Training Calendar

The Child Care Coordination Office compiles this list of workshops and training events for individuals caring for children in order to support all areas of children’s development from birth through elementary age. These events are organized by third-party organizations, unless otherwise noted, and are not managed by the City of Irvine.

Please see the upcoming live and virtual workshops listed below to continue your professional development or parent education journey.

To view a list of recorded webinars and self-paced online training modules, as well as additional resources, please visit our On-Demand Training and Resources page.

November

Early Childhood Education at Irvine Valley College, Fall 2024

Looking for Early Childhood Education units? See below for class start dates. 

  • Creative Development (HD131), 11/9/24 - 12/18/24; Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2:50 p.m.
  • Administration of Schools for Young Children - Program (HD 190) online
  • Challenging Behaviors in School-Age Children (HD 253), 11/16/24 - 11/23/24; Saturdays, 9 a.m.-2:50 p.m.

Organization: Irvine Valley College
Audience: Adults interested in working with children
Location: In-person and online
Dates: Fall 2024, registration open now
Fee: Unit fees apply
Information: Click here to view flier and scan QR code for more information. Click here to view all OPEN (as of October 1) Human Development class descriptions and schedule. Register online at https://www.ivc.edu/admissions/get-started. More information contact dking@ivc.edu or 949-451-5617. 

Toddler Storytime 

Children 1-3 years old and their parents or caregivers enjoy stories, songs, and rhymes.

Organization: Irvine University Park Library  
Audience: Children 1-3 years old and their parents or caregivers
Location: Irvine University Park Library, 4512 Sandburg Way, Irvine, 92612 
Date:  Every Monday for the remainder of the year, 10:30-11 a.m.
Fee:  Free  
Information: Click here to view flier. Call 949-936-4040 for more information.

Preschool Storytime

Children 2-4 years old and their caregivers enjoy stories, songs, and crafts.

Organization: Irvine University Park Library    
Audience: Children 2-4 years old and their parents or caregivers
Location: Irvine University Park Library, 4512 Sandburg Way, Irvine, 92612 
Dates: Every Tuesday through December 17, 10:30-11:15 a.m.   
Fee: Free  
Information: Click here to view flier. Call 949-786-4001 for more information.

Kindergarten Readiness Storytime

Introduces and reinforces basic reading, math, and social skills. Fun stories, songs, and more. Meet new friends and stay for a craft. Siblings are welcome.

Organization: Irvine Katie Wheeler Library
Audience: Children 3-5 years old and their caregivers
Location: Irvine Katie Wheeler Library, 13109 Old Myford Rd., 92602
Dates: Every Tuesday in November, 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier. No registration required. Visit ocpl.org/libraries/irvine-katie-wheeler or call 714-669-8753 for more information.

Japanese Storytime & Craft

This storytime is for children interested in stories, songs, and activities in Japanese. Craft to follow storytime. No knowledge of Japanese necessary. 

Organization: Irvine University Park Library  
Audience: Children of all ages and their parents or caregivers
Location: Irvine University Park Library, 4512 Sandburg Way, Irvine, 92612 
Dates:  November 13; 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Fee:  Free  
Information: Click here to view flier. Call 949-786-4001 for more information.

Pajama Storytime

Join for an evening of songs, stories, and activities. Ideal for children ages 2-6 years old and the whole family.

Organization: Irvine University Park Library  
Audience: Children ages 2-6 and their parents or caregivers
Location:  Irvine University Park Library, 4512 Sandburg Way, Irvine, 92612 
Dates:  Every Wednesday in November, 5:30-6 p.m.
Fee:  Free  
Information: Click here to view flier. Call 949-786-4001 for more information.

Meet & Play

Babies, toddlers, and their parents or caregivers are invited to meet up and play. Children play and learn with toys in the children’s area. Parents or caregivers can meet others and share resources, and more!

Organization: Irvine University Park Library  
Audience: Children 0-3 years old and their parents or caregivers
Location: Irvine University Park Library, 4512 Sandburg Way, Irvine, 92612 
Dates:  Every Thursday in November (excluding holidays), 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Fee:  Free  
Information: Click here to view flier. Call 949-786-4001 for more information.

