Upcoming Professional Learning Opportunities
Explore NAEYC’s upcoming webinars designed to support early childhood educators at every stage of their professional journey. These live, interactive sessions offer timely insights, practical strategies, and expert perspectives on critical topics shaping early learning today. Join us to deepen your knowledge, connect with peers across the field, and strengthen your practice through accessible, high‑quality professional learning.
Navigating NAEYC's Early Learning Program Quality Assessment and Accreditation - Series
This series will provide an overview of the new quality assessment and accreditation system designed for early learning programs. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the updated process for pursuing accreditation, including key processes, timelines, and expectations. The series will also take a deep dive into the specific early learning program assessment items related to program and family policies. Through discussion and practical examples, participants will explore best practices and key considerations for aligning their program’s policies with the NAEYC early learning program accreditation system requirements. By the end of the series, participants will be prepared to engage in continual evaluation of key policies and support their program’s readiness for accreditation.
By the end of this series, participants will:
- Gain an understanding of the new quality assessment and accreditation system, including the overall process early learning programs must follow when pursuing accreditation.
- Be able to identify and apply best practices and key considerations related to program and family policies.
- Have the knowledge to align program and family policies with the accreditation assessment items, ensuring their early learning program is well-prepared for a successful assessment and decision.
The completion of this webinar series is equivalent to 4 clock hours or 0.4 CEU with each individual webinar equivalent to 1 clock hour or 0.1 CEU.
As an IACET Accredited Provider, NAEYC offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard.
Webinar 1: Overview of the System
Thursday, March 19th | 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
In this introductory webinar participants will be provided with a clear understanding of the new tiered structure to the Early Learning Program Recognition and Accreditation system, the updated application and assessment processes, and the way these changes are designed to create a more accessible, equitable, and research-aligned system of quality assessment. We will walk through key shifts such as revised assessment items, differentiated evidence types, and the role of site visits to help you navigate the updated framework with confidence. By the end of this session, you will have a strong foundation for how these improvements support quality measurement, continuous improvement, and long-term success.
Session Objectives:
To build understanding of
- The new tiered system
- The application process
- The purpose and process for site visit observations
- How renewal of existing recognition and accreditation terms happen
- Quality Assurance expectations throughout all processes.
Webinar 2: Connecting Policies to NAEYC Recognition and Accreditation
Thursday, April 2nd | 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
The focus of this presentation is on strengthening the connection between written policies and successful recognition and accreditation outcomes. In this session, we will explore how clear, intentional policies form the foundation for high-quality practices in early learning settings. You will learn how policies, procedures, and daily practice align to support NAEYC Recognition and Accreditation. We will examine real examples, reflect on current practices, and build strategies to ensure written policies are both meaningful and actionable. The goal for this session is to empower you with the tools and insights that enhance program quality and deepen you understanding of the recognition and accreditation process.
Session Objectives:
- Distinguish policy, procedure, and practice
- Understand how policy, procedure, and practice work together to support high-quality early learning programs
- Gain practice in organizing various types of policies related to early learning programs
- Understand why policies are an important part of the NAEYC Recognition and Accreditation applications
Webinar 3: Skills for Policy Analysis and Action
Thursday, April 16th | 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
In this session, we will explore how strong, well-designed policies support high-quality early learning environments ensure alignment with the NAEYC Recognition and Accreditation expectations. Building on the foundation from earlier webinars, we will focus on developing the skills needed to analyze, evaluate, and revise policies with clarity, equity, and intentionality. We will examine real policy examples, discuss common challenges, and identify practical strategies that programs can immediately apply. By the end of this session, you will feel more confident using policy analysis as a powerful tool for continuous quality improvement.
Session Objectives:
- Identify the qualities and key components of effective policies
- Broadly understand the key considerations in revising existing policies
- Build awareness of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a useful tool in policy development
- Gain practice in evaluating existing policies with the goal of continuous improvement
Webinar 4: Analyzing Policy Quality and Project Management for Long-term Success
Thursday, April 30th | 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
In this final session of a four-part series, we will explore how to analyze policy quality with a child-centered, developmentally appropriate approach. We will examine strategies for operationalizing policies, so they move beyond written expectations and truly shape ongoing, daily practice. Finally, we will look at project management approaches that support long-term policy implementation and success. Together, these components will help early learning programs interested in NAEYC Recognition and Accreditation to strengthen their alignment to the relevant standards and provide clarity in how to best prepare for application submissions.
Session Objectives:
- Build skills in evaluating and writing child-centered guidance and discipline policies through the lens of developmentally appropriate practice
- Learn how to operationalize policies into effective practice
- Understand how to prepare relevant policies for the NAEYC Recognition and Accreditation applications
- Receive helpful resources to manage the continual process of evaluating, revising, and writing effective policies and procedures