FCCA workshops cover a wide area of topics, including all Core Competencies, as defined by DEEC.
- Understanding Growth and Development of Children
- Guiding and Interacting with Children and Youth
- Partnering with Families and Communities
- Observation, Assessment & Planning for Individual Need
- Learning Environments & Implementing Curriculum
- Program Planning & Development
- Health, Safety & Nutrition
- Professionalism & Leadership
- Diverse Learners
It is required for the members of the FCCA to register at least 10 days before each workshop, so that we can prep materials and certificates. Door open 1 hour before the workshop begins; attendance is required for certificate.
Workshops are held at First Parish Unitarian, 7 Concord Rd, Billerica.
- Understanding Growth and Development of Children
- Guiding and Interacting with Children and Youth
- Partnering with Families and Communities
- Observation, Assessment & Planning for Individual Need
- Learning Environments & Implementing Curriculum
- Program Planning & Development
- Health, Safety & Nutrition
- Professionalism & Leadership
- Diverse Learners
It is required for the members of the FCCA to register at least 10 days before each workshop, so that we can prep materials and certificates. Door open 1 hour before the workshop begins; attendance is required for certificate.
Workshops are held at First Parish Unitarian, 7 Concord Rd, Billerica.
For information & sign up for members only functions visit: Special Events.
2019-20 Workshop Schedule
Thursday, September 12, 630-830pm
What's in Your Toolkit?
By: Janet Moro, Little Sprouts
You have your day planned out and you are excited for the children to arrive. Nothing seems to go as you planned, the children were not engaged in your activities. What do you do? You have to have a back up plan. Join us as we talk about what your backup plan could look like? Are you quick on your feet? Do you plan for the unexpected? We will show you some things that you can put I your own bag of tricks so that your children are excited and engaged.
Janet Moro has been in the field of early education (and school age) for over 32 years. Her experience has been as a teacher, Director, Coach and Leader. She has a passion for developing educators to reach their fullest potential. Filled educators can be at their best for children. Janet holds a BS in Human Services from Springfield College and is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Training and Development.
Core #5
Training Hours: 2
Location: First Parish Unitarian, 7 Concord Rd, Billerica
Cost: included with membership, $25 COA for non-members
Thursday, October 10, 630-800pm
Chat Night 2.0! Chat night has been revamped to include professional level guided conversations that are engaging, reflective, and fun! Members and non-members are invited to participate in 1.5 PD hours followed by a networking social event. Light refreshments will be served.
Why Engaging Families is Important for Child Success
By: Robin Brooks
When we begin our interactions with positive attitudes, we tend to see families in a more positive light, giving us a strong foundation to build our partnership. When we communicate regularly and effectively with families and conscientiously discussing observations of their child/ren development and developmental delays (special needs) require a collaborative plan that involves the families in your FCC programming. Adopting a positive attitude does not mean avoiding challenges and only talking about positive observations and ideas. Instead it is adopting a frame of mind that begins with a family’s strengths. We begin with strength-based attitudes to express our belief that all families can make progress and that we are ready to strive for better outcomes for their child/ren. Successful relationships focus on families’ strengths and a shared commitment to the child’s well-being and success. As relationships between the FCC Educator and families are strengthened, mutually respectful partnerships are built. Strong partnerships with families contribute to positive and lasting change for families and children, as well child success. In our open dialogue we will talk about what you can do to engage families in their child/rens daily progress. Here are a few things we will be discussing, but not limited to.
Why Do Positive Goal-Oriented Relationships Matter?
- Recognizing What Families, Staff/FCC Educators, and Children Contribute
- Understanding and Appreciating Differences
- Communication- the different types
My name is Robin Brooks and I have been in the Early Childhood field for 35 years. I have my Bachelor’s Degree from Merrimack College. My degree is in Child, Family and Community Studies. I have been supporting Family Child Care Educators for more than 25 years. I currently work full time as a Director for Bethel Child Care Services, Inc. and Providers Resources Inc. (PRI) supporting FCC Coordinators/home visitors in all of our regional offices. One of my passions is providing professional development trainings to programs that support their FCC Educators.
Core #3, 6, diverse learners
Training Hours: 1.5
Location: Lowell Elks Lodge, 40 Old Ferry Rd, Lowell
Cost: included with membership, $25 COA for non-members
Thursday, November 14, 630-830pm
Play Based Learning in Multi-Aged Child Care Settings
By: Peter Gray
In this presentation I will (a) present research documenting the long-term value of play and the long-term harm of early academic training in early childhood centers; (b) describe, with examples, how play promotes children’s physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and moral development; and (c) describe the special value of age mixed play, both for the younger and the older children involved, and especially for children with special needs.
