Child Care Action Council

Virtual-Rethinking Exclusion
2026-04-30 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Denver)
Rethinking Exclusion

Exclusionary discipline practices—like suspension and expulsion—can have profound and lasting impacts on young children, families, and early learning communities. Together we will examine current trends and disproportionate impacts around exclusion in early childhood programs, understand the developmental and academic consequences of exclusion, and explore practical strategies to prevent exclusionary discipline. @public

Instructor: Ollie Feldman

VIRTUAL Customer Service Through the Child Care Lens
2026-04-15 18:30 - 20:30
VIRTUAL Customer Service Through the Child Care Lens

As consumers, we base our purchasing decisions at least in part on the customer service we receive from businesses. The same is true for parents who are in the market for child care. Every child care provider is in the customer service business and that service can make or break the child care. Let’s discuss what good service looks and sounds like! After registering for class, a link will be sent to register in Zoom @public

Instructor: Rose Tiller

VIRTUAL Boxes, Baskets and Elevations: How Toddlers Develop their Curiosity Through Open-ended Play
2026-04-14 18:30 - 20:30
VIRTUAL Boxes, Baskets and Elevations: How Toddlers Develop their Curiosity Through Open-ended Play

Come and join us to think about encouraging curiosity and learning using open-ended loose parts. How can we facilitate children’s natural curiosities as teachers and use these opportunities to offer opportunities to toddlers to build new skills and ideas? How can we document this learning adventure to see what ideas might come next? Bring your open mind and imagination and see what can magically happen!! After registering for class, a link will be sent to register in Zoom @public

Instructor: Amy Stevens

Making the most of Meetings
2026-03-26 18:30 - 20:30 | CCAC Griffin Lane, 3729 Griffin Lane SE, Olympia, WA, 98501, United States
Making the most of Meetings

Meetings are the glue that hold childcare center together. Whether they are weekly, monthly, quarterly, directors rely on meetings as the primary vehicle for communicating information, promoting professional growth, solving problems and building a sense of community. This class will provide the framework for planning and conducting more engaging and productive meetings. Participants will learn how to increase a group’s commitment to shared goals, arrive a decisions supported by everyone, and have more fun in the process.

Instructor: Amy Stevens

Virtual-Tiny Humans, Big Tech: Navigating Screens in Early Childhood
2026-03-16 18:30 - 20:30
Tiny Humans, Big Tech: Navigating Screens in Early Childhood

In today’s digital world, screens are part of children’s daily lives—but how do they shape early learning, development, and behavior? This class explores the latest research on screen use in infancy through early elementary years, translating evidence into practical guidance for educators and caregivers. Participants will examine how screen time affects attention, language, social-emotional growth, and executive function, and learn strategies for creating healthy media habits in homes and classrooms. Through discussion, real-world examples, and reflective activities, attendees will gain tools to evaluate digital content, balance screen use with play-based learning, and partner with families on developmentally informed tech practices. Whether you’re an educator, administrator, or parent, this session provides a balanced, research-driven approach to supporting young children in a digital age. @public

Instructor: Rose Tiller

Tools for Powerful Play
2026-03-12 18:30 - 20:30 | CCAC Kitsap Office, 3513 NW Anderson Hill RD, Silverdale, WA, 98383
Tools for Powerful Play

In this class, participants will explore how to thoughtfully select and organize classroom toys and materials to support high-quality learning environments. Using the ITERS and ECERS tools as guiding frameworks, participants will deepen their understanding of how classroom materials impact developmental outcomes, daily routines, and classroom quality ratings. Whether preparing for rating or simply aiming to improve their classroom setup, this session will empower educators to make informed, intentional choices that support children’s needs and elevate the learning environment.

Instructor Ollie Feldman

Virtual-*Directors-Reflective Supervision
2026-03-10 18:30 - 20:30
Reflective Supervision

This class supports the Early Achievers Quality Standards by addressing Instructional Leadership in the area of Interactions and Curriculum. Today’s early learning environment requires continuous quality improvement and that calls upon early childhood educators to reflect on what they do and why they do it. Come and discuss how supervisors can promote a relationship-based workplace and build job-embedded reflective supervision practices into their mentoring of staff members. This content will define reflective supervision, explain the process, offer examples, and provide supervisors with time to discuss challenges and solutions. @public

Instructor: Heidi DeVries

Virtual-Trauma Aware Early Learning
2026-02-19 18:30 - 20:30
Trauma Aware Early Learning

