STEM Outdoor Environments
2026-02-04 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Denver) | 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-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

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-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

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

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-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

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 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

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-Rethinking Exclusion
2026-04-30 18:30 - 20:30
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

Warm Hearts 2026
2026-05-05 11:30 - 13:00 | Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey, Washington, 98503
Warm Hearts Soup Bowl Fundraiser

At the Child Care Action Council we believe that when children and families thrive, our entire community grows stronger. We are thrilled to announce the return of our largest annual fundraiser, the Warm Hearts Soup Bowl Fundraiser, on May 5th at 11:30 am at the Lacey Community Center. The Warm Hearts Soup Bowl Fundraiser is our premier annual event dedicated to ensuring every child in our community has access to high-quality early learning opportunities. We invite you to share a meal with us and help build a stronger future for our youngest neighbors.

Why Your Presence Matters: The Warm Hearts Soup Bowl Fundraiser is more than just a meal; it’s an investment in the foundational years of our community’s children. Last year alone, this event helped us support programming for over 10,000 children and families, providing essential resources and opportunities that pave the way for a brighter future. Lunch will be provided, however a donation of $100 is suggested.

Your participation, whether by attending or making a donation, directly fuels our efforts to:

Ensure access to affordable, quality childcare.

Empower early learning providers with crucial training and resources.

Advocate for policies that prioritize our youngest learners.

Can’t attend the event, but you would still like to make a donation? Visit this link to donate now: https://portals.compass-360.org/Compass360WebUserServices08/org=ccacwa.org/request=donations

For questions please contact CCAC staff at events@ccacwa.org.

NEW Junior Chefs: Cooking in the classroom
2026-05-07 18:30 - 20:30 | CCAC Griffin Lane, 3729 Griffin Lane SE, Olympia, WA, 98501, United States
NEW Junior Chefs: Cooking in the classroom

Do you enjoy cooking and want to introduce it to the children in your care? Have you tried cooking with children in the classroom but have been met with barriers/challenges?Junior Chefs invites children to explore learning through hands-on cooking experiences right in the classroom. This class uses simple, child-friendly recipes to build life skills, encourage independence, and spark curiosity while reinforcing early math, literacy, science, and social-emotional development. Children practice following directions, taking turns, measuring ingredients, and working as a team—all while having fun and creating something they’re proud to eat. We will also discuss barriers and challenges and how to over come those.

Instructor: Amy Stevens

*NEW VIRTUAL Caring Connections: Supporting Families Through Trauma
2026-05-12 18:30 - 20:30
*NEW VIRTUAL Caring Connections: Supporting Families Through Trauma

Every family’s story holds both strength and struggle. This session explores how trauma can shape the experiences, behaviors, and interactions of families we serve — and how early learning professionals can respond with compassion, clarity, and care.Together we will:• Build understanding of what trauma may look like for families and how it can show up in early learning settings.• Reflect on what’s within our control — and what’s not — when supporting families in distress.• Explore what to do when our efforts don’t seem to work and how to stay grounded and connected.• Practice strategies for building authentic, trusting relationships — even with families we may find challenging.• Identify resources for families in crisis and map out what supports already exist within your community.This training invites honest conversation, shared reflection, and practical tools to help you strengthen relationships and create calm, connected environments where families feel seen, supported, and safe. After registering for class, a link will be sent to register in Zoom. @public

Instructor: Heidi DeVries

Virtual-WA Pyramid Model: Implementing Inclusive + Equitable Pyramid Model Practices: Modules 1 and 2 (Birth to 3)
2026-05-12 18:30 - 20:30
Virtual-WA Pyramid Model: Implementing Inclusive + Equitable Pyramid Model Practices: Modules 1 and 2 (Birth to 3)

A year + worth of Stars hours! This is a VIRTUAL class taking place across multiple days and weeks. Before registering, please make sure you are available for all sessions.

6:30pm-8:30pm

May 12th

May14th

May19th

May 21st

May 26th

May 28th

June 2nd.