Peter Gray is a research professor of psychology at Boston College who has conducted and published research in neuroendocrinology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and education. He is author of an internationally
acclaimed introductory psychology textbook (Psychology, Worth Publishers, now in its 8 th edition), which views all of psychology from an evolutionary perspective. His recent research focuses on the role of play in human evolution and how children educate themselves, through play and exploration, when they are free to do so. He has expanded on these ideas in his book, Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life (Basic Books). He also authors a regular blog called Freedom to Learn, for Psychology Today magazine. He is a founding member and president of the nonprofit Alliance for Self-Directed Education (ASDE), which is aimed at creating a world in which children’s natural ways of learning are facilitated rather than suppressed. He is also a founding board director of the nonprofit Let Grow, the mission of which is to renew children’s freedom to play and explore outdoors, independently of adults. He earned his undergraduate degree at Columbia College and Ph.D. in biological sciences at the Rockefeller University many years ago. His own current play includes kayaking, long-distance bicycling, backwoods skiing, and vegetable gardening.
Core #2, diverse learners
Training Hours: 2
Location: First Parish Unitarian, 7 Concord Rd, Billerica
Cost: included with membership, $25 COA for non-members
Thursday, January 9, 630-830pm
Is the customer always right?
By: Heather Bernt-Santy **Live Via Webinar**
Child care providers often report feeling pressured to tailor their curriculum or philosophy to parent demands, but is it really necessary? We'll talk through the issue and possible solutions.
** FCCA will be collecting questions related to this topic at registration. If you have a specific question or situation you would like discussed, please submit it when you sign up. **
Heather Bernt-Santy has worked in the field of early care and education for 30 years in a variety of roles, including family child care provider, classroom teacher, center director and adult educator. She has published articles in Child Care Information Exchange and in 2015 was named a Promising Emerging Leader by that publication. She hosts a weekly podcast called That Early Childhood Nerd.
Core #1, 5, 7
Training hours: 2
Location: First Parish Unitarian, 7 Concord Rd, Billerica
Cost: included with membership, $25 COA for non-members
Thursday, February 13, 630-830pm
Staying Safe and Healthy as a Childcare Worker
By: David Wahl
All jobs carry risks--whether you are working with traditional cherubs or developmentally and behaviorally challenged cherubs, we will identify and discuss the 3 most common causes for childcare workers to miss work.We will cover:Diligently Preventing Illness, Mindfully Preventing Accidents, and Compassionately Preventing Stress and Burnout.
Dr. David Wahl: Doc has been an instructor with CPR Professionals since 2007. He has been a Doctor of Chiropractic for 21 years. He has 16 years private practice experience and 2 years as a college level instructor, program manager and Director of Education.
Core #4, 7
Training Hours: 2
Location: First Parish Unitarian, 7 Concord Rd, Billerica
Cost: included with membership, $25 COA for non-members
Thursday, March 12, 630-830pm
Music, Books and Beyond…Promoting Early Language Development Thursday March 12, 630-830pm
Presented By: Anne Sullivan Center
This workshop looks at promoting language development in young children (birth to 5) through our daily
care and interactions as well as through our curriculum. We will explore ways to expand the use of
books, music and play to support language and communication. Presenters will share their favorite
activities while encouraging hands-on participation and an exchange of ideas from participants.
The presenters from Anne Sullivan will be Carol Ann Dery, MS, CCC-SLP,CEIS, Speech Therapist and Laurie Blair, MS, CEIS, Developmental Specialist.
Core #3, 5, diverse learners
Training Hours: 2
Location: First Parish Unitarian, 7 Concord Rd, Billerica
Cost: included with membership, $25 COA for non-members
Wednesday, March 25, 6-7pm*
Creating Art based on Children’s Literature
By: Colleen Sgoi
What would you do if you were the moon and could watch every season from the sky? Mindful Moon, written by Ann Biese, takes us on a journey of living in the present moment through all the seasons of the year. We will discuss how to create art based on children’s literature.
Our discussion will be followed by a paint night, recreating a beautiful scene from the children’s book, Mindful Moon. Light refreshments, beverages, and wine will be served. Participants are welcome to bring their own beverages, as well.
