Communities of Practice

Communities of Practice (COP) are formed by early childhood educators and leaders who share a passion for teaching children and engage in the process of learning how to do it better as they interact regularly and support one another. Most Communities of Practice meet monthly, with the same group of teachers or leaders attending over an extended period of time.

Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Communities of Practice 

Registration for the 2026-2027 Communities of Practice (COP) is now open! Monthly registration is also open for the Directors Essentials learning circle. Visit our training calendar to learn more about Directors Essentials at www.4cforkids.org/training.

COPs are free to join, and all sessions are approved for ECE-TRIS credit. Ongoing attendance is a requirement. To register for a COP, email the trainer listed in the description. Thank you to our sponsors at the Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation, PNC, The C.E. and S. Foundation, and the Family Child Care Network of Kentucky for making this a free professional development opportunity for our early childhood community.

Fall 2026 - Spring 2027 Communities of Practice

The Hundred Languages of Life: Supporting the Competent Child Community of Practice

• Nine-month Community of Practice: September 2026 - May 2027
• Day and Time: Fourth Tuesday of the month 9:30 – 11:30 am (first session 9/22)
• Location: 4-C, 908 S. 8th St. Suite 201, Louisville, KY 40203 (map)
• ECE-TRIS credit approved: Earn up to 16 hours
• Cost: Free
• Registration: Contact Sarah Bonifer at [email protected].

This Community of Practice is for all educators who want to deepen their knowledge and ability for authentic skills assessment through documentation. In this COP, educators will have hands-on opportunities for material exploration before introducing materials to children, instruction and support to create and share their classroom documentation with other participants, and discuss the many ways that children learn practical life skills through play. Not only do you help children get ready for school, but ready for life!

Navigating Challenging Behaviors Community of Practice

• Nine-month Community of Practice: September 2026 - May 2027
• Day and Time: Fourth Thursday of the month 12:30-2:30 pm (beginning 9/24)
• Location: 4-C, 908 S. 8th St. Suite 201, Louisville, KY 40203 (map)
• ECE-TRIS credit approved: Earn up to 16 hours
• Cost: Free
• Registration: Contact Carrie Christensen [email protected]

This Community of Practice will provide educators with an opportunity to explore effective strategies for responding to challenging behavior. Our sessions will focus on the development of social-emotional skills that support both students and educators. Topics will include co-regulation, emotional literacy, conflict resolution, and the neuroscience of behavior.

Comunidad de Práctica en Español - Creciendo Juntos: Inspirando la Excelencia desde Nuestras Fortalezas/Spanish Community of Practice - Growing Together: Inspiring Excellence Through Our Strengths

• Nueve Meses Comunidad de Práctica/Nine-month Community of Practice: Septiembre 2026 - Mayo 2027/September 2026 - May 2027
• Día y Hora/Day and Time: Tercer miércoles de cada mes, de 6:00 a 8:00 pm (primera sesión: 9/16)/Third Wednesday of each month, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm (first session: 9/16)
• Ubicación/Location: 4-C, 908 S. 8th St. Suite 201, Louisville, KY 40203 (mapa/map)
• ECE TRIS Horas de Crédito/ECE-TRIS Credit: Gana hasta 16 horas de crédito/Earn up to 16 hours
• Precio/Cost: Gratis/Free
• Registrarte/Registration: Contacta a Mavie Leon Diaz a [email protected]

Esta Comunidad de Práctica en Español es una experiencia de aprendizaje profesional colaborativa diseñada para fortalecer y empoderar a los educadores de la primera infancia de habla hispana, reconociendo al educador como uno de los recursos más valiosos para el aprendizaje y el desarrollo de los niños. A lo largo de esta serie, los educadores fortalecerán sus habilidades, reflexionarán sobre su práctica y colaborarán con otros profesionales para enriquecer su labor. Cada sesión ofrecerá estrategias de currículo intencional y actividades prácticas listas para implementar con niños desde la etapa de infantes hasta preescolar. ¡Únase a nosotros para aprender, colaborar y crecer juntos en esta enriquecedora Comunidad de Práctica!

This Spanish Community of Practice is a collaborative professional learning experience designed to strengthen and empower Spanish-speaking early childhood educators by recognizing educators as one of the most valuable resources in supporting children's learning and development. Throughout this series, educators will strengthen their skills, reflect on their practice, and collaborate with colleagues to enhance their professional growth. Each session will provide intentional curriculum strategies and ready-to-use activities that can be implemented with children from infancy through preschool. Join us to learn, collaborate, and grow together in this enriching Community of Practice!