Training for Early Educators

Quality Counts San Mateo County – is part of a national movement to ensure quality learning experiences for young children in environments that better prepare them for school and life. However, understanding how elements are integrated and navigating the process may feel overwhelming. This two-part interactive series is designed for participants to learn from others and share their quality improvement expertise! Part I: Participants will explore the 7 critical elements of quality, how they are integrated, and the connection to individual,group, and classroom planning. Part II: Participants will examine the connection between environments, interactions, and overall development, practice individual & group planning for all children, including ways to involve families. Participants will also have an opportunity to explore resources and share strategies and ways of bringing it all together

Intended Audience:  Open to all center-based and family child care early learning programs serving preschool children and infant-toddlers in San Mateo County.

Dates and Time: Saturdays, September 11 & 18, 2021  ◊  9:00 AM to 12:00 PM 

How and where to register: Registration Closed   ◊  Via Zoom Meeting platform

Note: Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided. / Traducción simultánea al español será proporcionado. For more information about this training series, contact Andrea Burnett at elss@smcoe.org.

The Teaching Pyramid is a comprehensive approach designed to help educators promote social-emotional competence, address challenging behaviors in young children, and develop safe and nurturing group environments for all children. The Infant/Toddler series consists of 10 weekend training sessions covering the 3 modules within the Teaching Pyramid curriculum, while the Leadership Team acts as the steering group, guiding the implementation of Pyramid strategies.

How and where to register: This is an Annual Targeted Reoccurring Training Series closed for 21-22 registration and is offered annually to a targeted group of sites. If you are interested in participating in the 2022-2023 program year or are interested in learning more about this training, please contact the ELSS team at elss@smcoe.org.

This series focuses on building the skills of early childhood educators who support young children with diverse learning needs in inclusive settings. The series is organized around the 12 key practices of the Inclusive Classroom Profile, a research-based tool that focuses on evidence-based practices that support all young children in inclusive early childhood programs. Part 2 of the series builds on the practices of individualization by providing opportunities to explore strategies that support language and motor development, create visual aids such as choice boards and social stories, and develop systems that support staff to plan and implement embedded learning opportunities into daily routines and activities.

How and where to register: This is an Annual Targeted Reoccurring Training Series closed for 21-22 registration and is offered annually to a targeted group of sites. If you are interested in participating in the 2022-2023 program year or are interested in learning more about this training, please contact the ELSS team at elss@smcoe.org. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided. / Traducción simultánea al español será proporcionado.

Over the course of ten (10) weekday sessions, the instructors will provide virtual training to teachers, care providers and coaches preparing them to identify, understand, and apply stronger Pre-K CLASS® interactions to their classroom. Teachers will be able to observe, discuss and identify effective teaching behaviors as described across the three Pre-K CLASS Domains; Emotional Support, Classroom Organization, and Instructional Support.

Intended Audience:  Open to all center-based and family child care early learning programs serving preschool children in San Mateo County.

Dates: Tue., October 5th; Thu., October 7th; Tue., October 12th; Thu., October 14th; Tue., October 19th; Thu., October 21st; Tue., October 26th; Thu., October 28th; Tue., November 2nd; Thu., November 4th, 2021

Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM 

How and where to register: Eventbrite Registration Link (Registration Deadline: Friday, September 24, 2021)  ◊  Via Zoom Meeting platform

This training will provide an overview of the Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R), including the validity and the different purposes the tools serve. Attendees will gain an understanding of how these tools relate to quality environments and tips on how to make positive long-lasting changes to their program's environment. Lastly, participants will also learn how ECERS-R promotes continuous quality improvement.

Intended Audience:  Open to all center-based and family child care early learning programs serving preschool children in San Mateo County.

Date and Time: Saturday, October 9th, 2021   ◊   9:00 AM to 12:00 PM 

How and where to register:  Eventbrite Registration Link   ◊  Via Zoom Meeting platform

Note: Participants must have their ECERS-R booklets available for use throughout the training. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided. / Traducción simultánea al español será proporcionado.