Come learn about the Pyramid framework, a research-based tool that can guide us as we support social-emotional development in infants and toddlers. This 14-hour class will help you understand and apply strategies for building relationships and collaborating with families of infants and toddlers; understand and apply social emotional learning practices in your work; and reflect on your own implicit biases while you work to create anti-biased, anti-racist, and trauma-informed programs for our youngest children. We are registering only those in the following counties Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Grays Harbor, and Thurston. @public

Instructor: Amy Stevens

VIRTUAL Emergency Preparedness in Childcare Programs
2026-05-16 09:00 - 15:30
VIRTUAL Emergency Preparedness in Childcare Programs

This class is intended for FCC owners and Directors however Teachers can also benefit from the topic and find ways to support policies at their sites. This class is designed to equip childcare providers with the knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to effectively prepare for and respond to emergencies in childcare settings. Participants will learn how to develop and implement comprehensive emergency plans, how to support the emotional and psychological needs of children during and after an emergency, and will explore available resources for creating a safe, resilient environment for both children and staff. The course covers a range of emergency scenarios, including natural disasters, fires, and incidents involving intruders. Participants will gain confidence in their ability to handle emergencies and will be empowered to create a safe and prepared environment for children, staff, and families. *30 minute lunch break will be provided. After registering for class, a link will be sent to register in Zoom. @public

Instructor: Ollie Feldman

PACE Module 1: Reflective Teaching (June 2026)
2026-06-02 00:00 - 2026-06-16 23:59
This 3-class training series will take place on Tuesday Evenings:

June 2 from 6:30-8:30 pm,

June 9 from 6:30-8 pm, and

June 16 from 6:30-8 pm

This 5-hour training series is Part 1, Module 1 of Provider Access to a Community Equivalent (PACE).

Before registering, please note:

Participants must complete all prerequisites (Child Care Basics, EQEL Year 1, and EQEL Year 2) before registering for PACE Part 1, Module 1.

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

You must attend all classes in the series and submit your completed workbook to receive credit.

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

Virtual-WA Pyramid Model: Implementing Inclusive + Equitable Pyramid Model Practices: Modules 1 and 2 (PRE-K)
2026-06-08 18:30 - 20:30
Virtual-WA Pyramid Model: Implementing Inclusive + Equitable Pyramid Model Practices: Modules 1 and 2 (PRE-K)

A year + worth of Stars hours! This is a VIRTUAL class taking place across multiple days and weeks. Before registering, please make sure you are available for all sessions.

6:30pm-8:30pm

June 8th,

June10th

June15th

June17th

June 22nd

June 24th

June 29th.

Come learn about the Pyramid framework, a research-based tool that can guide us as we support social-emotional development in Preschool children. This 14-hour class will help you understand and apply strategies for building relationships and collaborating with families of Preschoolers; understand and apply social emotional learning practices in your work; and reflect on your own implicit biases while you work to create anti-biased, anti-racist, and trauma-informed programs for our youngest children. We are registering only those in the following counties Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Grays Harbor, and Thurston. @public

Instructor: Ollie Feldman

*NEW HYBRID Effective Communication in a Multi-generational Workplace
2026-06-10 18:30 - 20:30 | CCAC Griffin Lane, 3729 Griffin Lane SE, Olympia, WA, 98501, United States
*NEW HYBRID Effective Communication in a Multi-generational Workplace

This class is taking place both online via ZOOM and in person at CCAC. If you want to be in person at CCAC please email Nancy Hobson to sign up at nancy.hobson@ccacwa.org. Caring for children in a multigenerational workplace presents both great advantages and hurdles to overcome. This session walks through some generational characteristics in the workforce today, explains what shaped them, and explores myths. Come discuss strategies to enhance communication, overcome differences, and celebrate the advantages of interacting with people of different ages. After registering for class, a link will be sent to register in Zoom. @public

Instructor: Rose Tiller

VIRTUAL Quality Outdoor Interactions
2026-06-11 18:30 - 20:30
VIRTUAL Quality Outdoor Interactions

