2025 AECEA Board Nominations Now Open! LEARN MORE
Professional development should strengthen your skills, deepen your knowledge, and support your role in providing high-quality early learning and child care. This toolkit is designed for all early childhood educators in Alberta, including those working in out-of-school care, family day homes, group family child care, preschools, and daycare settings. No matter your role or setting, this guide will help you assess the credibility of the facilitator, the quality of the training content, and whether the learning is worth your time and money.
Evaluating the Facilitator
Ask these questions before committing to a training:
- Is this facilitator credible and qualified?
- Do they have post-secondary credentials related to early learning and child care (ELCC) or the session topic?
- Are those credentials current and relevant (within the last 10 years)?
- Do they have practical experience applying their knowledge after completing their education?
- Are they connected to the Alberta context?
- Are they Alberta-based, or at least familiar with Alberta’s ELCC system and curriculum framework (e.g., Flight)?
- Have they shown an understanding of issues affecting Alberta’s early childhood educators?
- Do they engage in reflective practice?
- Do they use participant feedback to improve?
- Do they keep up with adult learning theory (andragogy)?
- Have they shared how they stay current with research and trends?
- What is their philosophy or pedagogical approach?
- Does it reflect current early learning theories?
- Is it aligned with frameworks like Flight and inclusive, child-centred practices?
Evaluating the Professional Learning Opportunity
- Is the content relevant and evidence-informed?
- Does it address a current issue or trend in the ELCC field?
- Is it based on evidence or best practices?
- Was it created or adapted specifically for the Alberta context?
- Is the learning experience engaging?
- Does the training use multiple learning styles (discussion, hands-on activities, visuals)?
- Will you walk away with concrete strategies to apply in your practice?
- Is the training inclusive and accessible?
- Is it designed for certified educators working in licensed or regulated settings?
- Are costs clear, or are there hidden fees like travel, lodging, or materials?
Looking at System Supports
Ask the provider if they have received Government of Alberta approval for the following funding options:
- Release time funding
- Professional development (PD) funding
If they are unsure, reach out to the Alberta Child Care Grant Funding Program to see if it qualifies.
What to Watch for
Not all PD is high quality. Keep in mind the following points to watch for:
- The facilitator has outdated or no credentials.
- The session is mostly lecture-based with little interaction.
- Content is generic or not relevant to early learning in Alberta.
- Costs are unclear or include unrelated fees.
- No mention of reflection, feedback, or adaptation.
Is This a Good Fit for You?
Use this self-reflection checklist before registering:
| Question | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Does this support my current role or career goals? | ||
| Will I gain new, applicable skills or knowledge? | ||
| Do I feel confident in the facilitator's credibility? |
What to Do Next
After reviewing this toolkit, you can do the following before registering for your training:
- Reach out to your network for feedback on a session or facilitator.
- Ask the provider directly for their credentials, philosophy, and evaluation methods.
- For example, if they are instructing a workshop/session related to Flight: Alberta’s Early Learning and Care Curriculum Framework, do they have a certificate of completion for at least 1 of the following:
- Exploring Early Childhood Curriculum course provided by MacEwan University
- ARCQE’s Possibilities for Practice series
- ARCQE’s Supporting Curriculum Practice series
- For example, if they are instructing a workshop/session related to Flight: Alberta’s Early Learning and Care Curriculum Framework, do they have a certificate of completion for at least 1 of the following:
- Choose PD that helps you grow as a respected, well-prepared early childhood professional.
AECEA maintains a regularly updated Events Calendar and PD Opportunities page, where you can find high-quality sessions offered by trusted facilitators.