Training & Support
PITC provides a dynamic combination of online and onsite training facilitated by leading experts in early development and care.
FOR FAMILY CHILD CARE AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROVIDERS
PITC supports education leaders responsible for training those who care for infants and toddlers. These leaders include family child care providers; trainers; coaches; higher education faculty; early childhood program directors, resource teachers, site supervisors or educational coordinators; child care resource specialists; and child care consultants.
Trainer Institutes
PITC Trainer Institutes focuses on the PITC philosophy and recommended practices that support high-quality infant and toddler care.
Our new hybrid approach blends in-person and online learning experiences with a community of peers and real-world application opportunities to enhance practice. Trainer certification is available upon completion of the program.
Academy for Family Child Care
The Academy for Family Child Care (FCC) is a six-session virtual training event for California FCC Providers whose enrollment includes infants and/or toddlers. The Academy is designed to provide Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) training highlighting the unique assets and challenges of FCC through specialized training to support infant/toddler care.
Academy for Program Directors
PITC’s Academy for Program Directors for infant/toddler program leaders, builds awareness and supports utilization of new resources developed as part of the California Early Learning and Development System. Participants explore how these resources can be used to support:
- Program quality enhancements,
- Child development and care, and
- Curriculum planning.
Home Visiting Institutes
PITC Home Visiting Institutes – for home visitors, family support specialists, supervisors and staff – integrates the best practices in home visiting with the latest knowledge in child development to provide effective home visiting services to families and young children.
FOR TEACHERS AND CARE PROVIDERS
The PITC Regional Support Network, offers subsidized on-site training, mentoring and coaching in the PITC Philosophy and companion CDE resources to groups of infant/toddler care teachers, administrators, and family child care providers.
Facilitated Online Courses
PITC Regional Support Network online courses, conducted in partnership with California State University, Fresno, cover principles of the PITC philosophy to promote high quality responsive, relationship-based infant and toddler care.
Coursework hours include flexible online “in-class time” and the completion of readings, group discussions, reflections, knowledge checks, assignments and job embedded practice.
On-site Training
PITC Regional Support Network on-site training, conducted by experienced PITC certified infant/toddler specialists, is tailored to the individual needs of each participating program and includes a comprehensive series of videos and active adult learning strategies.
Trainers mentor and coach program staff on implementing the PITC philosophy and essential policies to promote high quality responsive, relationship-based infant and toddler care.
Regional Seminars
Regional seminars, offered in local communities across California, provide an overview of California’s Infant/Toddler Learning and Development System. These seminars focus on publications by the California Department of Education, Early Learning and Care Division.
- Infant/Toddler Learning and Development Foundations
- Infant/Toddler Curriculum Framework
- Infant/Toddler Learning & Development Program Guidelines
Resources
The PITC Online Library houses a collection of multimedia resources selected by our faculty that support the philosophy, practice and teaching of PITC by all infant/toddler professionals. PITC Certified Trainers and training participants receive special access to additional resources.
Topic Overview: Temperament
Video Clip - Space to Grow - Creating a Child Care Environment for Infants and Toddlers (2nd Edition)
Topic Overview: Brain Development in Infants and Toddlers
The Protective Urges of Caregivers of Infants and Toddlers: Dealing With Feelings
Testimonials
"This experience has reconfirmed my philosophy in care, my confidence, and has allowed me to continue to grow in how I engage and set up my environment. My program is ever changing so I appreciate opportunities to have you [PITC] here and give guidance and support...I value my role in the children and families lives. Thank you for helping me continue to offer support and a space that is welcoming and respectful."
"Everything we studied from responsive caregiving to creating partnerships with families were already part of our program practices so we have the opportunity to reflect and renew our commitment to quality programing for infant, toddlers and families. The beauty of working with an entire team is that everyone has the time and opportunity to reflect on practice and understand the meaning and importance of the caregivers role. It is an inclusive model of learning and reflection that has been a tremendous gift to our infant-toddler program team.
"Early in my career, circa 1996-2001, I worked as a toddler master teacher, home visitor with babies birth to 3 years of age and also as a site supervisor of an infant and toddler center within the Early Head Start Program…. PITC was amazing as it provided me with the foundations for supporting quality care for our infants and toddlers. I now had the understanding of the six essential policies that became our guiding principles for our program in Early Head Start."
See it in Practice
Hear directly from infant and toddler care providers through interviews, video examples, and print resources to learn how they implement PITC's Six Essential Policies & practices in a variety of early care and education settings.
Learn more about PITC's six essential policies|Download PITC Six Essential Policies Handout to share with colleagues