Early Childhood
Early Childhood Coaching Certification
This eight-month in-person or online program leads participants through a job-embedded coaching certification that prepares them to support early childhood educators in the classroom.
Program Overview
The Early Childhood Coaching Certification Program offers in-person and online professional learning opportunities designed for coaches actively coaching early childhood educators. This program provides participants the opportunity to:
- Learn the fundamentals of coaching
- Enhance goal setting and modeling evidence-based strategies while coaching educators
- Collect and use data effectively while coaching educators
- Engage in impactful coaching conversations with educators
- Improve teacher practice and child outcomes
Successful completion of the online program is defined as meeting all program requirements, including completing learning activities and benchmark assignments and demonstrating competency by earning at least an “Emerging” rating in all dimensions of the final coaching conversation rubric.
Successful completion of the in-person program is defined as consistent attendance, active engagement in all required learning sessions and practice activities, completion of required activities, and demonstrating competence by earning at least an “Emerging” rating in all dimensions of the final coaching conversation rubric.
Benefits
- Enhance educator/child interactions & teaching practices
- Strengthen teacher practices to improve child outcomes and boost kindergarten readiness
- Deepen program leaders’ instructional coaching skills
- Earn 4 IACET CEUs and 40 in-service hours for in-person/8.0 IACET CEUs and 80 in-service hours for successful completion of the online program.
How to Apply
Applications for this program are coordinated through Early Learning Coalitions. Please contact your local ELC for more information.
To receive updates about other Lastinger Center learning opportunities, please fill out the Program Interest Form.
Maintain Your Certification
To maintain certification, certified coaches must participate in an annual Calibration.
Partner with Us
Interested in bringing the Early Childhood Coaching Certification to your organization? Contact our Early Childhood Partnerships Coordinator to start the conversation.
Eligible Participants
Early childhood professionals who are able to actively coach an educator in a classroom for the duration of the program including:
- Early Childhood partners coaching educators who are actively teaching or other coaches
- Program leaders coaching educators in a classroom
- Aspiring coaches and leaders coaching educators in a classroom or other coaches
For New or Aspiring Coaches
Coaching Certification Program
Early childhood professionals who would like to become a Lastinger certified coach complete a coaching program.
Audience:
- Early childhood partners coaching educators in a classroom or other coaches
- Program leaders coaching educators in a classroom
- Aspiring coaches and leaders coaching educators in a classroom or other coaches
Format
The Coaching Certification program is offered in-person or online. The in-person option includes eight days of training completed over eight months. The online option includes 10 online modules completed over eight months, with blended support through Community of Practice cohorts and office hours.
Timeline
Enrollment opens | August 25, 2026
Course start date | September 17, 2026
| 1st CoP | September 17, 2026 | 1-3 PM |
| Modules 1-3 | September 24–October 22, 2026 | |
| Module 4 | October 26–November 16, 2026 | |
| Module 5 | November 19–December 14, 2026 | |
| Module 6 | December 17, 2026–January 14, 2027 | |
| Module 7 | January 18–February 15, 2027 2nd CoP: January 22, 2027 | 9-11 AM |
| Module 8 | February 18–March 18, 2027 | |
| Module 9 | March 22–April 19, 2027 3rd CoP: March 17, 2027 | 1-3 PM |
| Module 10 | April 22–May 5, 2027 |
Recorded Webinars
These recorded webinars are designed to help current coaches enhance their coaching abilities with actionable strategies and resources.
Coaching Calibrations
(required annually)
Overview
Lastinger Certified coaches maintain their certification and deepen their coaching practice through the Coaching Calibrations. Participants only need to attend one Coaching Calibration per year to maintain their early childhood certified coach status.
Audience:
Lastinger certified early childhood coaches
Registration details are emailed annually to certified coaches and early learning partners.
Successful completion is defined as submission of pre-work, full participation in the session, including attendance and engagement in all learning activities, actively participating in structured learning experiences, and demonstrating application of new learning through collaborative activities and session assignments. 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.
Format
Calibrations are three-hour sessions that are held virtually.
Benefits
- Enhance educator/child interactions & teaching practices
- Strengthen teacher practices to improve child outcomes and boost kindergarten readiness
- Deepen program leaders’ instructional coaching skills
- Earn .5 IACET CEUs and 5 in-service hours
Timeline — 2026-2027
Dates and Times
October 19, 2026 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.This session has reached capacity.November 5, 2026 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.This session has reached capacity.January 27, 2027 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.This session has reached capacity.- February 25, 2027 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- April 6, 2027 | 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- May 19, 2027 | 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
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.