“Building Strong Educator-Child Connections in Outdoor Environments”. The outdoors presents unique opportunities for child-led exploration, social connection, and inquiry-based learning—but it also requires intentional adult engagement to maximize learning potential. This class contains introductory information about high quality teacher-child interactions, drawing on information from the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS). Through interactive discussions, small-group reflection, and opportunities to practice instructional support skills, participants will leave with concrete strategies for enhancing the quality of their meaningful, responsive interactions with children in outdoor learning environments. After registering for class, a link will be sent to register in Zoom. @public

Instructor: Ollie Feldman

VIRTUAL Summer Activities for School-agers
2026-06-16 18:30 - 20:30
VIRTUAL Summer Activities for School-agers

Soon school will be out, and the long summer days will stretch before you. What will you do to keep the school-agers busy and engaged? Come spend two hours learning (and sharing) ideas that just might prompt your schoolagers to beg, “Mom, please take me to childcare! After registering for class, a link will be sent to register in Zoom. @public

Instructor: Amy Stevens

PACE Part 3 (June-Sept 2026)
2026-06-23 00:00 - 2026-09-30 23:59
PACE Part 3: Guiding Behavior includes 20 hours of live online training divided into three Modules.

All classes in this series will take place live over Zoom on the dates listed below:

Module 1: Approaches to Behavior Guidance (3-class series) – 6:30-8:30 pm on Tuesdays evenings: June 23, June 30, and July 7, 2026.

Module 2: Guiding Children’s Behavior (3-class series) – 9 am-12 noon on Saturday mornings: July 25, August 8, and August 22, 2026

Module 3: Individualized Behavior Guidance (2-class series) – 6:30-9 pm on Wednesday evenings: September 16 and 30, 2026

Active participation and full attendance in all online trainings are required for credit.

The PACE training series must be completed in order. Before registering for PACE Part 3, check your MERIT account and make sure you have completed and received credit for the following classes:

The 30-hour Child Care Basics

Enhancing Quality Early Learning (EQEL) Year 1 and Year 2

PACE Part 1: The Field of early Care & Education (Modules 1, 2, and 3)

PACE Part 2: Supporting Child Development & Wellness (Modules 1, 2, and 3)

If you have questions about previous class credit, please contact the trainer or organization that you took the training with. For CCAC classes, please contact our main office at (360)522-0552 or Nancy.Hobson@CCACWA.org.

Provider Access to a Community Equivalent (PACE) is an option for some ECE roles who need the equivalent to an initial or short certificate (assistant teachers, lead teachers, or family home licensee.) For more information about PACE, visit the DCYF website.

*NEW-VIRTUAL Finding Our Way Through Conflict: Strengthening Relationships with Colleagues and Families
2026-06-23 18:30 - 20:30
*NEW-VIRTUAL Finding Our Way Through Conflict: Strengthening Relationships with Colleagues and Families

Early childhood professionals regularly engage in complex conversations—with co-teachers, supervisors, and families. When tensions arise, the way we respond matters. Drawing from Finding Our Way Through Conflict: Strategies for Early Childhood Educators, this class will support participants in recognizing conflict triggers, understanding multiple perspectives, and approaching disagreements with curiosity rather than defensiveness. Educators will gain tools for managing workplace conflict, fostering healthy team dynamics, and building respectful partnerships with families—even when perspectives differ. After registering for class, a link will be sent to register in Zoom. @public

Instructor: Heidi DeVries

SPECIAL EVENT Infant and Toddler PLAY DAY
2026-06-27 09:00 - 15:30 | CCAC Griffin Lane, 3729 Griffin Lane SE, Olympia, WA, 98501, United States
Infant and Toddler PLAY DAY

Are you an infant or toddler teacher? This day is all about you!! Come learn about specific topics with a n infant and toddler focus. There will be a break for lunch.