In this 3-hour training, attendees will begin by exploring their own perceptions on social-emotional development and where they might have come from. Participants will learn about the Teaching Pyramid and practice using strategies such as Reframing, Positive Descriptive Acknowledgement (PDA), and discussing the benefits of using PDA instead of praise. They will also discuss Emotional Literacy, what it is, and how to help young children understand the big feelings they have.

For the second portion of this training, the training will shift to looking at how books can be a great tool for teaching Social-Emotional skills, and get hands-on while attendees create activities using multiple modalities to help children understand and practice self-regulation. Lastly, participants will discuss the best times to teach these skills and look at different teaching models.

Intended Audience:  Center-based and family child care early learning programs serving preschool children and infant-toddlers in San Mateo County.

Date: Saturday, October 16th, 2021  ◊  9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

How and where to register:  Priority registration will be given to new QCSM programs. If space allows, registration will then open to all. Eventbrite Registration Link (not yet available)  ◊  Via Zoom Meeting platform

Note: Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided. / Traducción simultánea al español será proporcionado.

Trauma-Responsive and Resilience Building Practices for Early Childhood Providers provides an overview on the neurobiology of trauma, the impact of toxic stress on a child and adult and introduces the science of resilience and neuroplasticity. Participants will walk away understanding the difference between a challenging behavior and trauma trigger. The training will guide early child educators and providers and early educators working with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary aged children to understand trauma as well as its impact on young children’s brains, behavior, learning, and development. The training introduces a range of trauma-responsive and resilience building teaching strategies they can use in their early childhood programs to create strength-based environments that support children’s health, healing, and resiliency.

Intended Audience:  Open to all center-based and family child care early learning programs serving preschool children and infant-toddlers in San Mateo County.

Dates and Time: Saturdays, October 16th & 23rd, 2021  ◊  9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

How and where to register:  Eventbrite Registration Link (not yet available)  ◊  Via Zoom Meeting platform

Note: This is a 2-Part Weekend Virtual Training - Overall training series includes Modules 200 & 201. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided. / Traducción simultánea al español será proporcionado.

Practicing of Trauma-Responsive and Resilience-Building Strategies Learned in Module 100: Taking a deeper dive into the trauma responsive strategies by providing an opportunity for early childhood providers to practice using the strategies through interactive activities, engaging reflective conversations and self-reflection.

Intended Audience:  Open to all center-based and family child care early learning programs serving preschool children and infant-toddlers in San Mateo County.

Dates and Times: Saturdays, November 6th & 13th, 2021  ◊  9:00 AM to 12:00 PM 

Prerequirement: Attendees must have completed and attended Module 100 prior to attending.

How and where to register:  Eventbrite Registration Link (not yet available)  ◊  Via Zoom Meeting platform

Note: Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided. / Traducción simultánea al español será proporcionado.

After attending Module 100 and 200 (pre-requisites), participants dive deeper in exploring how to observe children using the trauma-responsive observation checklist. They learn to observe themselves and their unconscious reactions using the adult trigger checklist. Finally, they will gain the practical experience of writing trauma-responsive support plans that will help young children with histories of trauma build resilience and rewire their bodies to feel safe and secure in the classroom environment.

Intended Audience:  Open to all center-based and family child care early learning programs serving preschool children and infant-toddlers in San Mateo County.

Date & Time: Saturday, November 20th, 2021  ◊  9:00 AM to 12:00 PM 

Prerequirement: Attendees must have completed and attended Module 100 and Module 200 prior to attending.

How and where to register:  Eventbrite Registration Link (not yet available)  ◊  Via Zoom Meeting platform

Note: Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided. / Traducción simultánea al español será proporcionado.

This 7-part training series on inclusion will cover the following topics:

• Topic I: Walking with Families: Engaging in Difficult Conversations
• Topic II: Map to Early Intervention
• Topic III: Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Creating Environments for All Children
• Topic IV: Show me what to do!
• Topic V: Planning Sensory Support
• Topic VI: Learning Through Movement
• Topic VII: Help Me Learn! Embedded Instruction in Early Childhood

Intended Audience:  Center-based and family child care early learning programs serving preschool children and infant-toddlers in San Mateo County.

