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Early Childhood Investigations: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Playground
Early Childhood Investigations is your gateway to inspiring, research-based professional development. Since 2009, our free webinar series has brought together authors, researchers, and leaders in early care and education to share timely insights and spark meaningful conversations across the workforce. We believe high-quality professional development should be accessible, practical, and immediately useful. ECI is a movement that empowers directors, administrators, and teachers to elevate their practice and strengthen outcomes for children and families. https://ecewebinars.com/spotify
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- Today1h 25m
AI Search Is Here - The Gold Rush Opportunity for Child Care Centers in 2026 by Bruce Spurr
RESOURCESWatch the full webinar hereJoin our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every weekCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management SoftwareOnly 3 centers will own the leaders in your market—How to make sure you’re one of them Search is being completely rebuilt — and most childcare centers don’t realize it yet. Parents are no longer just clicking ads or scrolling your social posts.They’re:Asking AI tools like ChatGPT where to find childcare nearbyReading AI-generated summaries at the top of GoogleChoosing centers directly from Google MapsAt the same time, buying attention through ads is getting harder, more expensive, and less predictable for local businesses—the cost is out of reach of most child care centers.(Google finally admitted to us that new ad accounts need $100/day media spend to train their AI buying algorithm! That’s absolutely ridiculous for the ECE industry!)In this live training, Bruce Spurr, CEO of Grow Your Center, will break down how AI-powered search is transforming the way parents discover childcare — and why this shift is creating the biggest local visibility opportunity we’ve seen since 2008.History is being made. We’re not just going to talk about AI search, but give you CONTEXT in how the new world of “SEO” fits into your complete marketing stack in 2026…how owners just like you are filling their open classroom spots!In this session, you’ll learn: Why Google Maps has quietly become the most important “search engine” for parentsHow AI summaries are deciding which childcare centers get mentioned (and which get ignored)Your website is not only still relevant, but a critical conversion tool in your marketing stackWhy attention is getting more expensive to buy — including where and how to spend your ad dollars to “multiple” it’s effect What “AI-powered search visibility” actually means for local businessesWhy ranking for a city is not the right play, and how zip codes and neighborhoods now drive enrollment demandWhat it takes to show up when parents search inside AI tools like ChatGPTHow early movers are getting huge gains while others disappear (the gold rush is real!)This training is especially valuable if: You want more predictable enrollmentYou’re tired of wasting $ on adsYou operate in a competitive marketYou have an enrollment gap you need to fillWe’ll also have a Q&A and select 3-5 audience volunteers to review your rankings!
- 1 weeks ago1h 26m
The Science of Play, Part 2: Making It Work — Applying the Recognize–Emphasize–Maximize Framework for Deep Learning Through Play by Amanda Morgan, MS
RESOURCESWatch the full webinar hereJoin our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every weekCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management SoftwareYou’ve explored why play matters—now it’s time to focus on how to make it work. In this practical follow-up to The Science of Play, Amanda Morgan—author of Not Just Cute: How Powerful Play Drives Development in Early Childhood—will dive deeper into the Recognize–Emphasize–Maximize Framework to show how intentional, guided play can support meaningful developmental outcomes without co-opting the play itself.Through relatable play examples and reflection tools, you’ll learn how to align play with your curriculum and objectives, make strategic amendments to support standards, and introduce authentic, play-based assessment methods. Whether you’re teaching in the classroom or leading at the program level, this session will help you bridge the gap between theory and practice—so play can flourish as both joyful and truly rigorous learning.Learning Outcomes: By the end of this session, you will be able to:Apply the Recognize–Emphasize–Maximize Framework to intentionally plan and support powerful play experiences.Align playful learning with developmental outcomes and curriculum goals without diminishing children’s agency or joy.Identify opportunities to adapt or “amend” curriculum and objectives to better reflect how children actually learn through play.Implement authentic assessment practices that capture meaningful growth within play-based contexts.Strengthen your ability to articulate and defend the educational value of play to colleagues, families, and decision-makers.
