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.
May
Introducing the Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) Program Assessment and Reflection System (PARS)
Learn about a new resource, the PITC PARS. This resource supports observation, documentation, and reflection on the quality of care for infants and toddlers in family child care and center-based settings. Participants will learn about the origins of the PITC PARS and how family child care providers, infant/toddler care program staff, coaches, and others can use this tool to support quality care for children birth to 3 years old.
Organization: WestEd
Audience: Early childhood professionals
Location: Virtual
Date: Friday, May 17; 12-12:50 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here for more information and registration link.
Arabic Storytime
Children and families of all ages enjoy stories, songs, and crafts in Arabic.
Organization: Irvine Heritage Park Library
Audience: Parents with children
Location: Irvine Heritage Park Library, 14361 Yale, Irvine, 92604
Date: Sunday, May 19, 11 a.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier. Call 949-936-4040 for more information.
Learning Link Activity Center
Includes activities for parents or caregivers to do with their children. Parent educator available to answer questions regarding general development, parenting, cognitive/academic, and social/emotional development. Also includes community resources and referrals.
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 and Wednesdays, 8:45-10:45 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here for more information and to sign up. Participation requires parent to complete the District Volunteer Application online form. 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: Monday, May 20, 9 a.m.–Noon. Click here to view additional dates.
Fee: Free admission and parking
Information: Online reservations required for groups of 10 or more people. Click here for more information.
PJ Campfire Storytime
Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers.
Organization: Irvine Heritage Park Library
Audience: Parents or caregivers and their children
Location: Irvine Heritage Park Library, 14361 Yale Avenue, Irvine, 92604
Date: Monday, May 20; 5:30 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier for all May English Storytimes at Heritage Park Library.
Registration: No registration required. Call 949-936-4040 for more information.
Baby Storytime
Babies 0-1 years old and their caregivers enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, and fun!
Organization: Irvine Heritage Park Library
Audience: Babies 0-1 years old and their caregivers
Location: Irvine Heritage Park Library, 14361 Yale, Irvine, 92604
Date: Tuesday, May 21, 10 a.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier for all May English Storytimes at Heritage Park Library. 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: Parents and caregivers with young children
Location: Irvine Heritage Park Library, 14361 Yale, Irvine, 92604
Dates: Tuesday, May 21, 10:20 a.m.; and Thursday, 23, 10:20 a.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier for all May English Storytimes at Heritage Park Library. 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 caregivers
Location: Irvine Heritage Park Library, 14361 Yale, Irvine, 92604
Dates: Tuesday, May 21, 11 a.m.; and Thursday, May 23, 10 a.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier for all May English Storytimes at Heritage Park Library. Call 949-936-4040 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, 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.
Persian Storytime
Children and families of all ages will enjoy stories, songs, and fingerplays in English and other world languages.
Organization: Irvine Heritage Park Library
Audience: Parents with children
Location: Irvine Heritage Park Library, 14361 Yale, Irvine, 92604
Date: Wednesday, May 22, 3:30 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier for all 2024 Bilingual Storytimes. Call 949-936-4040 for more information.
Your Baby’s Amazing Brain
A 48-foot traveling, walk-through and interactive mobile exhibition designed to showcase the importance of developing minds in infants and toddlers, from birth to age 5. Features 15 interactive exhibits in multiple languages highlighting important areas of young minds.
- Tuesday, May 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 22, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Thursday, May 23, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Organization: Museum of Teaching and Learning (MOTAL)
Audience: Parents and caregivers with children 0-5 years old
Location: The Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, 92833
Dates: See above
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier. Click here for more information. Additional workshops/classes will be available at an extra charge. Call 714-738-6595 or visit themuck.org for more information and workshop registration.
Workforce Pathways Stipend Program: Orientation and Enrollment 2024-2025
The 2024-2025 Workforce Pathways Stipend Program is intended to increase the number of qualified early learning and care professionals through educational credentials, knowledge, and competencies. This program is open to early learning professionals (teachers and family child care providers) working directly with children ages birth to 5 years old (infant, toddlers, and preschool). You must attend one orientation date to participate in this program.
