Providing high quality professional learning
Early Childhood Professional Learning (ECPL) is committed to providing high quality professional learning that is easily and equally accessible to IL early childhood educators in Preschool for All (PFA) and Preschool for All Expansion (PFAE) programs. The eLearning offered by ECPL consists of live/recorded webinars and online courses/modules. These eLearning opportunities are highlighted here.
Webinar Calendar
The Webinar Calendar gives you the ability to search our calendar using different criteria to assist you in selecting professional learning that supports your professional growth.
NOTE: Past ECPL recorded webinars are listed on our YouTube Channel.| Status | Webinar | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Open | Positive Solutions for Families | 9am - 2:30pm |
| Open | Intervention Techniques for Working with Trauma-impacted Young Children: Strategies for the Classroom and Other Settings | 4pm - 5:30pm |
| Open | Everyone Loves a Story! Effective Strategies for Engaging and Powerful Read-Alouds | 4pm - 5:30pm |
| Open | Anxiety; Why? | 4pm - 5:30pm |
| Open | Fine Motor- It's More Than Handwriting | 4pm - 5:30pm |
Archived ECPL Webinars - ECPL YouTube Channel
Early childhood educators have an opportunity to acquire foundational knowledge and improve their practice by viewing archived webinars on these topics:
- Administration & Leadership
- Language Arts/Literacy
- Assessment
- Professional Knowledge
- Curriculum
- Social/Emotional Development
- Diverse Learners
- STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics)
- Family & Community Engagement
Statewide PFA and PFAE Admin Virtual Forum Series
Early Childhood Professional Learning (ECPL), in partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education Early Childhood Development Department, will be sponsoring virtual sessions throughout the 2025-2026 school year addressing key topics to support administrators of Preschool for All and Preschool for All Expansion Programs.
2/18/26 - Administrator Forum V- Supporting Our Youngest Learners Experiencing Homelessness
3/18/26 - Administrator Forum VI- NAEYC’s New DAP + Playful Learning Develops STEM and More
These sessions are recorded and can be accessed on our YouTube channel.
Questions? Contact Early Childhood Professional Learning - ecpl@cntrmail.org or visit ISBE.net for schedule updates.
Early Childhood Online Administrator Academies
Early Childhood Professional Learning (ECPL) partners with the Illinois Principals Association (IPA) to offer free online Administrator Academies on early childhood topics.
12/10/25 - AA#1481: Administering High Quality ISBE Preschool for All Block Grant Programs - FULL
1/13/26 - AA#1883: ECE: Introduction to the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-3rd Edition (ECERS-3)
2/27/26 - AA#1925: ECE: Cultural & Linguistic Diversity in Early Childhood Education
Preschool English Learners - WIDA Consortium
Resources for preschool age multilingual children are now available on WIDA’s Teaching in PreK-3 webpage.
Additional information on the On Demand Resources from the WIDA Consortium.
Introduction to ECERS-3 On Demand Professional Learning
Introduction to the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale®, Third Edition (ECERS-3™) is used to assess early childhood program quality. An introduction to this tool is covered in a 2-part recording. ISBE and Gateways credit is available.
Pyramid Model - Online Modules
The Pyramid Model provides a framework for supporting Illinois' commitment to promoting healthy social-emotional growth for young children. ECPL provides free on demand access for PFA/PFAE program staff to these online courses: ePyramid Preschool modules; Practices to Reduce Suspension and Expulsion; Trauma-Informed Care and the Pyramid Model; and Wellness: Taking Care of Yourself. For more information, please contact Erin Kalanick and mention Early Childhood Professional Learning (ECPL).
Wellness: Taking Care of Yourself
Additional Resources:
ePyramid Preschool Modules Handbook for Leaders
Ed Leaders Network (ELN) - Online Courses
The Illinois Principals Association (IPA) has partnered with the Illinois State Board of Education to provide free access to Ed Leaders Network for all public-school educators in the state. Courses on early childhood topics include Creating Developmentally Appropriate Lesson Plans in Preschool Setting and Authentic Assessment in Early Childhood. More information