4-C

American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric Total
2026-02-07 08:30 - 12:30 (America/Chicago) | Dixon YMCA, 110 Galena Ave, Dixon, IL, United States
American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED course teaches child care providers critical skills and knowledge needed to respond to and manage illnesses and injuries in a child or infant in the first minutes until emergency services arrives.
Trainer: Maria Lombardo, Director, Kishwaukee College Early Learning Center
Audience: All Providers
4 Training Hours; Level of Learning: Introductory
Free Training

Optimizing Children's Growth and Development Through Outdoor Play
2026-02-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Online Webinar
Outdoor play serves as a unique role in a young child’s overall development. It’s not just about having fun in the fresh air; it’s an essential aspect of early childhood education that nurtures physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth. This training is designed to help educators recognize the profound benefits of outdoor play and effectively integrate it into their teaching practices. Purposeful interactions during outdoor play enhance the level of supervision, without feeling like supervision to the children, and makes outdoor exploration less likely to be unsafe.
Trainer: Cheryl Joseph, Professor, Oakton Community College
Audience: All Providers
2 Training Hours; Level of Learning: Introductory
Fee:
Non 4-C Members: $10
4-C Members: Free

American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric Total
2026-02-21 08:30 - 12:30 | McHenry County Mental Health Board, Crystal Lake, IL
American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED course teaches child care providers critical skills and knowledge needed to respond to and manage illnesses and injuries in a child or infant in the first minutes until emergency services arrives.
Trainer: Annie Johnson, Assistant Director, The Growing Place
Audience: All Providers
4 Training Hours; Level of Learning: Introductory
Free Training

American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED
2026-02-21 08:30 - 12:30 | McHenry County Mental Health Board, Crystal Lake, IL

American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric Total
2026-02-24 18:00 - 21:00 | Northern Illinois University Child Development and Family Center, DeKalb, IL
American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED course teaches child care providers critical skills and knowledge needed to respond to and manage illnesses and injuries in a child or infant in the first minutes until emergency services arrives.
Trainer: Amy Lofthouse, Associate Director, NIU Child Development & Family Center
Audience: All Providers
3 Training Hours; Level of Learning: Introductory
Free Training

Open Hearts, Open Minds: Challenging Bias in Early Childhood
2026-02-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Online Webinar
During this training we will discuss the formation of implicit and explicit biases. We will focus on the potential negative impact of bias on the way one perceives and communicates with co-workers, children and parents in the early childhood setting. The intention of the training is to build self-awareness of personal bias and to heighten sensitivity to the lasting damage it can introduce into the early childhood classroom.
Trainer: Andrea Cossey, 4-C Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant
Audience: All Providers
2 Training Hours; Level of Learning: Introductory
Fee:
Non 4-C Members: $10
4-C Members: Free

Educational Pathways in Early Childhood Education
2026-03-04 18:30 - 19:30 | Online Webinar
This training introduces the field of early childhood education and care as a career. It focuses on the personal and professional development necessary to impact the lives of young children and families. Identifying effective resources, finding pathways for learning, and financial support are included. Learners will be able to describe career opportunities available in the field of early childhood in Illinois and ways a Higher Education and Workforce Development Navigator can support them from the start of their journey.
Trainers: Kendra Nenia & Dina Alzeer, 4-C Higher Education and Workforce Development Navigators
Audience: All Providers
1 Training Hour; Level of Learning: Introductory
Free Training

Better Together-Module 1: Child Nutrition
2026-03-05 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-03-26 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-04-16 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Online Webinar
This Learning Collaborative focuses on child nutrition best practices and the many ways ECE programs can support healthy eating habits in children by serving healthy foods and beverages, supporting teacher use of recommended feeding practices, and offering education and professional development to children, staff, and families. Participants will learn about healthy eating through the lens of whole child development and child nutrition best practices, while also considering the role of food insecurity and culture in feeding practices. Participants will identify goals for healthy change using Go NAPSACC self-assessment results. With consultant support, participants will select and implement best practices to support healthy eating habits within their program.
*Participants must attend all sessions to receive credit.*
Please note— participant teams is required to consist of a director/owner/leadership member and one other participant to support the best practice implementation. Teams must register at the same time.
Trainer: Cheryl Joseph, Professor, Oakton Community College
Audience: All Providers
10 Training Hours; Level of Learning: Intermediate
Free Training

American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED
2026-03-07 08:30 - 12:30 | DeKalb County Farm Bureau, Sycamore, IL

