High-quality early childhood education (ECE) doesn’t happen by chance. In fact, research consistently shows that providing educators with ongoing professional development (PD) is a crucial factor in enhancing classroom quality and improving outcomes for young children.
But that’s often easier said than done. Budgets are tighter, educators are busier than ever, and traditional PD models don’t always meet the distinct needs of early childhood programs. To address this gap, ECE leaders are opting for more flexible and affordable options to train and support early educators.
Kaplan delivers virtual professional learning with these challenges in mind. With customized and a la carte virtual training solutions, we provide high-quality professional development that matches your unique goals, budget, and timeline. Let’s take a closer look at how our virtual professional learning can support your staff and strengthen early childhood classrooms.
What’s included in Kaplan’s virtual professional learning packages?
There’s a common misconception that virtual professional development is less engaging or effective than in-person training. Educators might even assume it’s one-size-fits-all and won’t translate into real-world strategies that you can apply in the classroom right away. This is where Kaplan makes a difference.
Our practical, research-based virtual training delivers the same exceptional content and expert-led training as our on-site options. Each session is grounded in the latest research in early childhood education and aligns with national standards from NAEYC and the Head Start and Early Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF). Plus, trainings are 100% live—not pre-recorded or game-based—giving participants a chance to ask questions, share ideas, and interact with the presenter and fellow learners in real time. And, depending on the format, sessions last only two to four hours, so educators can sharpen their skills without being stuck at a screen all day.
What’s the difference between customized and à la carte virtual training options? Our customized plans are tailored to your specific budget, schedule, and professional learning goals. With over 60 years of combined teaching experience, our Professional Learning Team works closely with you to assess your needs and build a customized training plan that’s relevant, affordable, and impactful. The a la carte sessions, which can be purchased by seat or by participant, are pre-scheduled, out-of-the-box virtual trainings that cover relevant, real-world topics for early childhood professionals.
Here’s what you can expect when you partner with Kaplan to provide virtual professional learning:
1. Practical training that solves real challenges.
Our virtual professional learning sessions cover a range of topics that reflect the daily realities of working in an early childhood classroom. Each session is designed to connect theory to best practice, delivering proven and actionable strategies that educators can apply immediately.Training topics include:
- Classroom management
- Inclusive practices
- Science and STEM
- Loose parts play
- Art and music
- Language and the science of reading
- Support for dual language learners
- Mindfulness
- Interpersonal skills
Similar to on-site training, we also offer instructional coaching and implementation training for curricula and assessment tools. After each training, certificates of completion are available upon request, as well as post-session reports to track engagement and inform future training decisions.
2. Instructors with real classroom experience.
We require all our instructors to have classroom experience and advanced degrees in fields like early education, leadership, special education, and child psychology. They must also have specific training in their area of expertise. For example, our literary sessions are led by literary experts who have advanced literary degrees, as well as experience in literacy teaching and coaching.
Our instructors don’t just teach—they “walk the walk,” drawing on decades of experience with educators and children and using authentic stories and real-world examples to bring each session to life.
3. Interactive content that sparks engagement.
We don’t do passive, sit-and-get PD. Even though sessions are virtual, they remain interactive and engaging. They’re led by passionate early childhood professionals who bring both deep expertise and enthusiasm to each session. We also incorporate hands-on, collaborative learning opportunities—creating space for questions, discussion, and peer reflection during the training and through virtual breakout rooms.
Our participants say it best—here’s how they described their experience:
"It was worth my Saturday morning. The presenter was very engaging and the training was as well.”
"Whatever we paid for this training, it is worth EVERY penny."
How much are Kaplan’s virtual professional learning packages?
Virtual training plans are customized to align with your schedule, budget, and program structure. Therefore, pricing may vary based on several factors, such as participant numbers and the number and length of sessions.
Typical virtual PD sessions start at around $1,650 for up to 30 participants for up to three hours. However, this price can fluctuate. We will do our best to work with the needs of your organization, and can make adjustments that better fit your schedule and budget. To get a more accurate quote for virtual professional learning for your team, contact our Professional Learning Department or your local Kaplan representative.
Looking for free or low-cost virtual training options?
We have those too! If a customized virtual training plan isn’t the right fit, we offer convenient and cost-effective alternatives that don't sacrifice quality or impact.
Pre-scheduled virtual learning sessions
Our pre-scheduled by-seat virtual learning sessions equip early educators with the necessary skills to provide higher-quality education and care—but at a lower cost. Live sessions are offered multiple times each month via Zoom and are accessible to anyone with a reliable internet connection, regardless of their location.
Even though these trainings aren’t tailored to a single program, they’re thoughtfully designed around the latest insights in early childhood education. Each session focuses on the real needs of early educators, covering topics like curriculum implementation, classroom management, social-emotional development, and family engagement.
By-seat virtual sessions are ideal for small groups, individuals, or educators with busy schedules. Even better, enrollment is quick and easy. With our new, convenient online portal, educators can register for virtual training in minutes with prices starting at $55 per seat (excluding C4L training).
Download our training schedule to browse upcoming professional learning sessions and find those that align with your staff’s needs, interests, and goals.
Free professional learning community
No budget, no problem! We’ve partnered with EdWeb to provide free, 1-hour PD sessions to early childhood educators. As part of our free professional learning community, educators can:
Receive free continuing education (CE) certifications for participation
Connect with industry experts in real-time
Access a free resource library available 24/7
Collaborate with other educators and experts
And so much more!
Join the Kaplan Classroom Management for Early Learning community to check our upcoming webinars and access high-quality PD at no cost to you.
Is virtual professional learning right for your team?
Which virtual professional learning option is best for your team? Here are four key factors to help guide your decision:
1. Goals
First, define your professional learning goals and the impact you want PD to have. If you’re looking for training tailored to your specific goals and challenges, our customized virtual PD is the perfect solution. But if you prefer flexible, bite-sized learning that's easily accessible, our by-seat virtual sessions and webinars are the ideal choice.
2. Budget
Many early childhood programs operate on very tight budgets, and PD often takes the back seat to more critical expenses. All our professional learning solutions are competitively priced and tailored to meet every budget. If you have a minimal budget, free or by-seat virtual sessions might be best. However, depending on the number of people you want to register for a virtual session, our customized PD packages might be a better fit.
3. Staff availability
Early childhood educators—especially those in childcare—often work long, demanding days, making it challenging to carve out time for professional development. Unlike our customized virtual PD, which offers in-depth sessions lasting up to 4 hours, most of our by-seat virtual sessions are just two hours long and typically held in the evenings or on weekends, making them a more convenient option for many early childhood professionals.
4. Team size
Is your team large and spread across multiple roles and sites? Or do you have a smaller group of educators with similar training needs? Our customized virtual PD works well for larger groups or those with diverse needs because we tailor the content to your staff. In contrast, our by-seat virtual sessions and webinars are ideal for small teams or individuals who prefer more flexibility to choose from a collection of available training topics.
Explore our virtual professional learning solutions for early childhood programs.
The importance of continuous, high-quality professional development cannot be overstated. It’s a powerful investment in higher-quality classrooms, more confident educators, and better outcomes for children. With decades of experience delivering engaging, high-quality programming, Kaplan provides virtual professional training that has a measurable impact, all at a price that works within your budget.
Contact our Professional Development Team today to learn more about our customized virtual professional learning packages. They’ll be happy to help you design the best training and consulting solution for your team.
