Professional development hour requirements vary by role and participation in Step Up To Quality (SUTQ).  DCY requires a minimum of 6 hours of approved professional development each year.  Educators in SUTQ-rated programs are required to complete a minimum of 10 hours, while administrators are required to complete up to 15 hours each year.

For center educators needing 10 hours of training, we find it beneficial to schedule two professional development days throughout the year. This approach allows teams to meet hour requirements without fatigue, deepen learning across multiple topics, and create space for meaningful application and reflection — all while staying compliant with SUTQ expectations.

A full Professional Development Day allows programs to complete a significant portion of their required annual training hours in one experience.  This helps reduce the need for multiple trainings spread across evenings, weekends, or nap times throughout the year.

Typically, there will be at least 6 to 7 hours of training.  However, the number of hours your staff will receive depends on the number of trainings you schedule.

SUTQ educators are required to earn a minimum of 10 professional development hours annually and may find two separate PD days helpful to fulfill this requirement.

Some programs choose to close for the day, while others schedule their Professional Development Day on a Saturday. Both options work well. What matters most is clear communication with families and selecting a format that best supports your staff and program needs.

Topics are intentionally selected to support real classroom needs and educator well-being.  These may include classroom management, social-emotional development, communication with families, strengthening routines, and sustaining passion in teaching.  Your Professional Development Day is designed to be practical, relevant, and immediately applicable.

Professional development should not end when the training day concludes.

Select tiers of our Professional Development Days include Guided Implementation Access—a structured, time-limited support option designed to help teachers confidently apply new strategies while remaining fully aligned with center leadership.

This feature was created to support directors and owners by reinforcing training concepts in real classroom moments—without replacing leadership, decision-making, or established center policies.

Guided Implementation Access was designed to complement strong leadership, not compete with it. By supporting teachers as they practice new skills, directors often experience fewer interruptions, more thoughtful conversations, and improved consistency across classrooms.

The result is a more confident team, a calmer learning environment, and professional development that continues to make an impact long after the training day ends.

Yes. All of our Professional Development Days are delivered on-site at your center or at another mutually agreed-upon location.  On-site experiences allow your entire team to learn together in the same space, building shared understanding, alignment, and connection.

No. Full-day experiences are thoughtfully paced with breaks, reflection, discussion, and interactive learning. The goal is to support and energize educators—not overload them—so they leave feeling confident, equipped, and encouraged.

Professional Development Days strengthen teaching quality, improve consistency across classrooms, support staff morale, and reduce burnout. Programs often see improved retention, stronger team culture, and increased confidence from families who value high-quality, well-supported educators.

Families respond well when they understand that Professional Development Days are an investment in quality. Sharing how the training supports teachers, strengthens classrooms, and benefits children helps build trust and reinforces your commitment to excellence.