Denver's Early Childhood Council

Hablemos de Sexo y Sexualidad (Serie Destacada DPP) - EN PERSONA
2025-04-26 09:00 - 15:45 (America/Denver) | Goddard Highlands, 3914 King St, Denver, CO, 80211, United States
Esta capacitación será en persona
*Desayuno ligero, almuerzo, y refrigerios se proporcionarán a los/las participantes*
En esta capacitacion en persona, aprenderás a cómo hablar de sexo y sexualidad con los niños y niñas a tu cargo. También explorarás maneras de comunicarte con los padres y madres de familia. La serie se divide en tres partes: a) cómo entiendes y percibes los temas de sexo y sexualidad de manera personal, b) cómo adaptar pláticas de sexo y sexualidad para niños y niñas de no más de 5 años, y c) cómo hablar del tema con los padres y las madres de familia.
Los/las participantes podran ser elegibles para aplicar a los Premios al Logro DPP, con un total de $325
Regístrese Aquí

Classroom Management in ECE
2025-04-24 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual
Managing a classroom does not just involve decorating a classroom, but creating an inclusive learning environment. Many educators struggle with designing a classroom because they need to develop the skill of understanding the impact of diverse learners. Not all students will thrive in the same learning environment, which means educators will need to provide classroom adaptations to better serve all of their students. Participants will leave this workshop with a blueprint of how to better design a learning environment for all students.
Register Here

Spring Social - A Change in Plans
2025-04-24
We are pressing ‘pause’ on our Spring Social.
Why Now?
Classrooms are facing unprecedented challenges, and we are mobilizing resources to provide stability and support where it’s needed most. By shifting our efforts from event planning to direct action, we can better serve early childhood educators and the children in their care.
Our Goal: $45,000 in Three Months
With your generosity, we can provide critical resources that strengthen early childhood education in our community. Learn more about our initiatives here.
Make a Difference Today
Donate in lieu of attending a celebration—your contribution directly supports educators and ensures local stability in uncertain times.
Donate here
🔹Suggested donations: $25 | $50 | $100 | $250 – one time, monthly, or yearly recurring🔹
Together, we can make a lasting impact. Thank you for standing with us in support of early childhood educators.
All donations are eligible for the Colorado child care contribution tax credit.

Managing Challenging Behaviors Through a Power Lens
2025-04-23 18:30 - 20:30 | Virtual
This session provides an introduction to the concept of power and its role in every relationship we engage in, particularly in the context of early childhood education. Once these foundational concepts are established, we will explore challenging behaviors in children through the lens of power dynamics. Children often express their needs and emotions through their behavior, and one fundamental need is the desire for autonomy and the ability to assert their personal power. By understanding these dynamics, educators can develop more effective strategies to support children in expressing themselves appropriately while fostering a sense of agency and self-esteem.
Register Here

Spanish for ECE: Steps to Incorporate Spanish into your English Classroom (DPP Featured Series)
2025-04-23 18:30 - 20:30 | Virtual
This is a free 3-part series:

Session 1: Wednesday April 23 from 6:30-8:30pm
Session 2: Wednesday April 30 from 6:30-8:30pm
Session 3: Wednesday May 7 from 6:30-8:30pm

How do you begin to teach a language you don’t speak? How can you make sure that your young students do not “miss out” on early learning opportunities? And once you are able to understand how to go about it, how can you make your lessons engaging, interactive, & fun yet meaningful? Denise Leitch of Lingua Garden will discuss the benefits of language learning at an early age and demonstrate how you can add foreign language to your curriculum. With more than a decade of experience as an early childhood teacher, and language business owner, she will share with you easy ways to add language learning into your daily routine.