Know Your Rights (Immigration & Law Enforcement)--presented in English and Spanish/Este curso se impartirá en Inglés y Español
2026-03-10 18:30 - 20:30 | Online Webinar
With the recent upswing of confusing information regarding rights around immigration and law enforcement actions, knowing your rights as an individual or business has become important, especially as we serve families. This workshop will cover your fundamental rights, how to assert them safely, and where to find resources and support. The trainer most often presents this information to schools, so this should be a great source of information. This training is informational only and has no political slant.
Ante el reciente aumento de información confusa sobre los derechos relacionados con la inmigración y las acciones de las fuerzas del orden, conocer sus derechos como individuo o empresa se ha vuelto fundamental, especialmente para quienes trabajamos con familias. Este taller abordará sus derechos fundamentales, cómo ejercerlos de forma segura y dónde encontrar recursos y apoyo. El capacitador suele impartir esta información en escuelas, por lo que esta será una excelente fuente de información. Esta capacitación tiene fines exclusivamente informativos y no tiene ninguna inclinación política.
Trainers: DeKalb Area Rapid Response Team
Audience: All Providers
2 Training Hours; Level of Learning: Introductory
Fee:
Non 4-C Members: $10
4-C Members: Free

Springing Forward: Rhythm, Regulation, and Rituals
2026-03-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Online Webinar
As children transition from Winter into Spring, classrooms often experience increased energy, dysregulation and challenging behaviors. This training invites providers to slow down, reflect, and rethink how rhythm, regulation and daily rituals can support both children and educators during this seasonal shift.
Participants will explore how educator self-regulation directly influences classroom behavior and learn practical, sensory-based strategies to help children navigate high energy moments and challenging transitions. Through discussion, reflection, and breakout activities, providers will design simple, developmentally appropriate rituals that support regulation indoors and outdoors, including strategies for days when outdoor play is limited.
Trainer: Marquita Myles, 4-C Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant
Audience: All Providers
2 Training Hours; Level of Learning: Introductory
Fee:
Non 4-C Members: $10
4-C Members: Free

An Introduction to Contracts & Policies for Family Child Care Providers
2026-03-16 18:00 - 19:30 | Online Webinar
Contracts and policies can be two of the most important documents to have in a program. Family child care providers who enforce well written contracts and policies may find they are able to eliminate potential conflicts with parents. This informative training will be a stepping stone for family child care providers looking to start or improve their contracts and policies.
Trainer: Maggie Fern, 4-C Recruitment, Retention, Referral & Outreach Coordinator
Audience: All Family Child Care Providers
1.5 Training Hours; Level of Learning: Introductory
Fee:
Non 4-C Members: $10
4-C Members: Free

American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED
2026-03-31 18:00 - 21:00 | Northern Illinois University Child Development and Family Center, DeKalb, IL

Smart Start Workforce Grant Orientation for Child Care Centers
2026-04-02 12:00 - 13:30 | Online Webinar
This orientation is a mandatory training to be able to apply for Smart Start Workforce Grants in FY27. This training seeks to provide licensed center-based programs with a comprehensive understanding of Smart Start Workforce Grants. The goal is to strengthen participants’ knowledge about the grants, including the required wage floor, application requirements, and the steps to apply successfully. It will also cover grant eligibility, reporting and audit requirements, and how to access technical assistance, resources, and support. Throughout the course, intermittent assessments and scenarios will be included to enhance comprehension of the material. Participants will have opportunities to engage with and receive guidance from a local expert in their area either virtually or in-person.

An Introduction to Contracts & Policies for Child Care Centers
2026-04-02 18:00 - 19:30 | Online Webinar
Contracts and policies can be two of the most important documents to have in a program. Child care providers who enforce well written contracts and policies may find they are able to eliminate potential conflicts with parents. This informative training will be a stepping stone for child care providers looking to start or improve their contracts and policies.
Trainer: Maggie Fern, 4-C Recruitment, Retention, Referral & Outreach Specialist
Audience: All Providers working at Child Care Centers, focus on those in leadership roles
1.5 Training Hours; Level of Learning: Introductory
Fee:
Non 4-C Members: $10
4-C Members: Free

Smart Start Workforce Grant Orientation for Family Child Care Providers
2026-04-02 18:00 - 19:30 | Online Webinar

Emergency Preparedness
2026-04-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Online Webinar
Emergencies and disasters are unpredictable, chaotic, and can leave a lasting impact on our child care, families, and communities. If we are prepared for emergencies and disasters, we can feel more capable of handling them and recovering from them. In this training, we will discuss the emergency plan cycle, types of emergencies and disasters, and how we can equip care facilities to be prepared for emergencies and disasters we may encounter. Time will also be allotted to work on your own written emergency preparedness plan.
Trainer: Jennifer Schwartz, 4-C Training Coordinator
Audience: All Providers
2 Training Hours; Level of Learning: Introductory
Fee:
Non 4-C Members: $10
4-C Members: Free

American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED
2026-04-11 08:30 - 12:30 | McHenry County Mental Health Board, Crystal Lake, IL
American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED course teaches child care providers critical skills and knowledge needed to respond to and manage illnesses and injuries in a child or infant in the first minutes until emergency services arrives.
Trainer: Annie Johnson, Assistant Director, The Growing Place
Audience: All Providers with a 4-C Membership
4 Training Hours; Level of Learning: Introductory
Free Training