Planned Experiences 9-11 Amy StevensFirst Steps into STEAM 11-1 Ollie FeldmanLunch 1-1:30Loose Parts for Infants and Toddlers 1:30-3:30 Ollie FeldmanWith Giveaways!!

VIRTUAL Books that Build Bridges
2026-07-16 18:30 - 20:30
Books that Build Bridges

Are you unsure how to highlight diversity in your learning environment beyond baby dolls and posters on the walls? Children’s literature offers a unique opportunity to do just that! Children of all ages, from infants to school age, are drawn to stories that reflect their identities and experiences. Come learn what it means for the books in your environment to be a “mirror” for children and a “window” to the world, as well as how to discern what makes a high-quality book for children. @public

Instructor: Ollie Feldman

PACE Part 1, Modules 2 & 3 (July-Sept 2026)
2026-07-18 00:00 - 2026-09-26 23:59
This training series includes Modules 2 and 3 of PACE Part 1. (Providers must complete Module 1: Reflective Teaching before registering for Modules 2 and 3.)

All trainings in this series will take place live over Zoom on Saturday mornings on the dates listed below. Active participation and full attendance in all online trainings are required for credit:

Module 2: ECE Then and Now (3-class series)

Saturday mornings

9 am-12 pm

July 18, August 1, and August 15, 2026

Module 3: The Early Learning Profession (2-class series)

Saturday mornings

9 am-12 pm

September 12 and 26, 2026

PACE Modules are completed in order. Participants must complete Module 1: Reflective Teaching and all prerequisites (Child Care Basics, EQEL Year 1, and EQEL Year 2) before beginning Modules 2 and 3.

Provider Access to a Community Equivalent (PACE) is an option for some ECE roles who need the equivalent to an initial or short certificate (assistant teachers, lead teachers, or family home licensee.) For more information about PACE, visit the DCYF website.

EQEL Year 2, Live Online (July-Sept 2026)
2026-07-22 00:00 - 2026-09-02 23:59
This 4-class training series takes place from 6:30-9 pm on Wednesdays:

July 22,

August 5,

August 19, and

September 2, 2026

This 10-hour training series is Year 2 of Enhancing Quality Early Learning (EQEL).

Before registering, please note:

Participants must complete all prerequisites (Child Care Basics and EQEL Year 1) before registering for EQEL Year 2.

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.)

EQEL Year 1, Live Online (July-Sept 2026)
2026-07-23 00:00 - 2026-09-03 23:59
@public

This 4-class training series will take place from 6:30-9 pm on Thursdays:

July 23,

August 6,

August 20, and

September 3, 2026

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.)

VIRTUAL Preventing Teacher Burnout
2026-07-23 18:30 - 20:00
Preventing Teacher Burnout

This is a discussion-based class for early childhood teachers who like to learn by reflecting on their own opinions and reactions and by listening to those of other people. Those who register will be emailed a 4-page article to read before class. Burnout is globally prevalent in early childhood education. We may love children and have a passion for education but still suffer from fatigue and depression. Let’s talk about this very real problem and the role of self-care, attitude, play, environment, and boundaries when it comes to helping ourselves and others. @public

Brought to you in partnership with Washington STEM and PECC. A huge thank you for supporting the early learning community.

Instructor: Amy Stevens

NEW VIRTUAL Building a Thriving Program Culture
2026-08-11 18:30 - 20:30
Building a Thriving Program Culture

Creating and sustaining a positive program culture is essential to supporting, retaining, and empowering quality early childhood professionals. This engaging class explores how leadership practices, workplace climate, communication, collaboration, and staff wellness all contribute to a thriving early learning environment. Participants will reflect on their current program culture and gain practical strategies for building trust, increasing morale, strengthening teamwork, and fostering a sense of belonging among staff. Through discussion, self-reflection, and real-world examples, educators and leaders will leave with tools to cultivate a workplace where both children and adults can thrive. @public

Brought to you in partnership with Washington STEM and PECC. A huge thank you for supporting the early learning community.

Instructor: Heidi DeVries
