PITC Trainer Institutes
The Institute offers a deep study in PITC content, resources, and approaches to adult learning in the PITC certification process to support infant and toddler programs and educators.
The experience includes interactive virtual synchronous sessions and asynchronous learning in cohort communities to provide a balance of connection and flexibility.
While the training is conducted in English, facilitators offer support and review of certification submissions and journals written in Spanish.
October through May (~110 hours)
English
Varies - See Fees
About the PITC Trainer Institute
The Institute offers a community-of-practice approach to learning PITC content to support the development of certified trainers who can meet the unique needs of diverse childcare settings and educators in their communities. The Institute features a blend of engaging, interactive virtual sessions with faculty, as well as facilitated, online learning experiences in a community of peers.
Each year, PITC opens with 5 days of synchronous learning for an orientation to PITC through faculty presentations that build understanding and confidence in the certification requirements and the four PITC modules. Participants also build relationships within their cohorts and smaller discussion groups to support their learning journey.
Next, we transition to 24 weeks of asynchronous online learning. While asynchronous, participants are very much connected to one another and their cohort facilitators through online discussions, reflective journaling, supportive peer relationships, and coaching from their facilitator to support individualized learning and certification.
Trainer certification is integrated into each of the 16 topics within the 4 PITC modules, which provide content with real-world application opportunities to enhance practice in the supportive online learning community.
This model upholds PITC’s goal to support infant care educators and programs to recognize and implement crucially important relationship-based practices and design of care environments that are responsive to infants, toddlers, their families, and indeed to the educators themselves.
Each year, we conclude with a 2-day synchronous wrap-up offering interactive virtual sessions with PITC faculty and facilitators.
For any questions, please email PITCEvents@wested.org.
- Download Program Overview
- Download PITC Virtual Trainer Institute 2025-2026 Calendar (print-only)
- PITC Virtual Trainer Institute 2026-2027 Calendar - COMING SOON!
The PITC Trainer Institute provides an in-depth look at the PITC philosophy and best practices for high-quality infant and toddler care. This course combines interactive virtual sessions with faculty and online learning with peers. Enhance your skills through four engaging professional development modules:
- Module 1: Social-Emotional Growth and Socialization, October 6–November 23
- Module 2: Group Care, December 1–February 1
- Module 3: Learning and Development, February 2–March 15
- Module 4: Culture, Family, and Providers, March 23–April 26
Note: The dates above are for 2025-26.
Each module includes:
- Engaging online tools including readings, videos, and activities
- Development of one Learning Experience Outline (LEO)
- Weekly journaling for each topic
- Expanding the LEO of your choice to a full Learning Experience Plan (LEP)
An orientation meeting is a step in the application process. The orientation is a short conversation to support each applicant and their supervisor (when applicable) to learn about and plan for the eight-month PITC Trainer Institute journey. Knowing what to expect during the synchronous events, as well as the 24 weeks of online learning and certification activities that occur between October and May, provides a path to success in certification.
The orientation meetings are scheduled individually or for multiple participants within one agency to allow PITC to address your questions fully. The PITC Trainer Institute experience is most successful when you have support from your personal or professional community and your PITC learning community of faculty, peers, and your facilitator.
The Completion Option is available to those who attended a previous PITC Trainer Institute, are certified in two or more modules, and want to return for full PITC certification.
For those who hold certification in one module, we invite you to enroll for the PITC Trainer Institute for Modules 1-4. While much of PITC content remains relevant, some of our topics have evolved due to new learning from the research. Also, our new approach embeds certification in the learning community of peers and a facilitator.
To begin the PITC Completion Option application process, please email PITCEvents@wested.org.
Fees for Attending the PITC Trainer Institute
The tuition fee for the PITC Trainer Institute will be announced in early 2026 and will cover:
- PITC resources and supplementary reading materials
- Brief pre-enrollment orientations (multiple dates and times)
- PITC Launch: 5-days of virtual sessions with faculty and online learning
- One facilitated 2-hour Learning Experience Plan session in late October (multiple dates and times)
- Online Learning: 24-weeks with facilitators and peers with embedded certification
- Modules: four facilitated opening sessions (90 minutes each) to highlight resources, climate of care, and training strategies for each module
- PITC Wrap-Up: 2 consecutive days of virtual sessions in late May with peers and faculty
Benefits of Attending the PITC Trainer Institute and Certification
This Institute will prepare participants to:
- To support high-quality responsive care, the Institute models a community-of-practice approach to learning PITC content and adult learning design principles to design and facilitate effective and personalized training for infant care educators across diverse care settings.
- Build your capacity to support improving the quality of infant and toddler care, including mixed-age group settings in your local program, community, and state.
- Deepen your understanding of how to enhance the professional development of infant and toddler care educators in diverse group settings.
- Join the PITC community of learners and network with peers.
PITC certification benefits:
- Child Care Resource Specialists, Coaches, and Trainers who want to deepen their understanding of how to enhance the professional development of infant and toddler care educators.
- Program Leaders, including owners of Large Family Child Care Homes, and Lead and Mentor Teachers, who want to join the PITC community of learners and network with peers.
- Early Interventionists and Mental Health Consultants who want to build their capacity to support improving the quality of infant and toddler care.
- Preschool Directors and Lead Teachers who serve 2-year-olds in mixed-age classrooms, and will share PITC knowledge learned with their colleagues.
- Higher Education Faculty and Early Childhood Apprenticeship Coordinators who are training the next generation of early childhood professionals.
Click on the following sections below to find out more information.
The application consists of five sections:
- Contact Information
- Organization Information
- Education and Employment
- Training Experience (inclusive of previous training, coaching, and teaching experiences)
- Statement of Interest to Participate (include a detailed summary of how your Institute participation will positively impact your program and/or community)
- All sections must be complete with sufficient detail to evaluate your related experience and interest in attending the Institute. Refer to “Review Criteria” section for guidance.
- Once all sections are completed, including your detailed statement of interest essay section, make sure to select the Submit button.
- Be sure to check your email (including junk/spam folder) for confirmation that your application was submitted.
- Applicant’s Title and Position: Description of your current position and role in coaching, leadership, and training activities in the field of child development, specifically infant and toddler development and care. Priority is given to those currently providing professional development to programs and communities serving infants and toddlers, as well as applicants nominated by their local quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) administrator. Please note significant volunteerism or participation in local initiatives to improve the quality of care for infants and toddlers are considered as well.
- Education/Professional Certification: Your educational background, including credit hours in early childhood education and child development, CDA, ECE training, and other ECE or child development-related certificates and degrees.
- Past Professional Experience: Professional experiences in child development, with a focus on infant and toddler coaching and/or training activities you have planned and conducted.
- Interest and Intent to Provide Training: The purpose of participating; what you hope to learn; how you plan to utilize the training experience in your work in the infant/toddler community; and the types of coaching and training experiences you intend to conduct. Consideration of geographic, linguistic, and program type diversity is part of the review process for California applicants.
WestEd will review and consider each completed application based on specific criteria (refer to “Review Criteria” section) and space availability.
WestEd does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.
Upcoming Event
Virtual PITC Trainer Institute
What people are saying...
“The training was of the highest quality, with relevant content, expert facilitators, and a practical approach that significantly enriched both my professional and personal development.”
“The level of professionalism of all the staff goes above and beyond.”
“It significantly enhanced my ability to effectively guide and support the audience I train.”