Core #5
Training Hours: 1
Location: Colleen Sgroi Gallery & Art Classes, 12 Andover Road, Billerica
Cost: $25 for members, this is a members only event
Registration limited to 20 participants and includes Paint Night 7-9PM
Light refreshments will be served
Thursday, April 9, 630-830pm
All Kinds of Families – Supporting LGBTQ Children and Families through Story, Art and Conversation
By: Suzanne Wildman
Broaden your understanding of basic terms, concepts, and issues relevant to LGBTQ children and families. Learn how to integrate positive, non-threatening LGBTQ topics into your program. Explore concrete strategies, including storybooks and art activities, to support LGBTQ children and families
Suzanne Wildman grew up in Australia. She completed an MA in psychology and early childhood education at Macquarie University in Sydney. After college she worked as an early childhood teacher and was the founding director of an early childhood center. She moved to the USA with her husband in 1987. Since completing a MA at Wheelock College, she has been a professional development facilitator in the Boston area. For 20 years she has been researching and designing workshops for early childhood educators, family day care providers and afterschool professionals.
Core #3
Training Hours: 2
Location: First Parish Unitarian, 7 Concord Rd, Billerica
Cost: included with membership, $25 COA for non-members
Thursday, May 14, 630-830pm
The Six Life Skills Children Need to be Successful in School and Life
By: Susan MacDonald
We will explore how strengthening essential social-emotional skills helps children manage their own behaviors in positive ways. During this highly interactive workshop we will examine the six life skills children need to be successful: attachment, belonging, self-regulation, collaboration, contribution, and adaptability (based on the book Beyond Behavior Management: The Six Life Skills Children Need by Jenna Bilmes). You will leave with new a perspective on challenging behaviors and useful strategies to support a positive emotional climate for children to thrive in.
Susan MacDonald is the founder of Inspiring New Perspectives, a consulting group focused on empowering school leaders and educators to create learning environments that deeply respect and nurture the possibilities that lie within each teacher, child, and parent. Susan's passion and expertise for creating positive change are reflected in her professional speaking and coaching, and in her recent award-winning book, Inspiring Early Childhood Leadership: Eight Strategies to Ignite Passion and Transform Program Quality.
Core #1, 2
Training Hours: 2
Location: First Parish Unitarian, 7 Concord Rd, Billerica
Cost: included with membership, $25 COA for non-members
Thursday, September 12, 630-830pm
What's in Your Toolkit?
By: Janet Moro, Little Sprouts
You have your day planned out and you are excited for the children to arrive. Nothing seems to go as you planned, the children were not engaged in your activities. What do you do? You have to have a back up plan. Join us as we talk about what your backup plan could look like? Are you quick on your feet? Do you plan for the unexpected? We will show you some things that you can put I your own bag of tricks so that your children are excited and engaged.
Janet Moro has been in the field of early education (and school age) for over 32 years. Her experience has been as a teacher, Director, Coach and Leader. She has a passion for developing educators to reach their fullest potential. Filled educators can be at their best for children. Janet holds a BS in Human Services from Springfield College and is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Training and Development.
Core #5
Training Hours: 2
Location: First Parish Unitarian, 7 Concord Rd, Billerica
Cost: included with membership, $25 COA for non-members
Thursday, October 10, 630-800pm
Chat Night 2.0! Chat night has been revamped to include professional level guided conversations that are engaging, reflective, and fun! Members and non-members are invited to participate in 1.5 PD hours followed by a networking social event. Light refreshments will be served.
Why Engaging Families is Important for Child Success
By: Robin Brooks
When we begin our interactions with positive attitudes, we tend to see families in a more positive light, giving us a strong foundation to build our partnership. When we communicate regularly and effectively with families and conscientiously discussing observations of their child/ren development and developmental delays (special needs) require a collaborative plan that involves the families in your FCC programming. Adopting a positive attitude does not mean avoiding challenges and only talking about positive observations and ideas. Instead it is adopting a frame of mind that begins with a family’s strengths. We begin with strength-based attitudes to express our belief that all families can make progress and that we are ready to strive for better outcomes for their child/ren. Successful relationships focus on families’ strengths and a shared commitment to the child’s well-being and success. As relationships between the FCC Educator and families are strengthened, mutually respectful partnerships are built. Strong partnerships with families contribute to positive and lasting change for families and children, as well child success. In our open dialogue we will talk about what you can do to engage families in their child/rens daily progress. Here are a few things we will be discussing, but not limited to.