Dates: Thu., November 18th; Thu., December 2nd; Thu., December 16th; Thu., January 20th; Thu., March 3rd; Thu., March 24th; & Thu., April 7th

Time: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

How and where to register:  Priority registration will be given to QRIS programs. Eventbrite Registration Link (not yet available)  ◊  Via Zoom Meeting platform

Note: Participants must attend all six (7) sessions and two (2) PLCs. One-to-one site consultation will be available upon request. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided. / Traducción simultánea al español será proporcionado.

SEEDS of Learning is a training, coaching, and RtI framework used with family childcare providers and community-based organizations to support social, emotional, and equitable academic growth. This framework supports educators to:

• Increase child confidence and capability through safety and respect
• Increase equitable outcomes for children using evidence-based interventions in predictive literacy skills
• Increase educator efficacy through a research-based skill development cycle

Intended Audience:  Open to all center-based and family child care early learning programs serving preschool children and infant-toddlers in San Mateo County. There will be separate sessions for center-based and family child care providers.

Training Session Dates & Time: Saturdays, December 4th & December 11th, 2021 and Saturday, January 8th, 2022  ◊  9:30 AM to 12:00 PM

PLC Dates & Time: Tuesdays, December 7th & December 18th, 2021 and Wednesday, January 12th, 2022  ◊  6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

How and where to register: Priority registration will be given to new QCSM programs. If space allows, registration will then open to all. Eventbrite Registration Link (not yet available)  ◊  Via Zoom Meeting platform

Note: Participants must attend all three (3) sessions and three (3) PLCs to receive full attendance credit. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided for FCC providers. / Traducción simultánea al español será proporcionado para los proveedores de cuidado infantil familiar.

This training will provide an overview of the Infant Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) – an observational assessment of the quality of interactions between teachers and children in infant classrooms. The training will review the domains of the CLASS, its structure and the various uses of the tool. includes a copy of the CLASS Dimensions Guide.

Intended Audience:  Open to all center-based and family child care early learning programs serving infant-toddlers in San Mateo County.

Date & Time: Saturday, December 11th, 2021  ◊  9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

How and where to register: Priority registration will be given to new QCSM programs. If space allows, registration will then open to all. Eventbrite Registration Link (not yet available)  ◊  Via Zoom Meeting platform

Over the course of ten (10) sessions, the instructors will provide virtual training to teachers, care providers® and coaches preparing them to identify, understand, and apply stronger Infant/Toddler interactions to their classroom. Teachers will be able to observe, discuss and identify effective teaching behaviors as described across the three Infant and Toddler CLASS Domains; Responsive Caregiving, Emotional Behaviors Support, and Engaged Support for Learning.

Intended Audience:  Open to all center-based and family child care early learning programs serving infant-toddlers in San Mateo County.

Dates: Tue., January 4th; Thu., January 6th; Tue., January 11th; Thu., January 13th; Tue., January 18th; Thu., January 20st; Tue., January 25th; Thu., January 27th; Tue., February 1st; Thu., February 3rd, 2022

Time: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

How and where to register:  Eventbrite Registration Link (not yet available)  ◊  Via Zoom Meeting platform

Note: Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided. / Traducción simultánea al español será proporcionado. For more information about this training series, contact Donna Yuriar at dyuriar@smcoe.org.

This training will provide an overview of the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scales-Revised (ITERS-R) and the Family Child Care Rating Scales-Revised (FCCERS-R) Tools, including the validity and the different purposes these tools serve. Attendees will gain an understanding of how these tools relate to quality environments and tips on how to make positive long-lasting changes to their program's environment. Lastly, participants will also learn how ITERS-R/FCCERS-R promotes continuous quality improvement.

Intended Audience:  Open to all center-based and family child care early learning programs serving infant-toddlers in San Mateo County.

