Training

Early Childhood Professional Development

The Francis Institute for Child and Youth Development, Metropolitan Community College offers to early childhood practitioners, directors and family childcare providers professional development opportunities. All professional development is designed to meet Missouri and Kansas state approval.

Training is customized to meet Child Development Associate (CDA) certification training hours and bi-state core competencies at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Training is delivered face-to-face, on-site per contract or on-line via Zoom.

Current trainings

Why do I react like this and how can I manage my emotions? Thursday, January 25, 2024
Avoiding a Power Struggle-Using Questions vs Statements Saturday, February 17, 2024
Care Routines as Learning Opportunities Thursday, March 21, 2024
"I'm Sorry," Apologizing and Meaning It Thursday, April 25, 2024
Infant and Toddler Learning Environments Saturday, May 11, 2024

Want us to come to you? These days don't meet your center's needs? Questions? 

Email us for custom training dates and prices. They can be at your center or the Francis Institute. 

Sign up today!


Strengths-Based Coaching®

Strengths-Based Coaching® is a practical approach for working with adults that will fundamentally change the way individuals support others to achieve and sustain quality improvements in care and education. It is designed to build on the strengths, knowledge and skills of technical assistance professionals and leaders who work with early childhood, school-age and youth programs.

What you will learn:

  • Coaching basics for effective leadership
  • Techniques to create an environment of positive intent
  • Approaches to develop partner-based relationships
  • Skills to use existing strengths to enhance performance
  • Strategies to meet personal and organizational goals
  • A step-by-step process for support others through change

Training

Strengths-Based Coaching® has several derivatives and breakout sessions available to you and your staff, as well as the original training for technical assistance professionals and leaders. Francis Institute for Child and Youth Development can create a workshop and/or tailor an existing workshop to meet your needs.

Training offerings and workshop topics

A trainer must be certified to order and offer the Francis Institute curriculum, Developing Your Family Child Care Business™; and strengths-based coaching.


Developing Your Family Child Care Business

The training series includes a reflective workbook and guided tips for completing assignments, is user-friendly and results in a 90% completion rate of business plans and parent handbooks. Constructive feedback and evaluation support are available for your business plan and parent handbook.

In partnership with First Step Fund, the Francis Institute was instrumental in the development of the program and has assisted in delivering the program since its inception in 1996. More than 149 sites are certified to teach Developing Your Family Child Care Business. More than 1,800 individuals participated in this comprehensive training program.

Who utilizes this curriculum?

Developing Your Family Child Care programs are now being used by partners representing a variety of organizations including:

  • Microenterprise Organizations
  • Small Business Development Centers
  • Economic and Community Development Agencies
  • Women and Minority Business Centers
  • Universities and Colleges
  • Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies

Modules