Attendees might be eligible to apply for the DPP Teacher Achievement Awards totaling $325

RegISTER HERE

Managing Challenging Employees
2025-04-23 10:30 - 12:00 | Virtual
Challenging and toxic behavior from staff have a negative impact on all parts of an early childhood organization, from interactions with children, families, and co-workers, to other aspects of the organization’s business. Early childhood programs are already faced with challenges in an industry that has critical financial and workforce issues. Add cultural toxicity to the mix, and it can negatively impact otherwise quality programming for children and families. It is essential for administrators to deal with any internal challenges that staff may present, know how to apply strategies to rehabilitate noxious behavior from staff, and know how and when to appropriately sever ties when there is failure in cooperation.
REGISTER HERE

Mentes en Crecimiento: Serie de Primavera para Profesionales de la Primera Infancia (Serie Destacada DPP)
2025-04-16 18:00 - 21:00 | Virtual
Esta es una serie virtual de 3 partes:

Sesión 1: Miércoles 16 de Abril de 6:00-9:00pm
Sesión 2: Miércoles 23 de Abril de 6:00-9:00pm
Sesión 3: Miércoles 30 de Abril de 6:00-9:00pm

Únete a nosotros esta primavera para la serie “Mentes en Crecimiento”, diseñada específicamente para profesionales de la primera infancia comprometidas/os con el bienestar de los niños pequeños. Basada en la Ciencia de la Esperanza, esta serie explorará cómo cultivar la resiliencia, la autocompasión y la mentalidad de crecimiento tanto en educadores como en niños. Cada sesión ofrecerá estrategias prácticas para fomentar la salud emocional y física, poniendo énfasis en el poder transformador de la gratitud, la esperanza y la admiración. Unámonos para crear ambientes compasivos, esperanzadores y equilibrados donde cada niño pueda prosperar.
Los/las participantes podran ser elegibles para aplicar a los Premios al Logro DPP, con un total de $325
Regístrese Aquí

Performance Management - Part 3
2025-04-16 10:30 - 12:00 | Virtual
Part 3 of 3 in this series on performance management will explore performance improvement plans, difficult conversations, staff development, “stay” conversations, off-boarding, and termination.
RegISTER HERE

Social Emotional - Behavior is Communication
2025-04-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual
The workshop provides practical strategies for interpreting and responding to behaviors, helping children manage and express their emotions in healthy ways. Through role-play scenarios and real-life examples, participants learn how to guide young children through emotional experiences in ways that promote emotional intelligence, secure attachment, and a strong foundation for social and emotional growth.
RegISTER HERE

Denver CCAP Collaborative
2025-04-10 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Formerly called the Denver Child Care Task Force, the Denver CCAP Collaborative was founded to give Denver child care providers a voice in the community and an opportunity to meet and connect with Denver Human Services Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) staff.
The Collaborative discusses policy and funding issues that affect large and small child care programs in the Denver metro area. The group meets regularly and includes participants from child care centers, community funders, and representatives from Denver Human Services.
Topics at CCAP Collaborative meetings can include, but are not limited to:
CCAP Program and Policy Changes
Community Funding Updates
Discussion of Welfare Reform Board Agenda
TANF updates
REGISTER HERE

Performance Management - Part 2
2025-04-08 10:30 - 12:00 | Virtual
Part 2 of the 3-part series on performance management will cover various aspects of staff performance and elements to include, types of performance instruments, goal setting, quality feedback, and linking performance to remuneration in an equitable manner.
RegISTER HERE

Denver Director Equity and Advocacy Professional Learning Community
2025-04-03 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-03-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Meet with other directors, teachers, and staff from our team in a monthly informal setting to discuss the current needs in the field. Be an advocate for your program while helping others by simply speaking up about what’s working, what isn’t, and what’s needed.
This is a Director’s PLC and can be used as credit toward the Director DPP Achievement Award.
Questions? Contact Dora Esparza at dora@denverearlychildhood.org.
REGISTER HERE

Conciencia de la Salud Mental en la Primera Infancia
2025-04-02 18:30 - 20:30 | Virtual
La salud mental ha sido de suma importancia en la educación de la primera infancia, especialmente porque el aprendizaje en persona nos unió a todos después de la pandemia. Los niños pequeños no son una excepción a la hora de sentir la agitación emocional y mental del aislamiento, el distanciamiento social y una dinámica de vida familiar cambiada. Entonces, te preguntarás ¿cuál es tu rol como docente? Puedes ser un verdadero faro… inspirando, empoderando y motivando a las mentes jóvenes. En otras palabras, ustedes son la primera línea de defensa como maestros. Este entrenamiento ofrecerá algunos consejos y orientación para identificar las posibles señales de problemas de salud mental en niños pequeños para ayudarlos a navegar una de las tendencias actuales más complicadas en la educación de la primera infancia.
Register Here