Advocacy 101
2026-04-13 18:30 - 20:30 | Online Webinar
Begin your Week of the Young Child celebration by sharpening your advocacy skills that play a vital role in shaping systems that impact young children and their families. This training will equip participants with advocacy strategies that center family voice, address systemic inequities, and promote trauma-informed, equity-centered care. Through real-world examples and interactive dialogue, attendees will explore how to engage families as true partners in shaping policies and practice-from the classroom to the community level.
We are living in a time of big change, and more than ever young children and their families need Early Childhood Professionals championing their needs, and then importantly, teaching families how to make their needs heard!
Trainer: Dr. Anni Reinking
Audience: All Providers
2 Training Hours; Level of Learning: Introductory
Fee:
Non 4-C Members: $10
4-C Members: Free

**CANCELLED** American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED
2026-04-18 08:30 - 12:30 | Dixon YMCA, 110 Galena Ave, Dixon, IL, United States
American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED course teaches child care providers critical skills and knowledge needed to respond to and manage illnesses and injuries in a child or infant in the first minutes until emergency services arrives.
Trainer: Maria Lombardo, Director, Kishwaukee College Early Childhood Center
Audience: All Providers with a 4-C Membership
4 Training Hours; Level of Learning: Introductory
Free Training

**CANCELLED** American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED
2026-04-21 18:00 - 21:00 | Northern Illinois University Child Development and Family Center, DeKalb, IL
American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED course teaches child care providers critical skills and knowledge needed to respond to and manage illnesses and injuries in a child or infant in the first minutes until emergency services arrives.
Trainer: Amy Lofthouse, Associate Director, Northern Illinois University Child Development & Family Center
Audience: All Providers with a 4-C Membership
3 Training Hours; Level of Learning: Introductory
Free Training

Let's Get Growing: Plants, Seeds, and Science
2026-04-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Online Webinar
Some are as tiny as the head of a pin, some are just the right size to throw, and others are as big as a baby’s head. We eat them, we bury them, and we couldn’t survive without them. This training will introduce age-appropriate activities and resources you can use to engage children in the fascinating study of seeds. Participants will collect kid-friendly seed-centered activities like sorting, calculating, comparing, counting, dissecting, planting, tasting, throwing and more.
Each attendee will receive a set of seed samples and all ready to use activity via mail or drop off!!
Trainer: Rhodora Collins, Agricultural Literacy Coordinator, DeKalb County Farm Bureau
Audience: All Providers
2 Training Hours; Level of Learning: Introductory
Fee:
Non 4-C Members: $10
4-C Members: Free

**CANCELLED** American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric CPR AED First Aid
2026-05-02 08:30 - 12:30 | Dixon YMCA, 110 Galena Ave, Dixon, IL, United States
American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED course teaches child care providers critical skills and knowledge needed to respond to and manage illnesses and injuries in a child or infant in the first minutes until emergency services arrives.
Trainer: Maria Lombardo, Director, Kishwaukee Early Childhood Learning Center
Audience: All Providers with a 4-C Membership
4 Training Hours; Level of Learning: Introductory
Free Training

Calm, Connected, and Caring: SEL for Family Child Care
2026-05-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Online Webinar
This training supports Family Child Care Providers in using simple mindfulness and social-emotional learning tools to create calmer days and more connected relationships. Participants will explore realistic strategies for managing their own stress, deepen understanding of children’s feelings and behavior, and respond to families with empathy and clear boundaries in the unique context of family childcare.
Trainer: Andrea Cossey, 4-C Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant
Audience: All Family Child Care Providers
2 Training Hours; Level of Learning: Intermediate
Fee:
Non 4-C Members: $10
4-C Members: Free

Career Pathways in Early Childhood Education and Care
2026-05-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Online Webinar
This training introduces the field of early childhood education and care as a career. It focuses on the personal and professional development necessary to impact the lives of young children and families. Identifying effective resources, finding pathways for learning, and financial support are included. Learners will be able to describe career opportunities available in the field of early childhood in Illinois and ways a Higher Education and Workforce Development Navigator can support them from the start of their journey.
Trainers: Dina Alzeer & Kendra Nenia, 4-C Higher Education and Workforce Development Navigator
Audience: All Providers
1 Training Hour; Level of Learning: Introductory
Free Training

Supporting Families Where They Are At: Housing Insecurity
2026-05-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Online Webinar
You know your families. When something feels off, you notice. This training will help you understand what to do when a family in your care is dealing with housing instability. Learn what McKinney-Vento services mean for your program, how to spot eligibility, how to reduce barriers to enrollment and attendance, and where to connect families for help. Walk away feeling confident, informed and ready to support the families who need you most. Contact information will be provided for all counties in the 4-C service delivery area.
Trainer: Monique Shaw, McKinney Vento Coordinator, DeKalb County ROE
Audience: All Providers
1.5 Training Hours; Level of Learning: Introductory
Fee:
Non 4-C Members: $10
4-C Members: Free

American Heart Association Heartsaver Pediatric CPR AED First Aid
2026-05-26 17:30 - 21:30 | Northern Illinois University Child Development and Family Center, DeKalb, IL
