resources will be provided.
CDA Area: 1 & 5
Instructors: Candice Johnson and Liew Wyleng
Date: Wednesday, 8/4
Time: 7: 00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
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In this 6-hour course participants will focus on the importance of intentional teaching and providing responsive care to multi-age groups of children in their homes. Family child care educators will increase their knowledge of child development and how to implement daily learning experiences that are meaningful and beneficial for children. In addition, participants will learn how children benefit from planned activities that are responsive to children’s interests and include age-appropriate materials and a child-friendly environment.
You must attend all three sessions to receive a certificate. After completing each session, you will be sent a link to register for the next class.
CDA Area: 2
Instructor: Ginny Holloway
Date: Thursdays, 8/6, 8/13, & 8/20
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
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Mandatory training prior to starting the CACFP, to be repeated once per contract year. This course is offered by invitation only. This one-hour course will cover the purpose of the Child and Adult Care Food Program and explore record keeping requirements. It will review meal requirements for infants and children, as well as what to expect from your monitoring visits. Participants will also understand the civil rights requirements for family day home participation in the CACFP.
CDA Area: 5
Instructor: Dana Haynes-Lovelace
Date: Wednesday, 8/19
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Invitation will be sent by email.
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Capacitación obligatoria antes de comenzar el CACFP, que debe repetirse una vez por cada año de contrato. Este curso se ofrece únicamente por invitación.
Este curso de una hora cubrirá el propósito del Programa de Alimentos para Niños y Adultos, se revisará los requisitos de mantenimiento de registros. También se revisará los requisitos de comidas para bebés y niños, así como lo que puede esperar durante las visitas de monitoreo. Además, los participantes comprenderán los requisitos de derechos civiles para la participación en el CACFP en hogares de cuidado de niños.
Área de CDA: 5
Instructora: Patricia Quezada Palomino
Fecha: miércoles, 19 de agosto
Hora: 7:00 p. m. – 8:00 p.m.
La invitación se enviará por correo electrónico.
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Are you interested in strengthening your family child care program and learning strategies to help your business thrive? Join us for a one-hour virtual information session to learn about the Family Child Care Academy: Launching & Sustaining Your Child Care Business. During this session, we will provide an overview of the Academy, a three-month, hands-on training series designed to support family child care providers in building and maintaining a high-quality child care program. You'll learn what to expect from the Academy, the topics that will be covered, the time commitment, and how participation can benefit both you and your program.
Instructors: Leah Pagala, Stephanie Barker, Heather Gutierrez, Tracey Medley Brown, Kaylea Kim
Date: Thursday, 8/13
Time: 6: 30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
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This hands-on training series is designed to support early childhood educators in building high-quality childcare program by fine-tuning the essential components that create a thriving learning environment.
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Practical insights and strategies for designing a positive physical environment.
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Establishing strong routines and schedules.
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Mastering key administrative practices.
Through a blend of theory, hands-on activities and real-life applications, this series will equip child care providers with the skills needed to enhance programs and foster a nurturing, organized and effective learning environment!
August 29th - November 14th, 2026
Sessions will meet virtually for eight Wednesdays and in-person on four Saturdays at:
Fairfax County Pennino Building (3 sessions)
12011 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax, VA 22035
Lorton Community Center (1 session)1
9520 Richmond Hwy, Lorton, VA 22079
All participants will be asked to commit to the entire program once enrolled.
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NEW! -
The Institute for Early Learning works to offer professional development that is relevant, responsive, and grounded in equity—and your input helps make that possible! Please use this form to share the topics and opportunities that would best support you. While we may not be able to fulfill every request, your feedback directly shapes our planning and helps us better meet the needs of our early childhood community.
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