Welcome

This training provides participants with essential knowledge and practical strategies to prevent abusive head trauma, formally known as Shaken Baby Syndrome. Participants will explore the causes and risk factors associated with abusive head trauma, recognize early warning signs, and understand the serious and lifelong consequences for infants and young children. The course emphasizes prevention through safe caregiving practices, effective responses to infant crying, and stress-management strategies for caregivers.

Educators will also review their professional and legal responsibilities, including mandated reporting requirements and creating safe, supportive environments for infants and families. Through discussion and real-world scenarios, participants will strengthen their ability to protect children, respond appropriately to challenging situations, and uphold best practices in early childhood care.

Trainer: Wendy Cooper, Director of Professional Development, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Subject Areas Covered: (9) education and information on identification, diagnosis and prevention of shaken baby syndrome.

This training is appropriate for all modalities.

In this hands-on training learn the differences of process versus product in creative art. Participants will learn and participate in activities for children ranging from infant/toddler through school age as well as an introduction into collaborative art in the classroom.

Trainer: Wendy Cooper, Director of Professional Development

OCFS topics covered include: (1) Principles of childhood development and (3) Child day care program development

This training is appropriate for all modalities.

This training focuses on the concept and practice of loose-parts play. Loose parts are open-ended materials that children can move, manipulate, combine, and redesign, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. This training covers various aspects such as understanding loose parts, the benefits of loose-parts play, practical applications, creating a loose-parts environment, and the role of the adult.
This interactive training involves hands-on activities. Participants experience loose-parts play firsthand, and they leave with practical strategies to implement in their child care settings. 

Trainer: Wendy Cooper, Director of Development Coordinator, CCCDP
OCFS topics covered include: (1)Principals of Child Development & (3 )Child Program Development

This training is appropriate for all modalities.

In this training participants will enhance team effectiveness by fostering a strong, cohesive team culture, understanding roles within the program, and promoting active communication strategies to ensure unity and collaboration.

Trainer: Wendy Cooper, Director of Professional Development, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Subject Areas Covered: (3) child day care program development & (5) business record maintenance and management

This training is appropriate for all modalities.

This workshop is designed to meet you where you are and help you focus on your own health, happiness and overall well-being. Together, we will learn about resilience and how important it is that you learn to promote your social-emotional health; how your social and emotional well-being can impact the children and families you serve, in both positive and negative ways; and specific, simple and inexpensive strategies to reduce stress and promote your social-emotional health. The Devereux Adult Resilience Survey (DARS), a self-reflective tool, will be shared to help you gain insights into your resilience. Participants are sure to leave this workshop with energy, enthusiasm, and a commitment to make a few positive changes that will lead to greater happiness, fulfillment, and that will undoubtedly resonate in the work you do every day with children, families, teams and communities! 

Trainers: Wendy Cooper, Director of Professional Development, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Subject Areas Covered: (3) child day care program development & (5) business record maintenance and management

This training is appropriate for all modalities and public.

The goal of this training is to strengthen early childhood educators’ skills in effective communication and family engagement by providing practical strategies, tools, and insights that foster meaningful, enhance trust, and support each child’s development and learning.

Trainers: Wendy Cooper, Director of Professional Development, CCCDP

Daisy Rivera, Resource Coordinator, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Subject Areas Covered: (4) safety and security procedures

This training is appropriate for all modalities.

Course 1- Routines of the room: Proactive Classroom Management

In this course we will review the roles and responsibilities of the providers, learning environment/maintenance, material maintenance, being prepared to observe, document, and communicate, basic review of typical development and curriculum/implementation in each area of play in order to engage the children throughout their whole day.

Trainer: Tiffinie Helweg, Infant/Toddler Specialist, CCCDP

OCFS Subject Areas Covered: (1) Principles of childhood development, (3) Child day care program development

Course Two: Active Interventions

In this course we will discuss age-appropriate behaviors and responsive caregiving, applying proactive/inclusive care, mindfully refreshing learning materials, referring to anecdotes and communication, and how to treat the children as individuals following the same guidelines.

