Trainings and professional development

Enroll in child care courses online that include certificates for early childhood education professionals looking to complete state-mandated training, professional development, and Child Development Associate (CDA) renewal requirements. Browse the catalog for free and paid courses.

Provides orientation and in-service professional development and technical assistance to early childhood intervention providers across the state. Child care providers can receive training on using Ages and Stages Questionnaire as their developmental screener. Contact your Local Workforce Solutions office or ECI program to request this training.

Designed in collaboration with the federal Office of Child Care to better support the professional growth of the early childhood workforce through enhanced tools, features, and a more user-friendly experience. Learn how to enroll in state-approved courses.

Regularly check with your local Workforce Solutions Office to see if they have any professional development opportunities or assistance available.

Project NEST is a pilot initiative created in partnership with Texas A&M and is available only in the Brazos Valley and Panhandle local workforce development areas. This initiative provides training and coaching to Texas Rising Star–certified providers. 

Offers training in the early childhood profession through certain local community or technical colleges and reimburses up to $1,000 per existing employee and up to $2,000 per new employee for a 12-month period. Providers with fewer than 100 employees can apply. 

ITSN supports and coordinates the work of specialists who serve infant and toddler care early learning programs, creating a community of professional development and peer support to improve the classroom experience.

TECPDS supports early childhood professionals by providing resources and tools to help them meet their professional development needs. TECPDS is an approved state registry, and their career reports are recognized transcripts for Child Development Associate applications.

Work-based learning lets providers employ teachers while they go to school. This is done by hiring high school or college students as interns or assistant teachers, helping child care teachers attending school find scholarships, and creating or joining a registered apprenticeship program.