Why Do Positive Goal-Oriented Relationships Matter?
- Recognizing What Families, Staff/FCC Educators, and Children Contribute
- Understanding and Appreciating Differences
- Communication- the different types
My name is Robin Brooks and I have been in the Early Childhood field for 35 years. I have my Bachelor’s Degree from Merrimack College. My degree is in Child, Family and Community Studies. I have been supporting Family Child Care Educators for more than 25 years. I currently work full time as a Director for Bethel Child Care Services, Inc. and Providers Resources Inc. (PRI) supporting FCC Coordinators/home visitors in all of our regional offices. One of my passions is providing professional development trainings to programs that support their FCC Educators.
Core #3, 6, diverse learners
Training Hours: 1.5
Location: Lowell Elks Lodge, 40 Old Ferry Rd, Lowell
Cost: included with membership, $25 COA for non-members
Thursday, November 14, 630-830pm
Play Based Learning in Multi-Aged Child Care Settings
By: Peter Gray
In this presentation I will (a) present research documenting the long-term value of play and the long-term harm of early academic training in early childhood centers; (b) describe, with examples, how play promotes children’s physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and moral development; and (c) describe the special value of age mixed play, both for the younger and the older children involved, and especially for children with special needs.
Peter Gray is a research professor of psychology at Boston College who has conducted and published research in neuroendocrinology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and education. He is author of an internationally
acclaimed introductory psychology textbook (Psychology, Worth Publishers, now in its 8 th edition), which views all of psychology from an evolutionary perspective. His recent research focuses on the role of play in human evolution and how children educate themselves, through play and exploration, when they are free to do so. He has expanded on these ideas in his book, Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life (Basic Books). He also authors a regular blog called Freedom to Learn, for Psychology Today magazine. He is a founding member and president of the nonprofit Alliance for Self-Directed Education (ASDE), which is aimed at creating a world in which children’s natural ways of learning are facilitated rather than suppressed. He is also a founding board director of the nonprofit Let Grow, the mission of which is to renew children’s freedom to play and explore outdoors, independently of adults. He earned his undergraduate degree at Columbia College and Ph.D. in biological sciences at the Rockefeller University many years ago. His own current play includes kayaking, long-distance bicycling, backwoods skiing, and vegetable gardening.
Core #2, diverse learners
Training Hours: 2
Location: First Parish Unitarian, 7 Concord Rd, Billerica
Cost: included with membership, $25 COA for non-members
Thursday, January 9, 630-830pm
Is the customer always right?
By: Heather Bernt-Santy **Live Via Webinar**
Child care providers often report feeling pressured to tailor their curriculum or philosophy to parent demands, but is it really necessary? We'll talk through the issue and possible solutions.
** FCCA will be collecting questions related to this topic at registration. If you have a specific question or situation you would like discussed, please submit it when you sign up. **
Heather Bernt-Santy has worked in the field of early care and education for 30 years in a variety of roles, including family child care provider, classroom teacher, center director and adult educator. She has published articles in Child Care Information Exchange and in 2015 was named a Promising Emerging Leader by that publication. She hosts a weekly podcast called That Early Childhood Nerd.
Core #1, 5, 7
Training hours: 2
Location: First Parish Unitarian, 7 Concord Rd, Billerica
Cost: included with membership, $25 COA for non-members
Thursday, February 13, 630-830pm
Staying Safe and Healthy as a Childcare Worker
By: David Wahl
All jobs carry risks--whether you are working with traditional cherubs or developmentally and behaviorally challenged cherubs, we will identify and discuss the 3 most common causes for childcare workers to miss work.We will cover:Diligently Preventing Illness, Mindfully Preventing Accidents, and Compassionately Preventing Stress and Burnout.
Dr. David Wahl: Doc has been an instructor with CPR Professionals since 2007. He has been a Doctor of Chiropractic for 21 years. He has 16 years private practice experience and 2 years as a college level instructor, program manager and Director of Education.
Core #4, 7
Training Hours: 2
Location: First Parish Unitarian, 7 Concord Rd, Billerica
Cost: included with membership, $25 COA for non-members
Thursday, March 12, 630-830pm
Music, Books and Beyond…Promoting Early Language Development Thursday March 12, 630-830pm
Presented By: Anne Sullivan Center
This workshop looks at promoting language development in young children (birth to 5) through our daily
care and interactions as well as through our curriculum. We will explore ways to expand the use of
books, music and play to support language and communication. Presenters will share their favorite
activities while encouraging hands-on participation and an exchange of ideas from participants.