It’s the little boy who bangs his head on the wall. It’s the 4-year-old girl who throws the chair in anger. It’s the 2-year-old who hits, bites, pushes, and falls down in a rapid melt-down. These could be the faces of traumatized children. Come explore the impact of trauma on children and gain insight into why some children behave the way they do. Even if you don’t know the source of the trauma, you can use what you observe to support harmed children in a “trauma-informed” manner. This is an advanced class for those ready to reflect on the complex root sources of behavior, as they relate to trauma. @public

Instructor: Heidi DeVries

Welcoming LGBTQ+ Families
2026-02-12 18:30 - 20:30 | CCAC Griffin Lane, 3729 Griffin Lane SE, Olympia, WA, 98501, United States
Welcoming LGBTQ+ Families

Families of all kinds are essential to children’s well-being. When any parents or guardians are discussed, whether they are heterosexual, gay, adoptive, kinship, single, or married, early childhood professionals are simply discussing family. In this training, we will discuss what it means to be an LGBTQ+ supporter and discuss strategies to create a welcoming LGBTQ+ learning environment that is inclusive to all children and families.

Instructor: Ollie Feldman

Virtual-Working with Children and Youth Who Challenge Us
2026-02-09 18:30 - 20:30
Working with Children and Youth Who Challenge Us

Have you ever been secretly pleased when one of the children in your group is absent? The temperaments of some children, when combined with our own temperaments, make relationships especially hard. This class will help you take an honest look at children and your feelings about them. Explore what professionals can do to build positive relationships with all children, even the ones who challenge us. @public

Instructor: Rose Tiller

STEM Outdoor Environments
2026-02-04 18:30 - 20:30 | CCAC Kitsap Office, 3513 NW Anderson Hill RD, Silverdale, WA, 98383
STEM Outdoor Environments

Children become totally engrossed in creative outdoor play when we provide more than stationary playground equipment and ground cover! This class will inspire you with ideas for enriching your outdoor space with loose parts and natural elements that promote more complex play and exploration of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). This is the time of year for outdoor fun – let’s get creative!

Instructor: Amy Stevens

Virtual-Purple Crying
2026-01-29 18:30 - 20:30
Purple Crying

Learn ways to support families of children in your care who have, or will soon have, infants in the home. You will engage in memorable activities as you learn about what experts call the Period of PURPLE Crying, and how you can be a key playerin passing along information to families about excessive crying in normal infants and strategies for soothing infants and themselves. @public

Instructor: Rose Tiller

Through the Eyes of a Child: A Look at Teacher Sensitivity
2026-01-27 18:30 - 20:30 | CCAC Griffin Lane, 3729 Griffin Lane SE, Olympia, WA, 98501, United States
Through the Eyes of a Child: A Look at Teacher Sensitivity

As caregivers, we try to be sensitive to children’s needs, but sometimes our adult eyes miss the point! In group care, it’s all too easy to get consumed with our own teaching objectives and forget the children’s points of view. Come refresh your perspective about what’s most important and leave this class motivated to improve your awareness of, and responsivity to, the children in your care.

Instructor: Ollie Feldman

NEW-VIRTUAL Advocacy for Early Learning: How Engaging Washington State Government for Early Learning Impact
2026-01-20 18:30 - 20:00
Advocacy for Early Learning: How Engaging Washington State Government for Early Learning Impact

Early learning professionals are powerful advocates for children and families, but understanding where to start can be overwhelming. This training introduces participants to the basics of Washington State government, and provides a simple, straightforward look at how Washington’s lawmaking process really works. You’ll learn how bills move through the Legislature, how decisions get made, and how those choices impact your program and the families you serve. We’ll walk through easy, practical ways to engage with your legislators like emailing your lawmakers, sharing your story, or giving quick testimony. We also will discuss upcoming bills that are being considered in 2026 that could impact early learning. @public

Guest Instructor: Hazel Brown, Policy, Advocacy, and Research Manager

Virtual-Help! It’s Transition Time
2026-01-13 18:30 - 20:30
Help! It’s transition time

Transitioning from one activity to the next can be especially difficult for some children. Challenging behavior, large classes, and tight schedules can make transition time difficult for teachers, too. Come learn strategies for smoothing out those transitions, maximizing learning and reducing stress on teachers and children. @public

Instructor: Amy Stevens

Understanding the Roots of Behavior
2026-01-08 18:30 - 20:30 | CCAC Griffin Lane, 3729 Griffin Lane SE, Olympia, WA, 98501, United States
Understanding the Roots of Behavior

Challenging behaviors are often the result of unmet needs. Come hear about five causes of challenging behavior and then learn about the ten important social and emotional needs of children and what you can do to meet those needs. When needs are met through relationships, children will behave better and be ready to learn.