Trainer: Tiffinie Helweg, Infant/Toddler Specialist, CCCDP

OCFS Subject Areas Covered: (1) Principles of childhood development, (3) Child day care program development

Course Three: Responding with Loving Care

In this course we will be referring to the NYS Department of Health early intervention guide as we talk about red flag behaviors and the steps to take when we have exhausted typical classroom interventions.

Trainer: Tiffinie Helweg, Infant/Toddler Specialist, CCCDP

OCFS Subject Areas Covered: (1) Principles of childhood development, (3) Child day care program development

This training aims to equip participants with tools to recognize the "why" behind children's behaviors, implement supportive strategies, and understand the connection between behavior and resiliency.

Trainer: Wendy Cooper, Director of Professional Development, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Subject Areas Covered: (1) principles of childhood development, focusing on the developmental stages of the age groups for which the program provides care & (3) child day care program development

This training is appropriate for all modalities.

This workshop was created to expand your curriculum and classroom. The training will provide you with hands-on nature-based literacy, math, science and art ideas to allow young minds to explore and learn outdoors.

Trainer: Wendy Cooper, Director of Professional Development, CCCDP
OCFS topics covered include: (1) Principles of childhood development and (3) Child day care program development

This workshop is for all modalities.

Behaviors are feelings asking to be understood. Teachers, caregivers and parents are always looking for ways to support children through difficult feelings and toward healthy ways of coping. The FLIP IT strategy offers a simple, kind, strength-based, commonsense and effective four-step process for day-to-day challenges and challenging moments with children. This training teaches participants the four supportive steps of FLIP IT that are designed to help young children (ages 3-8) learn about their feelings, gain self-control, and reduce challenging behavior. The four steps are embodied in the FLIP mnemonic: F – Feelings, L – Limits, I – Inquiries, P – Prompts. This strategy is nothing new but transforms best practice into something that is easy to remember, applicable in a variety of challenging situations, and portable. The purpose of this training is to enhance our understanding of the factors that contribute to children’s use of challenging behavior, review this evidence-based and practical strategy for reducing instances of challenging behavior and introduce a variety of learning tools to teach and support the FLIP IT strategy.

Trainer: Wendy Cooper, Director of Professional Development, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Subject Areas Covered: (1) principles of childhood development, focusing on the developmental stages of the age groups for which the program provides care & (3) child day care program development

This training is appropriate for all modalities and public.

The goal of this training is to equip early childhood educators with the knowledge, skills, and prevention strategies needed to reduce the risk of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma by recognizing warning signs, responding appropriately to caregiver stress, and promoting safe, supportive practices for infants, young children and families.

Trainer: Wendy Cooper, Director of Professional Development, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Subject Areas Covered: (9) education and information on the identification, diagnosis and prevention of shaken baby syndrome

This training is appropriate for all modalities and public.

Mandated Reporter training educates individuals on their legal and ethical responsibilities to report suspected child abuse or neglect. This training covers how to recognize signs of abuse, understand state laws and child care regulations regarding reporting requirements, and proper procedures for notifying authorities.

Trainer: Wendy Cooper, Director of Professional Development, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Subject Areas Covered: (6) child abuse and maltreatment identification and prevention & (8) statutes and regulations pertaining to child abuse and maltreatment

This training is appropriate for all modalities.

In this training, child care educators will delve into the significance of incorporating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) within child care environments. The session will focus on how to implement STEAM programming safely and effectively. Participants will engage in hands-on activities tailored to various age groups, including toddlers, 3/4's and  preschoolers. This training also offers a valuable space for sharing ideas, brainstorming, and collaborating on program development.

OCFS topics covered include: (1) Principles of childhood development and (3) Child day care program development

This training is appropriate for all modalities of care.

