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.
December
Foster and Kinship Care Education (FKCE)
A variety of online classes are available December 2 through December 18 for families, caregivers, parents, and community.
Organization: Saddleback College FKCE
Audience: Orange County resource parents and kinship caregivers
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Dates: Click here to view flier with class schedule
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier and click on registration links to register. After registering, participants receive a confirmation email about joining the class. Call 949-582-4884 or contact scfkce@saddleback.edu or for more information.
Active Parenting School-Age Course
Grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, and anyone who impacts the lives of children are welcome to join. Learn valuable skills including how to communicate effectively, avoid family conflicts, and balance discipline with affection. During this six-session series discuss common parenting challenges including:
- Cooperation and communication
- Responsibility and discipline
- Building courage and self-esteem
- Understanding and redirecting misbehavior
- Active parenting for school
Organization: Olive Crest
Audience: Parents and caregivers with children ages 6-12 years old
Location: Virtual
Dates: Mondays & Wednesdays, December 2-18, 9-11 a.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Pre-registration required. Click here to view flier and registration information.
Toddler Storytime – University Park Library
Ideal for toddlers ages 1-3 years old. Enjoy stories, songs, and activities.
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
Dates: Mondays; December 2, 9, and 16; 10:30-11 a.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier. No registration required. Call 949-786-4001 for more information.
Baby Storytime
Stories, songs, and rhymes, for babies 0-1 years old and their caregivers!
Organization: Irvine Heritage Park Library
Audience: Children 0-1 years old and their parents or caregivers
Location: Irvine Heritage Park Library, 14361 Yale Avenue, Irvine, 92604
Dates: Every Tuesday in December, 10-10:20 a.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier. Call 949-936-4040 for more information.
Play & Learn
Children of all ages have an opportunity to learn through play.
Organization: Irvine Heritage Park Library
Audience: Children of all ages and their parents or caregivers
Location: Irvine Heritage Park Library, 14361 Yale Avenue, Irvine, 92604
Dates: Every Tuesday in December, 10:20-11 a.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Call 949-936-4040 for more information.
Toddler Storytime
Children 1-3 years old and their caregivers enjoy stories, songs, and rhymes,
Organization: Irvine Heritage Park Library
Audience: Children 1-3 years old and their parents or caregivers
Location: Irvine Heritage Park Library, 14361 Yale Avenue, Irvine, 92604
Dates: Tuesdays at 11 a.m. and Thursdays at 10 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: Tuesdays; December 3, 10, and 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 December, 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.
Active Parenting First Five Years Course
Join this course to build strong, healthy relationships with your children, address children’s problem behavior, minimize problems that disrupt family life, and raise responsible, caring children. During this six-part weekly series, discuss such topics as:
- You and your child
- Preventing problems
- Encouraging positive behavior
- Preparing for school success
Tuesdays & Thursdays, December 3-17, 5-7 p.m.
Saturdays, December 7-January 18, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Organization: Olive Crest
Audience: Parents and caregivers with children ages 0-5 years old
Location: Virtual
Dates: See date links above
Fee: Free
Information: Pre-registration required. Click on date links above to view flier and registration information.
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
Date: Wednesday, December 4, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier. Call 949-786-4001 for more information.
Bilingual Storytime
Join for stories, songs, rhymes, and fun in English and other world languages.
- Chinese Storytime, Wednesday, December 4, 3:30 p.m.
- Korean Storytime, Wednesday, December 11, 3:30 p.m.
Organization: Irvine Heritage Park Library
Audience: Children of all ages and their parents or caregivers
Location: Irvine Heritage Park Library, 14361 Yale Avenue, Irvine, 92604
Dates: Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier. Call 949-936-4040 for more information.
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.
Preschool Storytime
Children 3-5 years old and their caregivers enjoy stories, songs, and rhymes.
Organization: Irvine Heritage Park Library
Audience: Children 3-5 years old and their parents or caregivers
Location: Irvine Heritage Park Library, 14361 Yale Avenue, Irvine, 92604
Dates: Thursdays; December 5, 12, and 19; 11-11:20 a.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier. Call 949-936-4040 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 December, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier. Call 949-786-4001 for more information.
