How Does Professional Development at Children of America Build the Foundation for a Lasting Career?

Why COA’s Commitment to Ongoing Training Sets Early Childhood Educators Up for Long-Term Growth

A career in early childhood education is one of the most meaningful paths a person can choose. And like any meaningful career, it grows deeper and more impactful the more you invest in it. At Children of America, professional development is not an afterthought or a compliance checkbox. It is a built-in commitment to every educator on the team, a signal that the work you do matters and that COA is invested in helping you do it better.

Why Does Professional Development Matter in Early Childhood Education?

The early childhood education field is constantly evolving. Research on child development deepens every year. Best practices around social-emotional learning, classroom management, nutrition, and inclusive teaching continue to advance. Teachers who stay connected to that growth are more effective in the classroom, more confident in their roles, and more fulfilled in their careers.

Professional development also plays a direct role in teacher retention. Educators who feel supported, challenged, and invested in are far more likely to stay. And when great teachers stay, children benefit from the continuity of care and the depth of relationship that only comes with time.

For families, a school that prioritizes educator growth is a school that takes quality seriously at every level.

What Are Professional Development Days at COA?

Professional Development Days at Children of America are dedicated, structured learning experiences designed specifically for childcare professionals. Held twice a year, each session provides four hours of engaging, industry-relevant training that supports teachers in growing both personally and professionally in their roles.

These days are intentionally curated to reflect the unique needs of early childhood educators. The topics covered are meaningful, applicable, and directly connected to the day-to-day realities of working with children and families. This is not generic training repurposed from another field. It is content built for the people doing this specific work.

By holding these sessions twice a year and dedicating focused time to them, COA makes a clear statement: the growth of our educators is a priority, not an occasional nice-to-have.

What Do Educators Gain from These Training Days?

Professional Development Days are built around the idea that strong teachers are made, not just hired. The training covers topics that strengthen the skills educators use every day and introduces new thinking that can shift how they approach their classroom.

Deeper Knowledge of Child Development

The more an educator understands about how children grow and learn, the more intentional they can be in the classroom. Professional development training deepens teachers’ understanding of developmental stages, behavioral patterns, and the cognitive and social-emotional milestones children are working toward at each age.

Stronger Classroom Skills

From managing transitions to supporting a child through a difficult moment to facilitating group learning, classroom effectiveness is a skill set that can always be sharpened. Training days give educators the opportunity to learn new strategies, revisit core techniques, and bring fresh approaches back to their classrooms.

Connection with Fellow Educators

Professional Development Days also create space for educators to connect with colleagues across the team. Shared learning builds shared language, common practices, and the kind of team cohesion that makes a school feel unified in its approach. When teachers feel connected to each other, that sense of belonging shows up in the classroom.

Personal Confidence and Career Growth

Investing in learning is investing in yourself. Educators who participate in regular professional development feel more confident in their roles, more capable of handling the challenges of the job, and more motivated to grow. Over time, that confidence compounds into a career with real depth and staying power.

What Does a Career at COA Look Like Long Term?

A career at Children of America is built on more than a job description. It is built on the belief that the people who show up for children every day deserve to be shown up for in return.

That means a structured curriculum that makes teaching sustainable. Low student-to-teacher ratios that make meaningful relationships possible. And regular professional development that keeps educators growing, learning, and connected to why they chose this work in the first place.

Educators who join COA are not just filling a role. They are becoming part of a team that takes early childhood education seriously at every level, and investing in a career that has real room to grow.

Are You Ready to Grow Your Career at Children of America?

If you are an early childhood educator looking for a place that invests in your growth as much as the children in your classroom, Children of America may be the right fit.

Visit the Children of America website to learn more about our programs, our culture, and the career opportunities available at a school near you.