Date & Time: Saturday, February 5th, 2022  ◊  9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

How and where to register:  Eventbrite Registration Link (not yet available)  ◊  Via Zoom Meeting platform

Note: Participants must have their ITERS-R/FCCERS-R booklets available for use throughout the training. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided. / Traducción simultánea al español será proporcionado.

Two previous DLL cohorts that have completed the 2-part DLL series over the last 2 years have been invited back to for a deep dive in POLL strategies to ensure full participation of young dual language learners in daily activities. Throughout the training, participants will learn together by reviewing and practicing the key elements of this highly effective approach including anchor text, intentional message, key vocabulary words and gestures, songs/chants, and extension activities to engage the families and the community at large. The trainers will introduce new resources and action plan templates for supporting the implementation of the POLL strategies in early learning settings. Additionally, participants will come together for 3 Communities of Practice (CoPs) for peer support and to share implementation stories at the site-level.

How and where to register: This is an Annual Targeted Reoccurring Training Series closed for 21-22 registration and is offered annually to a targeted group of sites. If you are interested in participating in the 2022-2023 program year or are interested in learning more about this training, please contact the ELSS team at elss@smcoe.org.

Language development is such a remarkable area of growth in the early years of life. This training takes an integrated approach looking at evidence-based research to review how language development progresses from birth to age three. Participants will explore essential elements around how infants and toddlers learn language skills, language milestones, how to facilitate and support language development through everyday classroom interactions, routines, and how to engage dual language learners.

Intended Audience: Open to all center-based and family child care early learning programs serving infant-toddlers in San Mateo County.

Date & Time: Thursday, February 10th, 2022  ◊  6:00 PM to 8:30 PM 

How and where to register:  Eventbrite Registration Link (not yet available)  ◊  Via Zoom Meeting platform

Note: This training will offer three (3) hours of pre-scheduled consultation for each program that would like to participate in follow-up support. The consultation will consist of individualized support to develop age-appropriate activities and strategies. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided. / Traducción simultánea al español será proporcionado.

This training will focus on gross motor development from birth to age three. Participants will learn about gross motor milestones and how to support and facilitate gross motor strategies in their daily classroom activities and routines.

Intended Audience: Open to all center-based and family child care early learning programs serving infant-toddlers in San Mateo County.

Date & Time: Thursday, March 10th, 2022   ◊  6:00 PM to 8:30 PM 

How and where to register:  Eventbrite Registration Link (not yet available)  ◊  Via Zoom Meeting platform

Note: This training will offer three (3) hours of pre-scheduled consultation for each program that would like to participate in follow-up support. The consultation will consist of individualized support to develop age-appropriate activities and strategies. Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided. / Traducción simultánea al español será proporcionado.

This training will equip educators with tools and strategies to increase their skills in engaging families in difficult conversations. Participants will learn how perspectives and cultures of educators and families impact responses to concerns and will reflect on the use of the term “in denial” and learn how to put the label away to help educators and families work together on behalf of the child.

Intended Audience: Center-based and family child care early learning programs serving preschool children and infant-toddlers in San Mateo County.

Dates: Tuesday, March 15th, 2022  ◊   6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

How and where to register: Priority registration will be given to new QCSM programs. If space allows, registration will then open to all. Eventbrite Registration Link (not yet available)  ◊  Via Zoom Meeting platform

Note: Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided. / Traducción simultánea al español será proporcionado.

This training will provide an overview of the Pre-K Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) – an observational assessment of the quality of interactions between teachers and children in preschool classrooms. The training will review the domains of the CLASS, its structure and the various uses of the tool. Includes a copy of the CLASS Dimensions Guide.

Intended Audience: Open to all center-based and family child care early learning programs serving preschool children in San Mateo County.

Date & Time: Thursday, March 19th, 2022  ◊   9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

How and where to register: Priority registration will be given to new QCSM programs. If space allows, registration will then open to all. Eventbrite Registration Link (not yet available)  ◊  Via Zoom Meeting platform

Note: Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided. / Traducción simultánea al español será proporcionado. For more information about this training series, contact Donna Yuriar at dyuriar@smcoe.org.

