The 2025 Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) Academy for Program Directors is a virtual training event held from March 20-22 for California infant and toddler program leaders that builds awareness and supports utilization of new materials developed as part of the California Early Learning and Development System. The Academy for Program Directors is presented by the California Department of Social Services, Child Care and Development Division (CDSS-CCDD) and WestEd.
CDSS/CCDD is funding fellowship opportunities for this training and there is no fee to attend.
The foundation of this year’s event is Infant/Toddler Caregiving: Guide to Social–Emotional Growth and Socialization, Third Edition (English; Español), a recently updated publication from WestEd and CDSS. Social-emotional development is fundamental to all areas of young children's development and future learning.
PITC faculty and participants will explore how relationship experiences during infancy and toddlerhood are the foundation for social-emotional development and learning. The concepts presented in the guide and during the Academy are based on current research, and corresponding caregiving practices, to ensure supportive high-quality care environments for infants and toddlers in partnership with their families. Responsive care and relationships are at the heart of social-emotional development.
Online Application
Online applications for the PITC Academy for Program Directors have reached capacity and are now closed.
Information
Click on the following sections below to find out more information.
Sessions will be held on the following dates and times:
- Thursday, March 20, 2025: 1:00-5:30 p.m.
- Friday, March 21, 2025: 1:00-5:00 p.m.
- Saturday, March 22, 2025: 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
This event is designed to support those in leadership roles in California programs serving infants and toddlers, inclusive of preschool programs serving children under 3 years of age.
Leadership roles include:
- Directors and Assistant Directors
- Managers
- Supervisors
- Coordinators
- Curriculum Specialists
- Owners of a Large Family Child Care Home (licensed for 12-14 children)
CDSS-CCDD fully funds fellowship opportunities for California residents to attend the Academy. There are no fees charged to attend this event.
This fellowship covers:
- Tuition
- Infant and toddler learning, development, and care resources
- Fellowships will cover the tuition for all accepted attendees and provide infant and toddler learning, development, and care resources.
- Fellowship awards for California residents are based on the review of an application submitted by Thursday, February 6, 2025, and consideration of geographic, linguistic, and program type diversity. PITC will notify applicants regarding fellowship awards on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
Applications for the Virtual Academy for Program Directors open at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2025, and close at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 6, 2025. First consideration will be given to applications received by Thursday, February 6, 2025. Applications received after the due date will be considered if space allows.
The application consists of four sections:
- Contact
- Organization
- Education and Employment
- Statement of Interest (include details about how your participation will positively impact your program)
- All sections must be completed with sufficient detail to evaluate your related experience and interest in attending the training. Refer to “Review Criteria” section below for guidance.
- Once all sections are completed, make sure to select the Submit button.
- Be sure to check your email (including junk and spam folder) for confirmation that your application was submitted.
- WestEd will review and consider each completed application based on specific criteria (refer to “Review Criteria" section below) 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.
- Applicant’s Title and Position: Participation is limited to Californians in a leadership role in programs serving infants and toddlers, inclusive of preschool programs serving children under 3 years of age.
- Education/Professional Certification: Your educational background, including credit hours in early childhood education (ECE) and Child Development Associate (CDA), and other child development-related licenses, certificates, degrees, and training. This information is collected for data purposes only and does not impact decisions on fellowship awards.
- Past Professional Experience: Professional experiences in child development, with a focus on serving infant and toddlers and program leadership.
- Description of your program. The description should include information on:
- Program type (e.g., campus-based, EHS, EHS-CCP, family child care, Pre-K, CCSP, fee-for-service, etc.)
- Program structure (e.g., number of children served, number of employees, age groups, group size and ratios per age group, etc.)
- Funding sources (i.e., state-funded, privately owned, etc.)
- Statement of interest to participate. Address the following items briefly, but completely:
- Why are you interested in participating in this training project?
- How do you plan to utilize the knowledge gained from this experience on an individual and professional basis? How will the training be disseminated to your childcare community and to others?
- Please describe your professional experiences listed in the Education & Employment section.
- Consideration of geographic, linguistic, and program type diversity are part of the review process.
- Application Confirmation: Once you submit your application, you will receive an email confirming your submission.
- Application Status: You will be notified of your status by the due date.
- Fellowship Announcements: PITC will notify applicants regarding fellowships on Thursday, February 13. Accepted applications will then have to Monday, March 3, 2025 to enroll, which completes the fellowship acceptance process.
- Fellowships funded by CDSS-CCDD for California residents do not require a separate application.
- Waitlist: Qualified applicants who are waitlisted will be invited to enroll if a cancellation occurs and space allows.
We request prompt notification of cancellations by email to PITCEvents@wested.org. Your consideration provides an opportunity for those on the waitlist to attend.
- For any questions, please email PITCEvents@wested.org.
- Visit PITC for updates regarding the Virtual PITC Academy for Program Directors and other training opportunities and resources.