CHIME: Cultivating Healthy Intentional Mindful Educators (DPP Featured Series)
2025-04-02 18:30 - 20:30 | Virtual
This is a free 8-part series:

Session 1: Wednesday April 2 from 6:30-8:30pm
Session 2: Wednesday April 9 from 6:30-8:00pm
Session 3: Wednesday April 16 from 6:30-8:00pm
Session 4: Wednesday April 23 from 6:30-8:00pm
Session 5: Wednesday April 30 from 6:30-8:00pm
Session 6: Wednesday May 7 from 6:30-8:00pm
Session 7: Wednesday May 14 from 6:30-8:00pm
Session 8: Wednesday May 21 from 6:30-8:00pm

Join the Early Learning Department of the Denver Public Library in a journey towards mindfulness. Over the course of eight weeks, we will provide education and guidance on how to incorporate mindfulness and reflective practice into your daily routine, teaching and caregiving. Engaging in mindfulness and reflective practice has many benefits for health and wellbeing, including reduced stress, improved emotion management, increased focus and attention and enhanced relationships. Each week, we’ll explore a different aspect of mindfulness and provide fun, engaging activities that you can incorporate into your classroom the next day.

Attendees might be eligible to apply for the DPP Teacher Achievement Awards totaling $325

RegISTER HERE

Performance Management - Part 1
2025-04-02 10:30 - 12:00 | Virtual
Part 1 of 3 in this series on performance management will highlight its importance for child care and preschools, showing how it supports business success, stability, and quality. It covers recruitment, onboarding, 1-on-1 meetings, and an introduction to quality staff performance.
RegISTER HERE

Creative Expressions: Teaching Art in Early Childhood
2025-04-01 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
This is a 4-part series:

Session 1: Tuesday April 1 from 6:00-7:00pm
Session 2: Thursday April 3 from 6:00-7:00pm
Session 3: Tuesday April 8 from 6:00-7:00pm
Session 4: Thursday April 10 from 6:00-7:00pm

This series is designed to inspire and engage young learners through the world of art, offering ECE educators practical approaches to fostering creativity in children from infancy to preschool. Emphasizing the experience of art over the final product, this series highlights art as a journey of exploration, process, and self-expression. The first workshop, “Art is Different Than Crafts,” focuses on the value of creative experiences, where children are encouraged to experiment and express themselves through open-ended art activities. “Art in Nature” invites children to use natural materials like leaves and stones for self-expression, fostering creativity, observation skills, and a deep connection to nature. The series also offers strategies to engage preschoolers in art experiences that promote self-expression, experimentation, and fine motor development through activities like painting, drawing, and sculpting. Finally, “Art for Infants” introduces sensory-rich experiences that encourage tactile exploration, color recognition, texture exploration, and basic fine motor development, building a love for creativity from the start.

RegISTER HERE

RMHS Programs and Working with Providers
2025-03-27 13:30 - 14:00 | Virtual
We will review the early childhood programs at Rocky Mountain Human Services including Early Intervention, Denver Early Steps, and Developmental Monitoring. We will discuss how screenings are used at RMHS to identify developmental delays and social emotional-challenges and how classrooms can partner with us to sign up for screening events. Teachers will have the chance to learn more about push-in, pull-out and hybrid methods of intervention and their benefits and drawbacks will be explored. Finally, we will consider the importance of teacher-provider collaboration for carry-over of learned skills into the classroom and beyond.