This training aims to equip early childhood educators with the knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to provide nutritious snacks, implement effective family-style eating practices, and foster healthy eating habits in young children.

Trainer: Wendy Cooper, Director of Professional Development, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Subject Areas Covered: (2) nutrition and health needs of infants and children

This training is appropriate for all modalities.

In this training we will discuss the importance of teaching resiliency skills to children. Participants will focus on creating environments that foster emotional and physical well-being for children. It emphasizes the importance of developing spaces that support children's coping skills, encourage social-emotional development, and offer opportunities for relaxation, creativity, and positive interactions. Participants learn how to integrate calming elements, sensory-rich materials, flexible layouts, and secure areas where children can feel safe and supported. The training also includes building resilience through structured routines and creating spaces that adapt to children's diverse needs and developmental stages. This is a hands-on class. Participants will make and take materials to implement into their program.

Trainers: Wendy Cooper, Director of Professional Development,
Mara Goulette, Program & Resource Supervisor, CCCDP

OCFS topics covered include: (1) Principles of childhood development and (3) Child day care program development

This training is appropriate for all modalities of care.

What does effective supervision involve? How does your room arrangement, physical proximity, and understanding of the children in your care contribute to effective supervision? Discover how "Active Supervision" can minimize injuries and accidents in your program. Understand how programs are regulated by NYS regarding supervision.

Trainers: Wendy Cooper, Director of Professional Development, CCCDP

Daisy Rivera, Resource Coordinator, CCCDP

OCFS Subject Areas Covered: (1) Principles of Childhood Development, (3) Child Day Care Program Development

This training is appropriate for all modalities of care.

This training is designed to strengthen early childhood educators’ understanding of serious incidents, mandated reporting responsibilities, and the process for reporting to the State Central Register (SCR), ensuring they are equipped to recognize, respond to, and report concerns in compliance with legal and ethical obligations.

Trainer: Wendy Cooper, Director of Professional Development, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Subject Areas Covered: (5) business record maintenance and management & (8) statutes and regulations pertaining to child abuse and maltreatment.

This training is appropriate for all modalities.

This training equips participants with the knowledge and skills to design engaging and developmentally appropriate dramatic play spaces for children. Participants will explore the importance of dramatic play in fostering creativity, social-emotional development, and language skills. The session will cover key elements of designing versatile play areas, including selecting themes, incorporating props, organizing materials and ensuring inclusiveness and safety. Through hands-on activities, educators will learn how to create immersive environments that encourage role-playing, problem-solving, and collaboration. By the end of the training, attendees will be prepared to develop captivating dramatic play experiences that inspire imagination and meaningful learning.

Trainer: Wendy Cooper, Director of Professional Development, CCCDP

OCFS Subject Areas Covered: (1) Principles of Childhood Development, (3) Child Day Care Program Development

This training is appropriate for all modalities of care.

This training provides opportunities to explore typical behaviors from birth to middle childhood, and some of the typical reasons for seeing them occur. The intention of the discussion is to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and how the children sense our energy, development and behavior, foster greater empathy for the individual, and create openness to adjusting curriculum to provide the most fulfilling experiences for each child.

Trainer: Tiffinie Helweg, Infant/Toddler Specialist, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Competency Areas: (1) Principles of childhood development, (3) Child day care program development

This training is appropriate for all modalities.

This session will provide the opportunity to role play the behaviors of children and their teachers during challenging transitions through the day to have a more hands-on training experience in how to be proactive in managing anxiety and defiance, while providing individualized care through a predictable and structured daily schedule.

Trainer: Tiffinie Helweg, Infant/Toddler Specialist, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Competency Areas: (1) Principles of childhood development, (3) Child day care program development

This training is appropriate for FDC, GFDC & DCC.

This is a curriculum developed by Dr. Becky Bailey as part of the Conscious Discipline methodology. It is designed specifically for infants and toddlers (ages 0–3) to foster attachment, attunement, and social-emotional skills. By using baby dolls, children can "relive" the connection they have experienced with a caregiver, effectively turning a group ratio (e.g., 6:1) into a 1:1 emotional experience for each child.