This two-part training will be offered in English. Part I will provide an overview of how to administer and interpret the results of the ASQ-3 developmental questionnaires. Part II will provide an overview on how to administer and interpret the results of the ASQ:SE 2 social-emotional questionnaires. Part III will provide an opportunity to think together about using these tools to follow-up and connect young children and their families to further assessment/services when there are developmental concerns identified through screening.

Intended Audience: Open to all center-based and family child care early learning programs serving preschool children and infant-toddlers in San Mateo County.

Dates: Saturdays, March 26th & April 2nd, 2022  ◊  9:00 AM to 12:00 PM 

How and where to register:  Eventbrite Registration Link (not yet available)  ◊  Via Zoom Meeting platform

In this interactive training session, participants will discuss key elements that influence young dual language learners’ (DLLs’) participation in early learning settings. Participants will 1) unpack the process of second language acquisition and development and the myths associated with it; 2) explore creative ways to learn from and with families and; 3) introduce a tool for collecting meaningful language and culture information about children and families with the goal of using what they learn to inform the daily activities in their learning environments.

Intended Audience: Center-based and family child care early learning programs serving preschool children and infant-toddlers in San Mateo County.

Dates: Saturday, April 9th, 2022  ◊  9:00 AM to 12:30 PM

How and where to register:  Priority registration will be given to new QCSM programs. If space allows, registration will then open to all. Eventbrite Registration Link (not yet available)  ◊  Via Zoom Meeting platform

Note: Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided. / Traducción simultánea al español será proporcionado.

ECE providers are well aware of the fundamental role that Healthy Social-Emotional Development has in the optimal development of all developmental areas. Every day, they support young children in a key stage in their lives as they learn to relate to peers, make sense of the world around them, find their voice and foster a healthy sense of self. The mission of ECE providers is to ensure that every child in their classroom receives the care they need to fully develop and thrive!

But what must be present in the classrooms to provide the students with this quality care? Together, participants will discover the power that the relationship they develop with their students has and how it is a key ingredient in ensuring they make a lifelong impact in the lives of the children they serve. Participants will learn about healthy development during this stage, how relationships are the way that children learn about themselves and the impact that fostering healthy attachments with their students can have on every single area of development.

Intended Audience: Open to all center-based and family child care early learning programs serving preschool children and infant-toddlers in San Mateo County.

Dates: Thursday, April 21st, 2022  ◊  6:30 PM to 8:00 PM

How and where to register: Priority registration will be given to new QCSM programs. If space allows, registration will then open to all. Eventbrite Registration Link (not yet available)  ◊  Via Zoom Meeting platform

Note: Simultaneous Spanish translation will be provided. / Traducción simultánea al español será proporcionado.

Este taller de dos partes se ofrecerá en español. La Primera Parte ofrecerá una descripción general de las características, la administración y la puntuación de los cuestionarios ASQ-3 y ASQ: SE 2. Participantes Compartirán ideas para usar los resultados de los cuestionarios para apoyar el desarrollo de los niños pequeños en el aula. La Segunda Parte proporcionará una descripción general sobre cómo interpretar los resultados de los cuestionarios ASQ-3 y ASQ: SE 2, incluyendo consideraciones culturales. Los participantes aprenderán sobre la intervención temprana y el sistema de educación especial preescolar y sobre referencias apropiadas para niños identificados con preocupaciones en su desarrollo, así como recursos comunitarios para niños y las familias.

Público objetivo: Abierto a todos los programas de aprendizaje temprano basados en centros y de cuidado infantil familiar que prestan servicios a niños de edad preescolar y bebés y niños en el Condado de San Mateo.

Fechas & Hora: Sábados, 7 de mayo y 14 de mayo del 2022  ◊   9:00 AM a 12:00 PM

Cómo y Donde Registarse: Este entrenamiento será proporcionado solamente en español - Enlace para registración por Eventbrite (aún no disponible)  ◊  Presentado virtualmente por Zoom