RegISTER HERE

عقول مزدهرة: سلسلة النمو الربيعي لمتخصصي الطفولة المبكرة (سلسلة مميزة من DPP)
2025-03-26 18:00 - 21:00 | Virtual
سيتم تقديم هذا التدريب باللغة الإنجليزية مع الترجمة الفورية إلى العربية.
الجلسة 1: الأربعاء 26 مارس من الساعة 6:00 مساءً حتى 9:00 مساءً
الجلسة 2: الأربعاء 2 أبريل من الساعة 6:00 مساءً حتى 9:00 مساءً
الجلسة 3: الأربعاء 9 أبريل من الساعة 6:00 مساءً حتى 9:00 مساءً
انضموا إلينا هذا الربيع في “سلسلة العقول المزدهرة”، المصممة خصيصًا لمتخصصي الطفولة المبكرة الملتزمين برعاية رفاهية الأطفال الصغار. تعتمد هذه السلسلة على “علم الأمل”، وستستكشف كيفية تعزيز المرونة، والتعاطف مع الذات، وعقلية النمو لدى المعلمين والأطفال على حد سواء. تقدم كل جلسة استراتيجيات عملية لتعزيز الصحة العاطفية والجسدية، مع التركيز على القوة التحويلية للامتنان والأمل والدهشة. دعونا نلتقي معًا لإنشاء بيئات مليئة بالتعاطف والأمل والتوازن حيث يمكن لكل طفل أن يزدهر.
قد يكون الحاضرون مؤهلين للتقديم على جوائز إنجاز المعلمين في دبل التي تبلغ قيمتها 325 دولارًا.

سجل هنا

Blossoming Minds: Spring Growth Series for Early Childhood Professionals (DPP Featured Series)
2025-03-26 18:00 - 21:00 | Virtual
This training will be in English, with Arabic interpretation

Session 1: Wednesday March 26 from 6:00-9:00pm
Session 2: Wednesday April 2 from 6:00-9:00pm
Session 3: Wednesday April 9 from 6:00-9:00pm

Join us this Spring for the “Blossoming Minds Series”, designed specifically for early childhood professionals dedicated to nurturing the well-being of young children. Rooted in the Science of Hope, this series will explore how to cultivate resilience, self-compassion, and growth mindset in both educators and children. Each session offers practical strategies to foster emotional and physical health, emphasizing the transformative power of gratitude, hope, and awe. Let’s come together to create compassionate, hopeful, and balanced environments where every child can thrive.
Attendees might be eligible to apply for the DPP Teacher Achievement Awards totaling $325
RegISTER HERE

Cinco Pasos para un Comportamiento Positivo en la Educación de Primera Infancia
2025-03-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Virtual
Esta capacitacion ha sido diseñada para proveer a los/las educadores de la primera infancia con estrategias prácticas para fomentar un entorno de aprendizaje de apoyo y productivo. Esta sesión interactiva explorará técnicas efectivas para promover un comportamiento positivo, incluyendo la gestión proactiva del aula, el refuerzo consistente y el apoyo individualizado. Los/las participantes aprenderán a implementar estos cinco pasos esenciales para mejorar la participación estudiantil, reducir las interrupciones y construir una comunidad en el aula que fomente el crecimiento y el desarrollo. Ideal para educadores de la primera infancia que buscan perfeccionar su enfoque y crear una atmósfera de aprendizaje más armoniosa.
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Power in the Field of Early Childhood Education - For Administrators
2025-03-13 17:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
Directors and administrators play a critical role in fostering a supportive and effective environment for teachers and staff within their centers. This responsibility requires thoughtful leadership and strategic guidance. In this session, participants will be introduced to the concept of role power and its impact on creating a positive organizational culture. Emphasis will be placed on how to use power thoughtfully and effectively to promote a culture of constructive feedback. Through a combination of small and large group discussions, participants will gain valuable insights and leave with a clear, actionable goals to implement in their centers, enhancing both staff support and overall center dynamics.
RegISTER HERE

Mental Health Awareness in ECE
2025-03-12 18:30 - 20:30 | Virtual
Mental health has been paramount in early childhood education, especially as in-person learning brought us all together after the pandemic. Young children are no exception when it comes to feeling the emotional and mental turmoil of isolation, social distancing, and changed family life dynamics. This training will offer some tips and guidance for identifying potential signs of mental health problems in young children.