Instructor: Ollie Feldman

Understanding Executive Function
2025-12-16 18:30 - 20:30 | Grays Harbor County Public Health & Social Services Harbor Room, 2109 Sumner AVE, Aberdeen, Washington, 98520, United States
Understanding Executive Function

Children aren’t born with life skills; they’re born with the potential to develop them! The skills that children need in order to thrive are all connected to using the prefrontal cortex of the brain. Come learn more about the importance of executive function and how you can use everyday interactions to optimize the “air traffic control system” in children’s brains.

Instructor: Rose Tiller

*NEW-Planned Experiences for Infants and Toddlers
2025-12-11 18:30 - 20:30 | CCAC Griffin Lane, 3729 Griffin Lane SE, Olympia, WA, 98501, United States
*NEW-Planned Experiences for Infants and Toddlers

As caregivers of infant and toddlers, we want to do more than pass the time! We need daily planned activities that build trust and support early development. Come refresh your understanding of what our youngest children need and leave with new ideas for making the most of your time together.

Instructor: Amy Stevens

*NEW-Tools for Powerful Play: A Strategic Approach to Classroom Materials
2025-12-09 18:30 - 20:30 | CCAC Griffin Lane, 3729 Griffin Lane SE, Olympia, WA, 98501, United States
*NEW-Tools for Powerful Play: A Strategic Approach to Classroom Materials

In this class, participants will explore how to thoughtfully select and organize classroom toys and materials to support high-quality learning environments. Using the ITERS and ECERS tools as guiding frameworks, participants will deepen their understanding of how classroom materials impact developmental outcomes, daily routines, and classroom quality ratings. Whether preparing for rating or simply aiming to improve their classroom setup, this session will empower educators to make informed, intentional choices that support children’s needs and elevate the learning environment.

Instructor: Ollie Feldman

Playful Math in the Early Learning Environment
2025-12-08 18:30 - 20:30 | CCAC Griffin Lane, 3729 Griffin Lane SE, Olympia, WA, 98501, United States
Playful Math in the Early Learning Environment

Playfully incorporating math throughout your learning environment develops confidence and love of learning in children. Did you know children begin exploring math concepts in infancy? Discover the brain science behind how children learn best while practicing interactions and activities to use with children birth through age 5. Plan how you will incorporate math concepts, materials, and vocabulary throughout your daily routine. Expand on the math conversations you have with children and help develop the problem solving and critical thinking skills needed in kindergarten and life.

Instructor: Rose Tiller

Come Move and Groove with Me!
2025-12-04 18:30 - 20:30 | CCAC Griffin Lane, 3729 Griffin Lane SE, Olympia, WA, 98501, United States
Come Move and Groove with Me!

Children need to move! Music and movement provide multiple learning opportunities as well as provide support in behavior management and self-regulation skill building. Come explore how music and movement in the classroom can create a groovy, rich learning environment and increase cultural awareness. Walk away with activity ideas, Early Achievers considerations, and a make-and-take musical instrument.

Instructor: Ollie Feldman

Strong Families = Safe and Ready Kids
2025-11-24 18:30 - 20:30
Strong Families = Safe and Ready Kids

This introduction to the Strengthening Families approach and the Protective Factors framework will assist all teachers with increasing their capacity to support families, which will in turn help ensure that children have the best start in school and life. It is an ideal class for multiple people from the same program to attend, so they can work together to strengthen families. This class supports the Early Achievers Quality Standards by addressing the area of Family Engagement and Partnerships. This is a virtual class; Instructions will come after registering for class. @public

Instructor: Amy Stevens

A Closer look at Emergent Curriculum Development
2025-11-19 18:30 - 20:30
A Closer look at Emergent Curriculum Development

Have you ever wondered if the curriculum your program is using is effective? Have you wanted to create or adopt a curriculum for your program, but have limited funds, or were not sure where to start? Do you want to make sure your current curriculum is aligned with the Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines, but it seems too daunting? This two-part training is designed to help all providers define, develop and deliver emergent curriculum that is fun and stimulating for the children, while ensuring that it is aligned with the WA Early Learning Guidelines. We will focus on helping you decide what kind of curricula best fits you program, and discuss what modifications you may need to make to ensure it meets the needs of each age group. Our goal is that you will walk away from this training with the ability to create a dynamic curriculum that will best meet the needs of your program, and the children and families you serve. This is a multi-day class (Nov 19th and Dec 3rd), please be sure to check your availability for both days. This is also a virtual class, instructions will be sent after you register for class. @public

