Welcome to Early Childhood Professional Learning

Early Childhood Professional Learning (ECPL) invites you to explore professional learning opportunities and resources for the Illinois Early Childhood workforce, especially those working in state funded programs. These offerings reflect the latest evidence based practices in Early Childhood education and the latest adult learning theories.

The Center: Early Childhood Professional Learning offers free access to the WIDA Early Years online learning modules.

What's New/Trending

FREE Coaching Services - Available for Preschool for All (PFA) Programs

Since 2010, Early Childhood Professional Learning (ECPL) has been funded by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to provide embedded professional development for PFA educators through the PFA Coaching Project.

For FY22 the PFA Coaching Project has some additional slots open allowing interested programs to access these services for FREE through an application process. A limited number of programs will be selected to participate based on application responses.

Applications are due at the close of business on August 13, 2021.

More Information and Application Link

Sharing A Vision Virtual Conference 2021

October 7-8, 2021

Registration is Now Open!

Early bird registration will close on 8/20/2021

Regular registration will close on 9/17/2021

Attendee Registration Form

Schedule At a Glance - Tentative

The NAEYC Virtual Annual Conference

Save the Date!!

November 7-9, 2021
Registration will open August 2021.

Special preview day November 6, 2021

More Information and Registration coming soon

2021-2022 School Year

Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)

Back to School 2021-2022
FAQ on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools

School Wellness
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Updates and Resources

Spring 2021 Return to In Person Lessons Learned

Early Childhood Guidance FAQ

Revised Public Health Guidance for Schools

FAQ for Schools

Continuing Education Resources (#keeplearning)

ISBE

Illinois State Board of Education Professional Development Calendar

ISBE Statewide PD Calendar

ISBE

Illinois Principals Association has partnered with the Illinois State Board of Education to provide access to Ed Leaders Network (ELN) for all public school educators in the state!

Ed Leaders Network (ELN) Site

IPA

Early Childhood Professional Learning

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About Us

Early Childhood Professional Learning (ECPL)

Early Childhood Professional Learning (ECPL) provides free professional development and resources to support the Illinois State Board of Education funded preschool programs in implementing evidence-based practices that improve outcomes for young children and their families.

Professional Learning

Free workshops, webinars, and resources

In order to provide high quality learning experiences for young children, the Early Childhood workforce needs to be engaged in ongoing professional learning.

Partners

Organizations Supporting Evidence Based Practices in Early Childhood

The websites of these organizations contain information about professional learning or resources that support the Early Childhood Workforce. Featured news from these organizations is highlighted.

Resources

Search the resources

Valuable Early Childhood teaching resources: websites, videos, articles/books, online learning, tool kits and forms.

WIDA Early Years

The modules can be used in staff development sessions and/or shared with individual educators or teams of educators, such as those engaged in professional learning communities.

ISBE and The Center: Early Childhood Professional Learning are excited to announce that the early care and education community now has access to the WIDA Early Years online learning modules.

Learning at Home

Explore Learning at Home Activities

Families are the primary caregivers and educators of young children. Learning at Home focuses on resources and activities that support teachers and families working together to help young children learn and develop. The resources for teachers include guidance and recommendations for partnering with families to support learning at home. The activities for families are designed to be done easily during daily routines and with simple materials.

PFA Coaching Project

Job embedded professional development

The Coaching Project promotes engagement in continuous quality improvement to facilitate best practices in Preschool for All classrooms throughout the state.

Illinois Early Childhood (MTSS) Multi-Tiered System of Supports

High quality system of supports focused on the whole child

MTSS Definition in Illinois: Multi-Tiered System of Supports is a framework for continuous improvement that is systemic, prevention focused, and data-informed, providing a coherent continuum of supports responsive to meet the needs of all learners. (IL-MTSS Network)

EClearningIL.org