Register Here

Policy Pathways: A Conversation with Legislators
2025-03-07 14:45 - 17:15 | Denver Marriott Tech Center, 4900 South Syracuse Street, Denver, 80237, United States
Policy Pathways: A Conversation with Legislators is a special add-on to the 2025 Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Conference (RMECC)*. This engaging session is designed to foster meaningful connections between legislators and early learning professionals and advocates. Through these conversations, we aim to create a collaborative space to inform and inspire policy solutions that support the needs of children, families, and ECE professionals across Colorado.
*You do not have to be registered for RMECC to attend.

If you are registered for RMECC, please RSVP through the attendee hub.
If you are NOT registered/attending RMECC, you can RSVP by clicking the button below.

RSVP HERE
This special event is hosted by Denver’s Early Childhood Council, Early Childhood Colorado Leadership Alliance (ECCLA), Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children (COAEYC), and Aponte & Busam Public Affairs.

ECE Back to Basics: Doing What is Right for Kids
2025-03-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual
In this interactive training attendees will identify the what, the why, and the how of interactions in early childhood education. By the end of the three week session, attendees will leave with an elevator speech describing what, why, and how they implement their role in the workforce. The focus of all three sessions is through a lens of advocacy and doing what is BEST for young children and families.
RegISTER HERE

Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Conference
2025-03-06 07:30 - 2025-03-07 17:00 | Denver Marriott Tech Center, 4900 South Syracuse Street, Denver, 80237, United States
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED FOR THE IN PERSON EVENT. You can still register for the virtual version. The Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Conference (RMECC) is the region’s leading professional development conference focused on promoting and advancing the field of early childhood education. This two-day conference delivers more than 100 workshops and presentations, top-notch keynote speakers, and 10 professional development tracks.
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Behavior Intervention in Childcare & Early Learning Strategies
2025-03-05 17:30 - 19:30 | Virtual
Childcare Providers are the first to begin experiencing a child’s milestones and overall growth. One developmental challenge children often face in this setting is a lack of communication skills, which results in children communicating through their body. This workshop is designed to help Childcare Providers understand that behavior is a form of communication while teaching students how to become better communicators. Participants will leave this training with new innovative behavioral strategies to utilize in the classroom setting.
RegISTER HERE

How to talk about Sex and Sexuality in ECE (DPP Featured Series)
2025-03-04 18:30 - 20:30 | Virtual
This is a free 3-part series:

Session 1: Tuesday March 4 from 6:30-8:30pm
Session 2: Thursday March 6 from 6:30-8:30pm
Session 3: Tuesday March 11 from 6:30-8:30pm

In this featured series, you’ll learn how to talk about sex and sexuality with the children in your care. You will also explore ways to communicate with parents. The series is divided into three parts: a) how you understand and perceive the topics of sex and sexuality in a personal way, b) how to adapt talks on sex and sexuality for children under 5 years of age, and c) how to talk about the topic with fathers and mothers.

Attendees might be eligible to apply for the DPP Teacher Achievement Awards totaling $325

RegISTER HERE

Dear Director: 8 Honest Things Your Teachers Wished You Knew About Them (DPP Director Featured Series)
2025-03-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual
This is a 3-part series:

Session 1: March 4 from 6:00-8:00pm
Session 2: March 11 from 6:00-8:00pm
Session 3: March 18 from 6:00-8:00pm

After several years of surveying teachers through focus groups, online chats, and face-to-face conversations, Colleen Schmit has developed 8 common themes that teachers wished their directors and leaders knew. If you are a leader wanting to lead authentically while building your staff to be balanced, happy stakeholders, this series is for you!
Attendees might be eligible to apply for the Director Achievement Awards totaling $325
Register Here

How to Manage the CCAP Freeze
2025-03-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Are you a CCAP provider who is concerned about the CCAP freeze? We are here to help! This training will provide some considerations to retain your CCAP families and ensure continuity of care for the children you serve. We will talk about various aspects of CCAP administration including tracking, access for families, support you can provide, and other aspects for CCAP success. We look forward to seeing you there.
REGISTER HERE