- 1 weeks ago1h 23m
From Idea to Launch: Starting Your Early Childhood Business the Right Way by Chelsea Denny
RESOURCESWatch the full webinar hereJoin our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every weekCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management SoftwareAre you considering starting an early childhood business? Let's learn how to take your small business from the idea phase to launch. In this session presented by business consultant, website designer, and trainer, Chelsea Denny from Early Childhood Creative, you’ll learn the steps required to set up your for-profit business and make it official. Topics covered include business entities, insurance, financials, marketing, and more. You'll leave this session with a better understanding of what is required to form your for-profit business legally and how to protect yourself from liability. You'll also understand what is considered best practice in operating a new business and what the most common mistakes are. The content covered will be most applicable to for-profit, service-based businesses operating in the United States, including childcare, private schools, coaches, consultants, and trainers. If operating outside of the United States, there may be different names and terminology, but the general information will still apply. If operating a non-profit, the general best practices will still apply. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 1. Participants will be able to outline the process required to start a legal business in the United States. 2. Participants will be able to discuss common terminology related to starting a business. 3. Participants will be able to identify three components to consider when developing a business plan. 4. Participants will be able to name and describe the legal structures of for-profit businesses and how they generally relate to taxes, liability, and strategic planning. All content shared is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.
- 2 weeks ago1h 22m
Leadership and Play: It’s Serious Business by Kimberlee Burt Hendricks
RESOURCESWatch the full webinar hereJoin our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every weekCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management SoftwareLeadership isn’t positional—it’s relational. Whether you’re a president, owner, principal, director, teacher, counselor, parent, or the person responsible for making sure lunch arrives on time—if you work with people, and especially with children, you lead. Leadership is not defined by a title; it’s expressed through presence, listening, and creating space for others to thrive.In this session, Kimberlee Burt Hendricks, The Play and Learn Leader at A Child’s Space 2, will guide participants through an exploration of how play is not just for children, it’s a vital practice that nurtures creativity, connection, and emotional well-being for adults as well. Through stories, research, and reflective experiences, Kimberlee will illuminate how neuroscience and well-established leadership models reveal that play is not a distraction from leadership, but a catalyst for it.As early learning environments continue to evolve, embracing play, both personally and professionally, has never been more important. Participants will engage in reflective discussions and playful moments that highlight how curiosity, imagination, and laughter strengthen leadership at every level.Because when we understand the power of play, we lead and live with greater joy, empathy, and purpose.Learning ObjectivesAfter this session, participants will be able to:Explain how neuroscience supports the role of play in fostering creativity, focus, and well-being for both children and adults.Identify leadership models—including servant, whole, transformational, and psychological safety frameworks—that align with playful, human-centered practice.Reflect on strategies for integrating play into everyday professional interactions to enhance connection and trust.
- 3 weeks ago1h 23m
Self-Regulation In Early Childhood Classrooms: Improving Teacher Practice While Supporting Engagement and Achievement by Carrie Comer-Yates
RESOURCESWatch the full webinar hereJoin our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every weekCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management SoftwareWhat if strengthening self-regulation could transform not only children’s behavior—but your entire classroom experience?In this research-informed session led by Dr. Carrie Comer-Yates, you’ll explore how young children’s self-regulation skills directly influence teacher practice, classroom expectations, and student success. Dr. Comer-Yates is deeply committed to helping educators build foundational skills in social-emotional development, differentiate classroom supports, and care for their own social-emotional well-being alongside their students’.Drawing from a comprehensive study of early childhood classrooms, this webinar examines the shared responsibilities between children and educators, the role of the learning environment, and the levels of support needed for children to thrive. You’ll gain practical, actionable strategies grounded in real classroom data—highlighting the critical roles of professional development, family engagement, and intentional instructional practices.The session also explores how factors such as culture shape self-regulation and influence classroom expectations. By strengthening your understanding of self-regulation, you’ll be better equipped to foster positive social, emotional, and academic growth—creating more responsive, supportive, and successful learning environments, even within complex early childhood systems.Learning ObjectivesBy the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:Identify how children’s self-regulation skills impact teacher practice and classroom dynamicsExamine the shared responsibilities between educators, students, and the learning environment in supporting self-regulationDescribe effective instructional strategies that strengthen self-regulation in early childhood settingsRecognize the influence of culture and other contextual factors on self-regulation and classroom expectationsApply research-based approaches that support positive social, emotional, and academic outcomes for young children
- 3 weeks ago1h 25m
The Joyous Equation: Purpose + People + Prosperity = Vibrant Early Childhood Organizations by Karen Foster-Jorgensen
RESOURCESWatch the full webinar hereJoin our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every weekCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management SoftwareWhat if joy wasn’t a byproduct of good leadership—but the very foundation of it?This inspiring and practical webinar invites early childhood leaders to explore what it truly means to lead with joy and purpose. Led by global consultant and innovation champion Karen Foster-Jorgensen, participants will discover how to apply the Joyous Organization Framework and the Joyous Leadership Collabratory™ to strengthen both the heart and health of their organizations—blending purpose, prosperity, positive mindset, and people-centered leadership for lasting impact.Learning Objectives:Discover the principles of the Joyous Organization Framework and identify how joy fuels engagement, innovation, and long-term success.Explore the Joyous Equation as a model for balancing purpose, people, and prosperity within early childhood organizations.Reflect on leadership mindsets through the lens of invitational leadership and joyful practice.Design actionable next steps to strengthen both the joy and sustainability of your organization.Connect with peers through the Joyous Leadership Collabratory™ model—building community, reflection, and shared growth.