Tuesday, May 21, 6-7:30 p.m., OCDE, 200 Kalmus Dr., Costa Mesa, 92626
Thursday, May 23, 6-7:30 p.m., Boys and Girls Club of Garden Grove, 10540 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove, CA 92840
Tuesday, May 28, 6-7:30 p.m., OCDE, 200 Kalmus Dr., Costa Mesa, 92626
Wednesday, May 29, 6-7:30 p.m., Lutheran Church of the Cross, 24231 El Toro Rd., Laguna Woods, 92637
Organizations: Orange County Child Care and Development Planning Council and Orange County Department of Education (OCDE)
Audience: Early learning and care professionals
Location: Click here to view flier with orientation dates and locations
Dates: See date options above for in-person orientations
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier for more information. Click here to register (must have Workforce Registry ID number). For program questions please email Melissa Wheelahan mwheelahan@ocde.us.
Baby/Toddler Storytime & Sensory Play
Children 0-3 years old and their caregivers enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, and fun!
Organization: Irvine Heritage Park Library
Audience: Children 0-3 years old and their caregivers
Location: Irvine Heritage Park Library, 14361 Yale, Irvine, 92604
Date: Wednesday, May 22, 10 a.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier for all May English Storytimes at Heritage Park Library. Call 949-936-4040 for more information.
Ways to Engage Fathers in Your Program
Learn ways to engage and include dads in programming to strengthen families.
Organization: Orange County Fatherhood Coalition
Audience: Child care and service providers
Location: Virtual
Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2-3:30 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier and scan QR code to register or click here to register. Presenters include First 5 Orange County, Orange County Department of Education, and Social Security Administration.
Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQI+ Children, Youth and Adults
Attend this training to:
- Learn about LGBTQI+ individuals throughout history
- Review terminology
- Increase knowledge about important risk factors of LGBTQI+ individuals' mental health
- Learn about the 'coming out continuum'
- Learn tips to provide family, school and community support for LGBTQI+ individuals
Organization: Behavioral Health Training Collaborative
Audience: Parents, adults, and caregivers
Location: Virtual
Date: Wednesday, May 22, 4-5:30 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Pre-registration required, click here to register.
Inclusive Foundations: Navigating Early Childhood Referrals, Support, and Communication
Learn about early childhood inclusive support systems. Discuss the framework surrounding assessment procedures and critical timelines. Gain practical strategies for effectively supporting children in need.
Organization: Orange County Child Care and Development Planning Council
Audience: Early learning and child care providers
Location: Virtual
Date: Wednesday, May 22, 6:30-8 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier. Click here to register by May 20. Contact ellamas@ocde.us or 714-966-4386 with registration questions.
Preschool Storytime
Children 3 - 5 years old and their caregivers enjoy stories, songs, and rhymes!.
Organization: Irvine Heritage Park Library
Audience: Parents with children
Location: Irvine Heritage Park Library, 14361 Yale, Irvine, 92604
Date: Thursday, May 23, 11 a.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to view flier for all May English Storytimes at Heritage Park Library. 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, May 23, 5-7 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Pre-registration required. RSVP coming soon. Click here for more information.
Origami Hour
Join for an hour of origami. Learn how to fold a paper flower.
Organization: Irvine Katie Wheeler Library
Audience: Children of all ages
Location: Irvine Katie Wheeler Library, 13109 Old Myford Rd., 92602
Date: Saturday, May 25, 11 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.
Resilience and Hope
Learn practical strategies, tactics, and tools to bolster mental health and emotional resilience. .
Organizations: Behavioral Health Training Collaborative
Audience: Parents, adults, and caregivers
Location: Virtual
Date: Wednesday, May 29, 10-11 a.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Pre-registration required, click here to register.