Learning Link Activity Center

Free interactive opportunity for parents and their children ages 0-5; includes activities for parents and their child to do together. Parents and children engage in hands-on and interactive learning through play and exploration. Professionals available to answer questions regarding parenting, cognitive/academic, and social/emotional development. Community resources and referrals also available.

Organization: IUSD Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC)
Audience: Parents or caregivers and their children 0-5 years old
Location: ECLC, 1 Smoketree Lane, Irvine, 92604
Dates: Mondays, 8:45-10:45 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; or Fridays, 8:45-10:15 a.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Registration for each session is required for all families. Click here to view the brochure for more information. Participation requires parent to complete the District Volunteer Application online form, Child Participation Form, and session registration. Check in at Room 1 at ECLC with your photo ID ready to be scanned. Email SchoolReadiness@iusd.org for more information or call 949-936-5890.

Discovery Days at Centennial Farm

During a Discovery Day, “farmers” are stationed around the farm available to answer questions and provide information. Upon check-in, participants receive a map to aid in getting around and seeing all Centennial Farm has to offer. Also includes an opportunity for children to pet a chick and plant a radish seed.

Organization: Orange County Fair & Event Center
Audience: Open to all ages
Location: OC Fair & Event Center, Centennial Farm, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, 92626
Date: Tuesday, November 5, 9 a.m.–Noon
Fee: Free admission and parking
Information: Online reservations required for groups of 10 or more people. Click here for more information.

Building a Financial Framework for Your ECE Program’s Future

Learning objectives:

  • Find out what a financially healthy school’s numbers look like in each expense category.
  • Understand the impact of cash flow within a childcare business and how to best manage it.
  • Gain access to a proven financial model for your early learning school.
  • Discover the five areas that will get you 95% of the way to strong financial health.

Organization: Early Childhood Investigations
Audience: Early childhood business owners and administrators
Location: Virtual 
Date: Wednesday, November 6, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Fee: Free  
Information: Click here to register. If unable to attend live webinar, all registered participants receive a link to the recording when it is ready to be viewed.

Russian Storytime 

For children interested in stories, songs, and activities in Russian. No knowledge of Russian necessary; includes free craft! 

Organization: Irvine University Park Library  
Audience: Parents with young children  
Location: Irvine University Park Library, 4512 Sandburg Way, Irvine, 92612 
Dates: Wednesdays; November 6, December 4; 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Fee:  Free  
Information:  Click here to view flier. Call 949-786-4001 for more information.

The Happiest Preschool: How to Foster Playful Learning and a Curious, Cooperative, and Joyful Classroom

Discuss how preschool programs and classrooms can offer a joyful culture of caring, cooperation, creativity, learning, and social-emotional health. Learning objectives:

  • How to manage children’s behavior using loving regulation, that is, positively and without any negativity.
  • What is age-appropriate for preschool and kindergarten children, and how to adjust your expectations of them accordingly.
  • Why skills are best learned in active play based on each individual child’s interests.
  • How to connect children’s fantasy play to underlying concerns and wishes.
  • To help children be all of themselves by acknowledging and accepting all of their feelings.

Organization: Early Childhood Investigations
Audience: Early childhood business owners and administrators
Location: Virtual 
Date: Thursday, November 7, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Fee:  Free  
Information: Click here to register. If unable to attend live webinar, all registered participants receive a link to the recording when it is ready to be viewed.

Neurodivergent Family Night

Join families with children and their parents, siblings or caretakers in an environment designed to be sensory-friendly. Socialize with other parents and meet community partners who specialize in supporting the neurodiverse community. This is a recurring event that occurs the 2nd Tuesday and 4th Thursday of every month.

Organization: Pretend City Children’s Museum
Audience: Families with children of all ages from the neurodiverse community and with other disabilities
Location: Pretend City Children’s Museum, 29 Hubble, Irvine, 92618
Date: Tuesday, November 12, 5-7 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Pre-registration required. RSVP coming soon. Click here for more information. 