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. Click here to RSVP. 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.
Arabic Storytime
Enjoy stories, songs, and crafts in Arabic.
Organization: Irvine Heritage Park Library
Audience: Children up to age 5 and their parents or caregivers
Location: Irvine Heritage Park Library, 14361 Yale Avenue, Irvine, 92604
Date: Sunday, December 15, 11-11:20 a.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier. Call 949-936-4040 for more information.
Chinese Storytime
This storytime is for children interested in stories, songs, and activities in Chinese. Craft to follow storytime. No knowledge of Chinese 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
Date: Monday, December 16, 4:30 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier. Call 949-786-4001 for more information.
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.
Totally Untidy Toddlers
Join for messy sensory station fun! Dress to get messy!
Organization: Irvine Heritage Park Library
Audience: Children up to age 5 and their parents or caregivers
Location: Irvine Heritage Park Library, 14361 Yale Avenue, Irvine, 92604
Date: Wednesday, December 18, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier. Call 949-936-4040 for more information.
Japanese Storytime
Enjoy stories, songs, and crafts, and fun in Japanese.
Organization: Irvine Heritage Park Library
Audience: Children up to age 5 and their parents or caregivers
Location: Irvine Heritage Park Library, 14361 Yale Avenue, Irvine, 92604
Date: Wednesday, December 18, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier. Call 949-936-4040 for more information.
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, December 19, 5-7 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Pre-registration required. RSVP coming soon. Click here for more information.
January 2025
Waiting With Love Prenatal Class: 6-week series
Enhance your pregnancy and parenting journey with a series of group prenatal classes. Learn about the importance of physical and mental health, social connections, and how to access resources. Special guest speakers include a doula and fatherhood specialist.
Organizations: OC Prenatal Connect and Help Me Grow
Audience: Parents expecting a baby
Location: MOMS, 1128 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, 92703
Dates: Wednesdays, January 8-February 12, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Pre-registration required. Click here to view flier and scan QR code to register or call 714-972-2610 for more information.
Transforming Challenging Behavior Through Visionary Leadership: The impact of culture when communicating with staff and families
It is natural for different people to view behavior through their own lenses and respond accordingly, often leading to conflict and confusion for all. Join this webinar to explore the role you play as a support to teachers and families when challenging behavior occurs by:
- Defining your role when challenging behavior occurs
- Recognizing the impact of culture on your leadership style when working with staff and families
- Creating partnerships
Organization: Early Childhood Investigations
Audience: Early childhood professionals
Location: Virtual
Date: Wednesday, January 15, 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.
From the Brink of Leadership Burnout to Your Link to Stability
Discover how to regain control and find stability through self-care, systems, and support. Learn how to safeguard yourself and your school from the brink, ensuring long-term success without sacrificing your well-being.
Organization: Early Childhood Investigations
Audience: Early childhood professionals
Location: Virtual
Date: Wednesday, January 22, 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.
Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC) Parent Education Series: Challenging Behaviors
Join us to discuss ways to manage challenging behaviors in early childhood and explore the meanings behind these behaviors. Gain insights and strategies to better understand and address your child's needs.
Organization: IUSD ECLC
Audience: Parents or caregivers with children who are not yet toilet trained
Location: Virtual
Date: Thursday, January 23, 9:30 a.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to register. More information 949-936-8624 or SchoolReadiness@IUSD.org.
Leading Teachers to Nature-Based Practices: Preparing ourselves as change leaders
Explore the many social-emotional factors that impact your ability to lead change toward a nature-based teaching approach. During this session, we’ll discuss:
- Foundational principles of nature-based pedagogy;
- Inside, Outside, and Beyond as a metaphor for relationships;
- Individual character traits and how they influence leadership related to nature-based education; and
- How we can provide ongoing support for our teams through the shift toward nature-based approaches
Organization: Early Childhood Investigations
Audience: Early childhood program leaders and administrators
Location: Virtual
Date: Wednesday, January 29, 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.
