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NEIGHBORHOOD and COMMUNITY SERVICES
Early Childhood Professional Learning
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October 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.
Registration for professional development courses is completed through the Early Learning Management System (ELMS). Monthly emails will be sent when course registration opens, including information on how to access ELMS and enroll in available courses.
To receive a certificate for in-person or webinar courses, please be sure to review the following requirements:
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To receive credit for a series, you must attend all required session, whether the series includes two, three, four or more sessions.
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A 15-minute grace period is allowed; however, certificates will not be issued if you miss more than 15 minutes of the session.
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Certificates will be issued within 2-4 business days.
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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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. Click to edit this placeholder text.
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Mind in the Making by Ellen Galinsky is a researched-based book describing seven skills children need to succeed in life. Children need to know how to focus, take on challenges, and think critically. Using Galinsky’s book as our guide, we will read each chapter and reflect on each life skill as it relates to ourselves, and the children we support. Through group reflection, each participant will determine which skills to focus on with their students and create an actionable plan to support the children in their care better.
CDA Areas: 2, 3, & 8
VELDS: Cognitive Development
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Toddler: Emotional & Behavioral Support
PreK: Classroom Organization
Dimension(s):
Toddler: Behavior Guidance
PreK: Behavior Management
Instructor: Melody Passemante Powell
Dates: Tuesdays 10/6, 10/13, 10/20 & 10/27
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
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As the seasons change and children and educators begin spending more time indoors, early childhood leaders can play an important role in keeping movement, energy, and well-being part of the daily experience. This Power of Leadership series will explore practical ways leaders can support active learning, physical movement, and healthy routines for both children and adults.
Participants will consider how movement supports children's development, engagement, self-regulation, and learning, while also examining how workplace routines and program culture can encourage educators to move, recharge, and care for their own well-being. Through discussion, reflection, and practical examples, leaders will identify simple strategies they can use to create environments where both children and educators have opportunities to move throughout the day.
CDA Areas: 2 & 3
VELDS: Social and Emotional Development, Health and Physical Development, Approaches to Play and Learning
CLASS Support
Domain(s):
Infant: Responsive Caregiving
Toddler: Emotional and Behavioral Support
Pre-K: Emotional Support
Dimension(s):
Infant: Relational Climate
Toddler: Positive Climate
Pre-K: Positive Climate
Instructors: Bernice Mayfield and Debbie Weigand
Dates: Wednesdays, 10/7, 10/14, 10/21 & 10/28
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
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En Alimentación Saludable para Niños de 1 a 12 Años, aprenderá sobre las necesidades nutricionales de los niños de 1 a 12 años, las responsabilidades a la hora de comer, la seguridad alimentaria, y la planificación de menús según los requisitos del Patrón de Comidas para apoyar hábitos alimenticios saludables.
CDA Area: 2
Instructor: Emily Vivian
Fecha: viernes, 2 de octubre
Hora: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30p.m.
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By invitation only for Permitted Child Care Providers. Join us as we show appreciation for the wonderful work permitted family child care providers do every day. This event will take place at the Lorton Community Center.
CDA Area: 5 & 6
Instructor: CEPS Staff
Date: Saturday, 10/3
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Invitation and Registration Information will be sent via email.
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En este curso de seis horas, los participantes se enfocarán en la importancia de la enseñanza intencional y el cuidado responsivo para los niños en su programa. Los educadores de cuidado familiar infantil aumentaran sus conocimientos sobre el desarrollo infantil y como implementar experiencias de aprendizaje diario que sean significativas y beneficiosas para los niños. Además, los participantes aprenderán como los niños se benefician de las actividades planificadas que responden a los intereses de los niños e incluyen materiales apropiados para su edad y un entorno acogedora para los niños. Los proveedores deben asistir a las tres sesiones.
Área de CDA: 2
Instructora: Ana Hoover
Fecha: martes 13, 20 y 27 de
octubre Hora: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
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In the Healthy Eating for Children Ages 1-12 Years webinar, you will learn about the nutritional needs of children from ages 1-12 years, mealtime responsibilities, food safety, and menu planning based on Child Meal Pattern requirements to support healthy eating habits.
CDA Area: 2
Instructor: Gene Anderson
Date: Tuesday, 10/13
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
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Please join us, as we celebrate a very special training, “Eat & Run!”. Explore physical fitness and healthy foods as we craft, incorporate music and movement, and prepare healthy snacks that children will love!
CDA Area: 2
Instructor: CEPS Staff
Date: Saturday, 10/17
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
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Do you know what is required to apply for funding? Would you like to apply for funding but have no clear idea as to what documentation is needed or why they are important to the financing process? Do you need to prepare a grant or loan package and need guidance in preparing it? If you would like to apply for business funding, then this workshop is for you!
CDA Area: 5
Instructors: Karlene Sinclair-Robinson and Kathryn Walker
Date: Tuesday, 10/20
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: Kristy Savoy
Date: Wednesday, 10/21
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, 10/21
Hora: 7:00p. m. – 8:00p.m.
La invitación se enviará por correo electrónico.
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The last few years have tested our emergency preparedness skills. In this webinar participants will learn how to enhance their emergency response plan by discussing strategies for communication, evacuation, and essential supplies needed to withstand any disaster.
CDA Area: 5
Instructor: Courtney Arroyo
Date: Tuesday, 10/27
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
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