Trainer: Tiffinie Helweg, Infant Toddler Specialist, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Competency Areas: :(1) Principles of childhood development, (3) Child day care program development

This training is appropriate for FDC, GFDC & DCC.

This training highlights the importance of individualized care, consistency and repetition, proactive measures, and classroom materials as integral parts to the sum of the collective learning experiences. Bearing in mind ages and stages of children, techniques such as positive redirection, praise, planned ignoring, modification, and inclusion will be explored.

Trainer: Tiffinie Helweg, Infant/Toddler Specialist, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Competency Areas: (1) Principles of childhood development, (3) Child day care program development

This training is appropriate for FDC, GFDC & DCC.

Caring Spaces Endorsement begins with training on four tiers of developmentally appropriate practices: Freedom of Movement, Responsive Caregiving, Quality Materials and Experiences, and Engaging in Brave Conversations with Parents about Child Development and Challenging Behaviors. This endorsement indicates to the community that you and your staff have fine-tuned your expertise on learning through the domains of development. Annual renewal of the endorsement is of no cost to the educator.

Trainer: Tiffinie Helweg, Infant Toddler Specialist, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Competency Areas: (1) Principles of childhood development, (3) Child day care program development

This training is appropriate for FDC, GFDC & DCC.

This will focus on the process of the formal/informal, summative, and formative assessments and how important it is to utilize all methods throughout the year while involving the parents' observations and input, as well. We will have the opportunity to talk about the importance of early intervention, and how to help families be more aware of types of educational facilities, and how effective it can be to find the setting that suits various learning styles.

Trainer: Tiffinie Helweg, Infant Toddler Specialist, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Competency Areas: :(1) Principles of childhood development, (3) Child day care program development

This training is appropriate for all modalities.

The continuity of care model allows infants/toddlers and their teachers to stay together as a group until all children in the group are thirty-six (36) months of age. For purposes of maintaining continuity of care model, and with prior approval from the Office, centers may mix children six weeks of age to 36 months of age in one classroom. The continuity of care model requires that a day care center make every effort to establish and maintain a primary relationship between teachers and children and their respective families over a period of years.

While continuity of care plans are permitted, day care centers are not required to offer continuity of care models in their programs.

Training on the following continuity of care guidelines will be followed:

• All teachers assigned to a continuity of care classroom will receive instruction regarding the concepts of

continuity of care.

• Teachers assigned to a continuity of care classroom will be assigned to that classroom and those children only,

in order that they may develop consistent, positive relationships with the children in their care.

• Continuity of care teachers will each be assigned to a small number of children only; however they will also act

as each other’s back-up when a need arises to safeguard children’s health and safety.

• Continuity of care teachers will be directly responsible for communication with their assigned children’s parents;

however they will also act as each other’s back-up when a teacher is absent or unavailable.

• The teacher/child ratio and maximum group size in continuity of care classrooms will be applicable to the

youngest child in the group, consistent with section 418-1.8(k) of regulation.

• The center’s continuity of care programming, furnishings, equipment and size will meet the developmental

needs of all children in the room.

• Parents of children assigned to a continuity of care classroom will be informed by the program about this model

and will agree in writing to placing their child in a continuity of care group.

Trainer: Tiffinie Helweg, Infant Toddler Specialist, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Competency Areas: (1) Principles of childhood development, (3) Child day care program development

This training is appropriate for FDC, GFDC & DCC.

This training will focus on how building on Strengths, addressing Needs, creating Adaptations, and collaborating with Partners will enrich educational experiences for all children in your program.

Trainer: Tiffinie Helweg, Infant/Toddler Specialist, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Competency Areas: (1) Principles of childhood development, (3) Child day care program development

This training is appropriate for all modalities.

