Child care providers have many opportunities for professional development, but individual preferences will vary. Practical yet creative ways to encourage child care staff to seek opportunities for professional development include:
- Attending a conference as a group. Not only will this make participation more likely, but it can also encourage friendships between child care providers.
- Keeping a calendar in your child care program specifically to notify child care staff of professional development opportunities.
- Funding travel. Child care centers don't have a lot of extra money, but keeping an account specifically for professional travel can encourage child care providers to explore new and different opportunities.
- Asking child care providers to share their experience after attending a conference, lecture, or talk. If you are interested in what they learned, they will be more receptive.
- Sharing your professional development experiences with staff at regular staff meetings
These are only a few suggestions of how to encourage child care staff to seek and value professional development. For more information, check out the eXtension Alliance for Better Child Care section on professional development in child care.