- May 1, 20261h 26m
Developing 21st-Century Skills in Early Childhood through STEAM Learning Centers by Tiffany Berman, M.Ed
RESOURCESWatch the full webinar hereJoin our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every weekCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management SoftwareWhat if the everyday “problems” you see in your classroom could become the spark for deeper learning?When a block tower tumbles down or paint drips across a page, children are already engaging in problem-solving, experimenting, and exploring big ideas. This webinar will show you how to transform those ordinary moments into extraordinary opportunities through problem-based STEAM learning.Together, we’ll explore how to design hands-on, developmentally appropriate centers that invite children to question, investigate, and solve challenges in creative ways. You’ll see how science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math can come alive through playful exploration that nurtures curiosity and builds essential 21st-century skills.In this approachable STEAM session, hosted by Tiffany Berman, M.Ed we’ll walk through the process step by step—from observing children to uncover the problems they’re naturally drawn to, to choosing the right materials, to guiding child-led investigations that empower independent learning.Learning Objectives:Discover how to use an observation and discussion tool to identify children’s curiosities and classroom challenges that can spark STEAM investigations.Create a plan for a developmentally appropriate, problem-based STEAM learning center that fosters exploration and discovery.Explore practical strategies for facilitating child-led investigations that encourage independence, creativity, and joyful learning through play.
- Apr 30, 20261h 27m
Reimagining Early Childhood Education to Embrace Nature-Based Learning by Dr. Rachel Larimore
RESOURCESWatch the full webinar hereJoin our newsletter! Earn your Professional Development hours with FREE sessions delivered right to your inbox every weekCheck out the producer of ECI, Playground, the Child Care Management SoftwareEarly education program leaders around the world are increasingly enthusiastic about nature-based learning. Many leaders want to jump in wholeheartedly but find shifting the culture of their organization incredibly challenging. This webinar is a pause to say, “Imagine if…” Imagine if nature were another teacher in the classroom, if nature-based learning were core to the program’s culture, and if families were choosing your program because of its nature-rich experiences. In this session, Dr. Larimore will explore different ways to consider a nature-based approach in your teaching—from the structure of the day and the physical environment to planning and teacher-child interactions. She’ll share a wide range of possibilities for imagining—or reimagining—the ways we support young children through nature-based learning.In this action-focused webinar designed for program leaders and administrators, experienced early childhood nature-based program leader and author Dr. Rachel Larimore will share her Trail Map for Leading Change—an approach for inspiring and supporting staff as they move toward nature-based teaching. In previous ECI webinars, she focused on the big picture of the Trail Map for Change and Step 1: preparing yourself as a leader. In this webinar, she’ll focus on Step 5 of the Trail Map: reimagining teaching practices to embrace nature-based pedagogy.Come be inspired by the diverse and innovative ways early childhood programs are integrating nature-based learning into their classrooms.ObjectivesParticipants will be able to:Describe the core components of nature-based pedagogy.Identify at least two ways to reimagine daily structure to embrace nature-based pedagogy.Identify at least two ways to reimagine the physical environment to deepen nature-based learning.Describe ways to support teachers in making small shifts toward nature-based teaching.
About Early Childhood Investigations
Early Childhood Investigations is your gateway to inspiring, research-based professional development. Since 2009, our free webinar series has brought together authors, researchers, and leaders in early care and education to share timely insights and spark meaningful conversations across the workforce. We believe high-quality professional development should be accessible, practical, and immediately useful. ECI is a movement that empowers directors, administrators, and teachers to elevate their practice and strengthen outcomes for children and families. https://ecewebinars.com/spotify
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