The New Wave of Learning: Why LMS and In-House Training Are Reshaping Professional Development in Early Childhood Education
Anisha Grossett • August 1, 2025
In today’s fast-evolving world of early childhood education, professional development can no longer be a one-time event or an annual checkbox. The most innovative organizations are embracing a new model of learning — one that’s flexible, sustainable, and embedded into the culture of their team. Enter: the Learning Management System (LMS) and the rise of in-house training ecosystems.
๐ The Shift to Ongoing, Accessible Learning
A Learning Management System (LMS) is a digital platform used to deliver, track, and manage training and education. Think of it as a virtual hub where your team can access workshops, modules, videos, and interactive learning activities — all at their own pace.
More than a trend, LMS platforms are becoming an essential tool for childcare organizations that want to stay aligned with licensing requirements, increase staff engagement, and reduce onboarding time for new educators. But even more importantly, they empower staff to grow in real time — with content tailored to their daily realities.
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๐ Why In-House Training is the Future
While outside PD sessions still have their place, the most successful teams are building their own internal learning pathways. Here's why:
- Consistency of Vision: Your team learns based on your mission, values, and approach.
- Onboarding to Excellence: New staff don’t have to wait for the next PD day — they can start strong from day one.
- Ongoing Growth: Bite-sized, on-demand modules support continuous development.
- Retention and Culture: Staff feel supported and invested in, which leads to stronger retention and a thriving culture.
๐ ๏ธ Real Examples from The ECC in Action
At The Early Childhood Coach, we’ve partnered with several organizations to embed professional learning directly into their LMS platforms and internal PD systems. A few highlights:
- Municipal Childcare Systems: We’ve collaborated to develop custom DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging) modules that align with each region’s policies and internal values, allowing leaders to track progress and integrate reflections into supervision meetings.
- Private Childcare Networks: We’ve worked with national and multi-site childcare providers to create branded onboarding courses for new supervisors, educators, and program leads — ensuring every team member is set up for success from the moment they join.
- Independent Childcare Operators: Even smaller programs are leaning into LMS tools with our help — accessing ready-made training libraries or customizing our ECC content into their systems with ease.
๐ก A Moment to Reflect
If you're still relying on external workshops once or twice a year to train your team, ask yourself:
- Are we truly building a culture of learning?
- Do new team members get the training they need when they need it?
- Are we using our training time to reinforce our unique approach and values?
This is your opportunity to shift the way your team learns — and thrives.
Case Studies: How LMS & In-House Learning Are Transforming Early Childhood Programs
If you’re wondering whether investing in an LMS or in-house training system actually makes a difference, the answer is a resounding yes. Here are a few examples of how early childhood programs have already made the shift — and the tangible benefits they’ve seen:
๐Case Study 1: A Municipal Child Care System Builds DEI Competency Across 50+ Sites
A city-run child care network in Western Canada recognized the growing need for equity and inclusion training that was both comprehensive and consistent. Rather than relying on one-time sessions, they developed a 6-part DEI training series housed in their municipal LMS.
Each module was interactive and reflective, covering inclusive environments, anti-bias teaching, and culturally responsive family engagement. Completion was required within 90 days of hire, with annual refreshers built in.
Outcomes:
- 88% of educators reported feeling more confident in handling bias-related situations in the classroom
- Families began to report greater feelings of belonging, particularly those from immigrant and Indigenous communities
- Licensing consultants noted clearer evidence of inclusive practices during visits
๐Case Study 2: Private Preschool Chain Uses In-House Learning to Reduce Turnover
A preschool organization with 20+ locations across Ontario was struggling with high staff turnover, especially among new hires. To address this, they built an internal training portal using an LMS platform (Thinkific) that offered 30-60 minute onboarding modules covering curriculum planning, health & safety, and leadership support systems.
The training included video walkthroughs, self-paced reflection assignments, and supervisor coaching guides.
Outcomes:
- Reduced new staff turnover by 40% within the first year
- Managers reported faster onboarding and less confusion during probationary periods
- Employees said the self-paced format made them feel “set up for success instead of thrown in”
๐Case Study 3: Non-Profit ECE Agency Builds a Community of Learners with Hybrid PD
A non-profit ECE agency in Atlantic Canada wanted to create more consistent and engaging professional development. They launched a hybrid model: a digital PD hub with pre-recorded modules on topics like emotional development, Indigenous perspectives, and positive behavior guidance — paired with monthly virtual reflection circles led by senior educators.
Staff could access the digital content anytime and were encouraged to complete one module per month, then discuss their takeaways in small facilitated groups.
Outcomes:
- 94% of staff completed at least one module within the first three months
- The agency reported stronger cross-location relationships through discussion groups
- Educators began initiating their own mini “learning pods” to support one another
๐Case Study 4: Small Centre Goes Digital and Gains Confidence
A single-location centre in a rural community didn’t have the budget for big-name LMS platforms but knew their educators needed more support. They used a simple Google Workspace setup to house PDFs, recorded webinars, and reflective practice sheets — creating an “in-house training library.”
Educators were encouraged to spend one paid hour per month engaging with a topic of their choice, followed by a brief reflection shared in team meetings.
