Professional Development

The Collaboration provides a series of workshops each year to Oak Park and River Forest early childhood care and education programs. Sessions have covered developmentally appropriate practices, early literacy and early math skills, and social-emotional development. Our recent Symposium focused on the importance of compassion in early childhood education. 

The Collaboration provides group and individual advising and guidance to early childhood staff interested in furthering their education and training. This includes support in accessing:

• The Illinois Gateways Scholarship Program
• Illinois Professional Development Funds
• Great Strategy to Attract and Retain Teachers (START)

The Early Childhood Annual Symposium

A signature event of the Collaboration each winter, our annual Symposium provides an arena for educators, caregivers, parents, and anyone who works with young children to gain knowledge, perspective and practical skills in promoting positive learning experiences. Designed to be interactive and to promote networking amongst attendees, the Symposium includes a keynote address by a noted authority on that year’s theme and it offers a wide range of workshops. 

Asynchronous Credit

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have not only shifted to hosting many professional development sessions remotely, we’ve also created opportunities for educators to earn credits on their own time through asynchronous workshops. Asynchronous workshops are recorded workshops that educators can watch. To receive credit for participating in an asynchronous workshop, educators will need to complete an interaction form and a workshop evaluation form. Visit the 2021 Symposium page to view the asychronous workshops on offer. 

The Professional Development Committee

The Collaboration convenes and facilitates the Professional Development (PD) Committee, a group that designs and plans the annual symposium as well as the annual calendar of early childhood education workshops and professional development offerings. If you are interested in sharing your voice and expertise as a member of the PD Committee, contact us! You can also read a recent PD Committee newsletter, or see our many other committees.

Educators can Also Explore Additional Professional Development Opportunities at the links below:

• Town Square: Where Family Child Care Professionals Learn, Share and Thrive (in Partnership with Erikson Institute)
• Illinois STARNET Training Calendar
• Gateways to Opportunity iLearning Online Training