Active Parenting First Five Years Course
Join this six course weekly series to discuss such topics as:
- You and your child
- Preventing behavioral problems
- Encouraging positive behavior
- Preparing for school success
Organization: Olive Crest
Audience: Parents and caregivers having children 0 - 5 years old
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Dates: Thursdays, May 30 - July 11 (no class July 4), 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Pre-registration required, click here to view flier and registration information. Call 949-764-8100 or email NewportMesaFRC@factoc.org for more information.
June
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, June 3, 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.
Curated Moments: Infant and Toddler Environments
Discuss the many creative, cognitive, social, and joyful discoveries of very young children and gain practical strategies for designing environments, offering materials, and curating experiences.
Organization: edWeb.net
Audience: Early childhood educators and caregivers
Location: Virtual
Date: Wednesday, June 5, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to register. All registered participants receive an email with a link to the recording the next business day if unable to attend live session.
Cultivating Creativity: Leveraging Process Art + Play to Prioritize Agency, Flow and Belonging
In this presentation, participants will:
- Reflect on your practice in inviting and supporting open-ended art and play.
- Understand the differences between guided/directed art and play and experiences that prioritize choice and agency.
- Recognize the benefits of process art and play for the whole child.
- Plan for an open-ended experience with everyday materials in your classroom.
- Embrace a flexible mindset and belief that children are capable and full of creative potential.
Organization: Early Childhood Investigations
Audience: Early childhood educators
Location: Virtual
Date: Wednesday, June 5, 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.
June Open-Door Session
Facilitated by an experienced Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant in a confidential space for caregivers to reflect, seek supportive input, share ideas and resources, discuss development, and network within a community. Family, Friend & Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, Family Child Care Home (FCCH) providers, and center-based staff are encouraged to attend this interactive session with questions, concerns and challenges related to infant, toddler, and young children’s social, emotional, and behavioral health.
Organization: Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Network
Audience: Early childhood caregivers
Location: Virtual
Date: Monday, June 10, 6-7 p.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to register.
Let’s Go Potty!
Get suggestions on how to start toilet training your toddler.
Organization: Services for Families with Young Children
Audience: Parents and caregivers with young children not yet potty trained
Location: Virtual
Date: Wednesday, June 12, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. or 5-6 p.m.
Information: Click here to register. More information 855-955-5092 or email SFYC@ThePriorityCenter.org.
Building Blocks for Supporting all Children in Inclusive Settings
Discuss updates to the book The Building Blocks for Teaching all Children in Inclusive Settings and share specific tools for using this framework in your setting. In this workshop, participants will:
- Analyze a child’s participation to determine which supports might be the most useful.
- Identify several different types of curriculum modifications to promote the participation, engagement, and access for children who need additional support.
- Create plans for supporting at least one child in their setting, using tools from Building Blocks.
Organization: Early Childhood Investigations
Audience: Early childhood educators
Location: Virtual
Date: Wednesday, June 12, 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.
July
Current Trends in Early Education and How to Leverage Them to Grow Your Business
Learn the latest trends in early education and child care and learn how to use these trends to market and grow your child care business. Discuss the latest data on what parents are looking for, search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), and using tools including AI and ChatGPT in the most useful ways.
Organization: Association for Early Learning Leaders
Audience: Child care business owners
Location: Virtual
Date: Wednesday, July 31, 10-11 a.m.
Fee: Free
Information: Click here to register.
August
Nurturing Play and Creativity in Young Children Through Everyday Conversation
Gain strategies for nurturing children’s play and creativity through everyday conversational prompts, scaffolds, and questions. By the end of this webinar, you will be able to:
- Identify the key reasons why play and creativity are so powerful in young children’s development and why everyday conversation plays a critical role.
- Recognize main strategies for everyday conversation to support play and creativity, including scaffolds by age and stage.
- Reflect on their own strengths and challenges in encouraging play and creativity and develop a plan to enhance their abilities.
Organization: Early Childhood Investigations
Audience: Early childhood professionals
Location: Virtual
Date: Wednesday, August 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.
