Early Childhood
Early Childhood Online Courses
Our online courses consist of 1,000+ hours of professional learning content in English and Spanish that covers a wide range of topics in early childhood education.
Program Overview
The Early Childhood Online Courses offer a range of guided, asynchronous courses featuring interactive elements, collaborative discussion forums and continuous feedback from a credentialed instructor. Participants gain skills they can apply immediately through job-embedded learning, with courses offered in English and Spanish.
Eligible Participants
Lastinger Early Childhood courses are free for all School Readiness & VPK providers in Florida, including:
- Infant/Toddler Educators (Birth to 3)
- Preschool Educators (Ages 3 to 5)
- Family Child Care Providers
- Directors
- Owners
- Program Leaders
Benefits
- Learn at your own pace with the support of a flexible pacing guide
- Earn 2.0 IACET CEUs per course
- Earn 20 professional learning hours per course
- Eligible participants will receive a $250 stipend upon successful completion
- Support infant/toddler and preschool child development
How to Apply
Applications will open on August 10.
To be notified about future offerings and receive updates about other Lastinger Learning programs, please fill out the Program Interest Form.
Stipend Information
Please visit the Stipends Hub for information about the 2026-27 stipends.
Partner with Us
Interested in bringing Early Childhood Online Courses to your organization? Contact our Early Childhood Partnerships Coordinator to start the conversation.
Format
Each course can be completed in about 20 hours. There is no live instruction, but participants are expected to engage with the course content and activities at least a couple hours per week.
Each course features:
- Videos
- Interactive knowledge checks
- Reflections
- Instructor feedback on assignments
- Discussion forums
Course mastery is determined by an overall course average of 80%, including a Final Project and Post Knowledge Assessment.
As an IACET Accredited Provider, the UF Lastinger Center offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard.
Timeline
*Applications will close once the course capacity has been met.
Courses
Full course descriptions can be found in this document.
Infant-Toddler Courses
English
- Infant Toddler Social-Emotional Development (ITSE)
- Engaging Families of Infants and Toddlers (ITFE)
- Infant Toddler Health, Safety, and Nutrition (ITHSN)
- Language Development for Infants and Toddlers (ITLD)
Español
- Fomentando el Desarrollo Socioemocional Saludable en los Bebés y Niños Pequeños (ITSES)
- Participación Familiar: Involucrando a las Familias de Bebés y Niños Pequeños (ITFES)
- Salud, Seguridad y Nutrición para Bebés y Niños Pequeños (ITHSNS)
Preschool Courses
English
- Preschool Language Development (PLD)**
- The Building Blocks of Preschool Literacy (PLIT)**
- Guiding Preschool Behavior and Building Classroom Community (PGB)**
- Instructional Support in Preschool: Quality of Feedback (PQF)**
- Getting Organized for Learning in Preschool (ACT 1)**
- Understanding and Promoting the Development and Learning of Young Dual Language Learners in Preschool (DLL1)
- Why Ask Why? STEAM in Preschool Learning Environments (STEAM)**
- Preschool Language Development (PLD)
- The Building Blocks of Preschool Literacy (PLIT)
- Supporting Learning in Preschool Classrooms (SLP)**
- This course is completed in 10 hours and provides 1.0 CEU, 10 professional learning hours, and a $125 stipend. Click here to learn more and apply.
Español
- Desarrollo del Lenguaje en Niños Preescolares (PLDS)
- Pautas De Comportamiento Y Creación De Comunidad En El Ámbito Preescolar (PGBS)
- Apoyo Instructivo en el Preescolar: Calidad de los Comentarios (PQFS)
** This course is approved by DEL for VPK Providers on Probation. Learn more about VPK Providers on Probation courses.
IACET Accredited
As an IACET Accredited Provider, the UF Lastinger Center for Learning offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard.
Connect With Us
Fill out our Program Interest Form to stay up to date on Lastinger Learning course offerings, or contact us to bring Lastinger Learning programs to your district or organization.