This training highlights two forms of effective guidance: developmental and interventional. We will discuss when it is most appropriate to utilize each form throughout day as we use our discernment in responding to planning and curriculum needs, and calming techniques.

Trainer: Tiffinie Helweg, Infant Toddler Specialist, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Competency Areas: (1) Principles of childhood development, (3) Child day care program development

This training is appropriate for all modalities.

This training session is designed to encourage deeper thought about the crucial role that social-emotional learning of infants, mobile infants, and toddlers has in their life-long love of learning and development. Turning simple “cooing” and fingerplay songs, along with peek-a-boo games and gazing at nature will be discussed, and just how vital these everyday activities we may overlook as teaching are to our youngest learners’ well-being.

Trainer: Tiffinie Helweg, Infant Toddler Specialist, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Competency Areas: 1) Principles of childhood development, (3) Child day care program development

This training is appropriate for FDC, GFDC & DCC.

Participants will understand what Responsive Caregiving is and improve practices within their classrooms by exploring strategies for their specific developmental age groups. Discussion on the importance of trust, consistency in dependable interactions, structure and how to attune to ourselves and the children throughout routines will prepare participants for small group activity designed to bring awareness to our own responses to the children and how to enrich those experiences.

Trainer: Tiffinie Helweg, Infant/Toddler Specialist, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Competency Areas: (1) Principles of childhood development, (3) Child day care program development

The 5 w's of Toddler Biting will explore:

Who was bit? Who does the biting? Who was supervising the children?

What happened before, during and after the incident?

Where did the incident occur?

When did the incident occur?

Why do you believe the incident has occurred or reoccurs?

And finally, we will discuss how to document incidents, implement individualized, developmentally appropriate responsive care for the children in the room by being proactive and creating an atmosphere that caters to the children's interests and abilities. The steps to take when typical interventions have been exhausted will also be explored.

Trainer: Tiffinie Helweg, Infant/Toddler Specialist, CCCDP

NYS OCFS Competency Areas: :(1) Principles of childhood development, (3) Child day care program development

This training is appropriate for FDC, GFDC & DCC.

This competency-based 8-hour course provides specific instruction on safely administering medication to children in child care programs. Successful completion of this course is required for an individual to administer medication in a child day care program. This is the only course approved by NYS OCFS for this purpose.

OCFS Topics:
Nutrition and Health, Child Care Statutes and Regs, Safety and Security

Trainer: Megan Weber, Health Consultant, CCCDP

This competency-based 1-hour course provides instruction on safely administering medication to children in a child care program. Successful completion of this course requires the provider to complete (with 100% accuracy) a random skills competency test. This is the only course approved by NYS OCFS for this purpose.

OCFS Topics:
Nutrition and Health

Trainer: Megan Weber, Health Consultant, CCCDP

This competency-based 15-hour training provides a foundation for practices that promote and protect the health and safety of children in home-based child care. Successful completion of this course is required for all new family or group family day care applicants in New York State prior to licensure or registration, as well as for existing family or group family day care providers who change location or modality. This course is required for all new FDC and GFDC providers by NYS OCFS.

OCFS Topics:
Nutrition and Health, Child Care Statutes and Regs, Business Records, Safety and Security, CA/M ID and Prevention, CA/M Statutes and Regs, Shaken Baby Syndrome

Class is scheduled for 20 hours to accommodate for skills testing and breaks

Trainer: Wendy Cooper, Health & Safety Instructor

This competency-based 15-hour training provides a foundation for practices that promote and protect the health and safety of children in Day Care Center and School-Age Child Care Program staff. This course is approved by NYS OCFS and meets the federal minimum health and safety training requirements.

OCFS Topics:
Nutrition and Health, Child Care Statutes and Regs, Business Records, Safety and Security, CA/M ID and Prevention, CA/M Statutes and Regs, Shaken Baby Syndrome

Class is scheduled for 20 hours to accommodate for skills testing and breaks

Trainer: Wendy Cooper, Health & Safety Instructor