The presenters from Anne Sullivan will be Carol Ann Dery, MS, CCC-SLP,CEIS, Speech Therapist and Laurie Blair, MS, CEIS, Developmental Specialist.
Core #3, 5, diverse learners
Training Hours: 2
Location: First Parish Unitarian, 7 Concord Rd, Billerica
Cost: included with membership, $25 COA for non-members
Wednesday, March 25, 6-7pm*
Creating Art based on Children’s Literature
By: Colleen Sgoi
What would you do if you were the moon and could watch every season from the sky? Mindful Moon, written by Ann Biese, takes us on a journey of living in the present moment through all the seasons of the year. We will discuss how to create art based on children’s literature.
Our discussion will be followed by a paint night, recreating a beautiful scene from the children’s book, Mindful Moon. Light refreshments, beverages, and wine will be served. Participants are welcome to bring their own beverages, as well.
Core #5
Training Hours: 1
Location: Colleen Sgroi Gallery & Art Classes, 12 Andover Road, Billerica
Cost: $25 for members, this is a members only event
Registration limited to 20 participants and includes Paint Night 7-9PM
Light refreshments will be served
Thursday, April 9, 630-830pm
All Kinds of Families – Supporting LGBTQ Children and Families through Story, Art and Conversation
By: Suzanne Wildman
Broaden your understanding of basic terms, concepts, and issues relevant to LGBTQ children and families. Learn how to integrate positive, non-threatening LGBTQ topics into your program. Explore concrete strategies, including storybooks and art activities, to support LGBTQ children and families
Suzanne Wildman grew up in Australia. She completed an MA in psychology and early childhood education at Macquarie University in Sydney. After college she worked as an early childhood teacher and was the founding director of an early childhood center. She moved to the USA with her husband in 1987. Since completing a MA at Wheelock College, she has been a professional development facilitator in the Boston area. For 20 years she has been researching and designing workshops for early childhood educators, family day care providers and afterschool professionals.
Core #3
Training Hours: 2
Location: First Parish Unitarian, 7 Concord Rd, Billerica
Cost: included with membership, $25 COA for non-members
Thursday, May 14, 630-830pm
The Six Life Skills Children Need to be Successful in School and Life
By: Susan MacDonald
We will explore how strengthening essential social-emotional skills helps children manage their own behaviors in positive ways. During this highly interactive workshop we will examine the six life skills children need to be successful: attachment, belonging, self-regulation, collaboration, contribution, and adaptability (based on the book Beyond Behavior Management: The Six Life Skills Children Need by Jenna Bilmes). You will leave with new a perspective on challenging behaviors and useful strategies to support a positive emotional climate for children to thrive in.
Susan MacDonald is the founder of Inspiring New Perspectives, a consulting group focused on empowering school leaders and educators to create learning environments that deeply respect and nurture the possibilities that lie within each teacher, child, and parent. Susan's passion and expertise for creating positive change are reflected in her professional speaking and coaching, and in her recent award-winning book, Inspiring Early Childhood Leadership: Eight Strategies to Ignite Passion and Transform Program Quality.
Core #1, 2
Training Hours: 2
Location: First Parish Unitarian, 7 Concord Rd, Billerica
Cost: included with membership, $25 COA for non-members
Non-Member Information
All family child care providers are welcome to attend a workshop. The non-member workshop fee is $25 and must be paid before the workshop begins. Email familychildcareassoc@gmail.com to confirm enrollment and schedule a payment. No refunds; please make sure you can attend before signing up. Non-member workshop fees are not applicable towards membership.
Providers that are interested in seeing what the FCCA has to offer may attend for free. Non-members who do not pay for the workshop will not receive a training certificate. Visit the membership page to get more information on membership.
All family child care providers are welcome to attend a workshop. The non-member workshop fee is $25 and must be paid before the workshop begins. Email familychildcareassoc@gmail.com to confirm enrollment and schedule a payment. No refunds; please make sure you can attend before signing up. Non-member workshop fees are not applicable towards membership.
Providers that are interested in seeing what the FCCA has to offer may attend for free. Non-members who do not pay for the workshop will not receive a training certificate. Visit the membership page to get more information on membership.