Evidence-Based Protocols for Effective Staff Supervision in Early Childhood

In this webinar, participants will:

  • Uncover the characteristics that set the most effective supervisors apart.
  • Explore how different supervisory styles affect employees’ perceptions of their roles and job satisfaction.
  • Understand the pivotal role working conditions play in teacher attrition and the critical importance of administrative support.
  • Explore The Supervision Protocol, a comprehensive approach to supervision that includes identifying desired outcomes, specifying staff responsibilities, training, monitoring, support, correction, and evaluation.
  • Learn to apply these principles in your supervisory role, advocate for your needs, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Organization: Early Childhood Investigations
Audience: Early childhood professionals
Location: Virtual
Date: Thursday, November 14, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to register. If unable to attend the live webinar, all registrants receive an email with the recording link the next business day after the live presentation.

Pedagogy of Care for Infants and Toddlers

In this webinar, participants will learn:

  • Foundational principles for working with infants and toddlers in ECE settings.
  • The significance of care for learning and development.
  • Respectful and responsive practices for care routines.
  • Suggestions on how to prepare environments for care routines.
  • Strategies for prioritizing care in your setting.

Organization: Early Childhood Investigations
Audience: Early childhood professionals
Location: Virtual
Date: Wednesday, November 20, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to register. If unable to attend the live webinar, all registrants receive an email with the recording link the next business day after the live presentation.

Neurodivergent Family Night

Join families with children and their parents, siblings or caretakers in an environment designed to be sensory-friendly. Socialize with other parents and meet community partners who specialize in supporting the neurodiverse community. This is a recurring event that occurs the 2nd Tuesday and 4th Thursday of every month.

Organization: Pretend City Children’s Museum
Audience: Families with children of all ages from the neurodiverse community and with other disabilities
Location: Pretend City Children’s Museum, 29 Hubble, Irvine, 92618
Date: Thursday, November 21, 5-7 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Pre-registration required. RSVP coming soon. Click here for more information. 

December

Teaching Critical Thinking About TV, Videos, Online Games, and Apps in Early Childhood

In this webinar, participants will learn:

  • Practical, ready-to-implement strategies to help young children develop the foundational skills and knowledge they’ll need to thrive in their media-rich world.
  • Media literacy education methods that provide you with the tools you need to address concerns about media without removing technology from children’s lives or ignoring the concerns.
  • Developmentally appropriate ways to use media literacy inquiry in early childhood to lay a foundation for the type of active citizenship that is essential for a vibrant and healthy democracy in a digital world.

Organization: Early Childhood Investigations
Audience: Early childhood professionals
Location: Virtual
Date: Wednesday, December 4, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to register. If unable to attend the live webinar, all registrants receive an email with the recording link the next business day after the live presentation.

Neurodivergent Family Night

Join families with children and their parents, siblings or caretakers in an environment designed to be sensory-friendly. Socialize with other parents and meet community partners who specialize in supporting the neurodiverse community. This is a recurring event that occurs the 2nd Tuesday and 4th Thursday of every month.

Organization: Pretend City Children’s Museum
Audience: Families with children of all ages from the neurodiverse community and with other disabilities
Location: Pretend City Children’s Museum, 29 Hubble, Irvine, 92618
Date: Tuesday, December 10, 5-7 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Pre-registration required. RSVP coming soon. Click here for more information. 

Measuring Classroom Equity to Drive Quality Improvement

In this webinar, participants will learn:

  • The need for a focus on racial equity in education systems.
  • Why it is important to measure equitable interactions in preschool.
  • The tools of the Assessing Classroom Sociocultural Equity Scale (ACSES), to learn about this framework to help measure and support equitable interactions in early childhood classrooms.

Organization: Early Childhood Investigations
Audience: Early childhood professionals
Location: Virtual
Date: Thursday, December 12, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to register. If unable to attend the live webinar, all registrants receive an email with the recording link the next business day after the live presentation.

Discovery Days at Centennial Farm

During a Discovery Day, “farmers” are stationed around the farm available to answer questions and provide information. Upon check-in, participants receive a map to aid in getting around and seeing all Centennial Farm has to offer. Also includes an opportunity for children to pet a chick and plant a radish seed.

Organization: Orange County Fair & Event Center
Audience: Open to all ages
Location: OC Fair & Event Center, Centennial Farm, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, 92626
Date: Monday, December 16, 9 a.m.–Noon
Fee: Free admission and parking
Information: Online reservations required for groups of 10 or more people. Click here for more information.