Outcomes:
- Staff reported feeling more valued and professionally supported
- New educators adapted faster to the centre’s values and routines
- The director used feedback to shape future training content around real team needs
These examples reflect a larger trend: training doesn’t need to be fancy to be effective — it just needs to be intentional. Whether you're a large organization with hundreds of staff or a small program serving one community, building an in-house learning system creates long-term benefits for your team, your families, and the children in your care.
๐ค Let’s Build Your Training Ecosystem
At The Early Childhood Coach, we specialize in co-creating custom training solutions, whether you're just getting started with an LMS or already have a system and want high-impact content. Our goal is simple: to help you build a confident, mission-aligned team through professional development that works.
๐ฉ Ready to chat about bringing a modern training solution into your organization? Email us at info@anishatheecc.com to get started.
Let’s create the kind of learning culture your educators — and children — deserve.
As summer winds down and a new program year approaches, many early childhood educators find themselves making lists, reorganizing materials, labeling bins, and preparing for a new group of students. Don’t get me wrong, all these things are important. They create an environment where children can thrive. But before your students come through the door, it’s worth checking in with yourself. How are you preparing yourself? Remember, it’s a new program year for you too. Yes, preparing the classroom space and materials are important, but you’re just as important to your students’ learning. The relationships we build, the way we respond, and the curiosity we bring shape children’s experience every day. So, let’s invest time in preparing our mindset, intentions and well-being. Reflect Before You Reset: Every new year offers a fresh opportunity to reflect on the previous one. Ask yourself: What brought me the most joy last year? What challenges did I face? What would I like to do differently? Which routines supported children well, and which could be improved? How did I grow as an educator? Reflection isn’t about dwelling on mistakes. It’s about recognizing what you’ve learning and carrying those lessons forward. Small adjustments can still have a big impact. Reconnect with Your “Why” When schedules become busy and paperwork piles up, it’s easy to slip into simply getting through each day. Before the pace picks up, take a moment to reconnect with the reason you chose this profession. This is a grounding exercise and there’s a reason we talk about it often. Perhaps it’s witnessing a child’s excitement when they solve a problem, or it’s supporting families through important milestones, or creating a place where every child feels they belong. Keeping your purpose at the forefront can help guide decisions through the year and provide perspective during more challenging moments. Prepare for Relationships, Not Just Routines The children in your care won’t remember perfectly organized shelves, but they will remember how they felt in your care. The first few weeks are about much more than learning routines. They’re about building trust. So, let’s be intentional. After all, relationships are the foundation of any learning environment. Think about how you will: Welcome families into your program Help children feel safe and connected Create opportunities for every child to experience success Leave Space for Flexibility It’s natural to want to be organized and prepared before the first day. But don’t forget that some of the most meaningful learning experiences happen when we follow children’s curiosity rather than our own agenda. A well-prepared educator is also a flexible educator. Leave room in your plans for unexpected discoveries, spontaneous conversations, and the interests children bring with them. These moments often become the most memorable because you’ve followed the children’s lead. Check In with Yourself The beginning of a new year or having a new group of students often comes with excitement – but it can also bring pressure. As you care for the children, remember to care for yourself. Are you setting realistic expectations? Do you need to have more recovery time the first few weeks of a new routine? What boundaries will help you maintain balance? Reflection on what helps support your personal well-being. Make a list of people you can turn to when you need support, either in the classroom or out of it. Embrace a Learning Mindset Children aren’t the only learners in the classroom. Every new group of students, every family, and every experience is an opportunity for growth professionally. Rather than striving for perfection or the appearance of perfection, make curiosity the priority. A Fresh Start for Everyone The carefully prepared learning environment is important but so is your warmth, your responsiveness, your patience and your willingness to learn alongside the children in your care. This is what truly creates a place where children can thrive. So, before you organize one more bin in the art cabinet or make another label, take a moment to prepare the most important part of your classroom – you. The year ahead won’t be perfect, and it doesn’t need to be. It simply needs an educator who is reflective, present and ready to build meaningful relationships one day, one child, one family at a time. Here’s to a year filled with curiosity, connection, growth and joy – for both the children in your care and for you. We’ll be rooting for you!
As Early Childhood Educators, we enter our classrooms with hearts full of good intentions. We want every child to feel safe, valued, respected, and included. And that matters. Good intentions are often what bring us to this profession. But in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) work, there is an important truth we must embrace: Good intentions do not always lead to positive impact. This does not mean our intentions don't matter. They absolutely do! The research on implicit bias reminds us that even well-intentioned educators can unknowingly make decisions influenced by unconscious assumptions rather than their conscious values. In other words, we can genuinely care about children and families while still unintentionally causing harm (Safir, 2016; Staats, 2015). The goal isn't perfection. The goal is critical reflection. To truly support the children, families, and communities in our care, we must move beyond simply meaning well and intentionally pair our good intentions with reflection, awareness, presence, and action. Understanding Unintentional Harm Most moments of unintentional harm are not rooted in malice. They are often rooted in habit, assumptions, tradition, or simply not knowing what we don't know. Unintentional harm can show up in many ways. Below are three examples educators may encounter in their everyday practice. The definitions are informed by the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion's (CCDI) Glossary of DEIA Terms , an excellent resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of inclusive language and practice.