This class MAY support you with Early Achievers Standard

Instructor: Heidi DeVries

*NEW Relationship with Food
2025-11-17 18:30 - 20:30
*NEW Relationship with Food

This training will help educators and caregivers support children in developing a healthy relationship with food and emotions. Participants will explore types of hunger, responsive feeding practices, and practical strategies to create positive mealtime experiences that build self-regulation and emotional well-being. This is a virtual class; instructions will be sent to you after registering for class. @public

Instructor: Rose Tiller

First Steps into STEAM: Nurturing Curiosity in Toddlers
2025-11-13 18:30 - 20:30 | CCAC Griffin Lane, 3729 Griffin Lane SE, Olympia, WA, 98501, United States
First Steps into STEAM: Nurturing Curiosity in Toddlers

This class is designed for providers working with toddler-aged children. The class will explore the brain science behind STEAM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) in the first three years, and how our youngest learners naturally engage with their environment in ways that promote early STEAM skills. Participants will learn how to create a STEAM-rich toddler environment that fosters curiosity through developmentally appropriate activities that focus on sensory exploration, experimentation, and inquiry-based learning through play using everyday materials.

Instructor: Ollie Feldman

Directors Class-Making the most of meetings
2025-11-06 12:00 - 14:00
Directors Class- Making the most of meetings

Meetings are the glue that hold childcare center together. Whether they are weekly, monthly, quarterly, directors rely on meetings as the primary vehicle for communicating information, promoting professional growth, solving problems and building a sense of community. This class will provide the framework for planning and conducting more engaging and productive meetings. Participants will learn how to increase a group’s commitment to shared goals, arrive at decisions supported by everyone, and have more fun in the process. Amy’s experience in running a childcare allows her to bring a wealth of knowledge and unique perspectives to this class. This is a virtual class; instructions will be sent to you after registering for class. @public

Instructor: Amy Stevens

EQEL Year 1, Live Online (Oct-Dec 2025)
2025-10-21 00:00 - 2025-12-02 23:59
This 4-class training series will take place from 6:30-9 pm on Tuesdays:

@public

October 21,

November 4,

November 18, and

December 2, 2025.

This 10-hour training series is Year 1 of Enhancing Quality Early Learning (EQEL).

Before registering, please note:

Participants must complete Child Care Basics before registering for EQEL Year 1.

All classes in this series will take place live on Zoom (they will not be recorded).

Active participation and full attendance in all 10-hours of EQEL are required for STARS credit.

To register click on the RSVP below. (If the RSVP link is not available the class is Full.)

Customer Service Through the Child Care Lens
2025-10-20 18:30 - 20:30
Customer Service Through the Child Care Lens

As consumers, we base our purchasing decisions at least in part on the customer service we receive from businesses. The same is true for parents who are in the market for child care. Every child care provider is in the customer service business and that service can make or break the child care. Let’s discuss what good service looks and sounds like! This is a virtual class; instructions will be sent to you after registering for class. @public

Instructor: Rose Tiller

Maximizing Learning Time
2025-10-16 18:30 - 20:30 | CCAC Kitsap Office, 3513 NW Anderson Hill RD, Silverdale, WA, 98383
Maximizing Learning Time

When your classroom runs like a well-oiled machine, you can maximize learning time for children. Learn practical strategies for designing your environment, teaching children your expectations, promoting smooth transitions, and preventing time-consuming behavior problems. This session supports Early Achievers by focusing on skills measured by CLASS but will provide useful information to all participants.

Instructor: Ollie Feldman

Calming Connections: De-escalation Strategies for Child Care Providers
2025-10-15 18:30 - 20:30
Calming Connections: De-escalation Strategies for Child Care Providers

In this interactive and practical workshop, child care providers will learn effective strategies for de-escalating challenging behaviors and fostering calm, positive connections with young children. By understanding the root causes of frustration and distress, participants will gain tools to prevent conflicts before they arise, as well as techniques to safely manage and de-escalate situations when they do occur.This course will cover key concepts such as emotional regulation, active listening, non-verbal communication, and the importance of building strong, trusting relationships with children. Providers will also learn how to recognize early signs of distress, create a calm and supportive environment, and employ strategies that help children return to a state of emotional balance.By the end of the course, participants will feel more confident in their ability to handle challenging situations with empathy and composure, while also supporting children in developing their own emotional regulation skills. Ideal for child care professionals working with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, Calming Connections will help build a foundation for positive behavior and emotional well-being in early childhood settings. This is a virtual class; instructions will be sent to you after registering for class. @public

Instructor: Amy Stevens
