Monthly Training/Professional Development

Session
Details

Training Description

Saturday
July 11, 2026

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 

$20
4 State Approved Hrs.

***This training meets the Language & Literacy requirement per BFTS

Language and Literacy Rich Environments for Preschool Classrooms
Come join us to learn more about how to create a language and lliteracy rich environment through fun activities and make and take ideas. Teachers will walk away with items they have created and can use in their classrooms right away!

Dianne Fitchlee
BFTS Approved Trainer

Albany State University-West, 2400 Gillionville Road
C 252, Albany, GA 31707

Register Here

Tuesday
July 14, 2026

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

$10
2 State Approved Hrs.

Creating an Effective Circle Time
This training will assist teachers in planning, developing and implementing an effective circle time that engages children socially to learn new concepts and practice language.

Polly Raike
BFTS Approved Trainer

Register Here

Saturday
July 18, 2026

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

$30
6 State Approved Hrs.

Super Saturday July!

Creative Arts and Crafts at
Home and Around the Globe
This training will, through research and development from various countries bring an exciting adventure to the world of Arts and Crafts. Through the implementation of educational techniques, each participant will share their Arts and Crafts projects representing the cultural environment of their classroom.

Arts and Crafts for Children with Special Needs
Join us for an opportunity to explore, plan, and create arts and crafts projects that are inclusive and the "how to" in adapting arts and crafts projects for children with special needs.

Sandra Jackson
BFTS Approved Trainer

The Lazy Frog, 300 West Clinton St. , Suite E
Gray, GA 31032

Register Here

Thursday
July 23, 2026

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

$10
2 State Approved Hrs.

***This training meets the Language & Literacy requirement per BFTS

Creating A Literacy-Rich Environment for
Infants and Toddlers
A Literacy-Rich Environment in early childhood education lays a foundation that supports language development, emergent literacy, writing skills, and reading. This training helps providers and educators create an inclusive Literacy-Rich Environment for Infants and Toddlers, including special needs and dual language learners. Participants will design and execute translanguaging activities to integrate into their Literacy-Rich environment.

Sandra Jackson
BFTS Approved Trainer

Register Here

Saturday
July 25, 2026

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 

$25
3 State Approved Hrs. 

Fire Safety
This course meets the requirements mandated by the Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s office.

Sandra Jackson
BFTS Approved Trainer

Register Here

Session
Details

Training Description

Tuesday
August 4, 2026

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

$10
2 State Approved Hrs.

Indoor Large Motor Play for the Classroom
Good gross motor skills are essential because the body develops from large moments such as control of the arms and the legs to small, isolated movements that include the hands and fingers.

Polly Raike
BFTS Approved Trainer

Register Here

Thursday
August 13, 2026

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

$15
2 State Approved Hrs.

Dinner served at 6:00

Dinner & a Training
Driving the Energy Bus:
Creating a positive culture in your ECE program
Get on the Bus! This training, inspired by the book The Energy Bus, by Jon Gordon, will explore how attitudes, mindsets, and daily interactions directly impact staff morale, team cohesion, and ultimately, outcomes for children and families. Attendees will leave equipped to "drive their own bus" with purpose, creating an environment where educators feel inspired, supported, and committed to excellence in early childhood education.

Alicia Mills & Dianne Fitchlee
BFTS Approved Trainers

Event Center, Albany State University-West
2400 Gillionville Road, Albany, GA 31707

Register Here

Saturday
August 15, 2026

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 

$60
3 State Approved Hrs. 

CPR/First Aid
American Heart Association

Learn how to recognize and alleviate airway obstructions and the signs, symptoms, and corrective action for a stroke or heart attack. Also, learn to recognize and treat minor medical emergencies.

Judy Gaines
Certified Instructor

Albany State University-West, 2400 Gillionville Road
Albany, GA 31707 J128

Register Here

Thursday
August 20, 2026

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

$10
2 State Approved Hrs.

Speaking Out for Those Who Can't
This training is about identifying and preventing child abuse. It teaches the participants how to recognize, prevent, and report Child Abuse. Remember YOU are a Mandated Reporter.

Sandra Jackson
BFTS Approved Trainer   

Register Here

Saturday
August 22, 2026

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 

$20
4 State Approved Hrs.

***This training meets the Language & Literacy requirement per BFTS

Language and Literacy Rich Environments for
Preschool Classrooms
Come join us to learn more about how to create a language and lliteracy rich environment through fun activities and make and take ideas. Teachers will walk away with items they have created and can use in their classrooms right away! 

Alicia Mills & Dianne Fitchlee
BFTS Approved Trainers

Bright Futures of Columbus,1342 17^th St.
Columbus, GA 31901

Register Here

Saturday
August 22, 2026

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

$30
6 State Approved Hrs.

July Super Saturday!

Teamwork with A Purpose
The purpose of this training on Teamwork with A Purpose, is to facilitate better communication; andto emphasizethe importance of working together. The participants will offer ideas, concerns, and share various kinds of input. They will utilize the shared data to form the activities. They will be working together as a team to reach a common goal to create a successful outcome.

Creating A Literacy-Rich Environment for Preschool/Pre-K
A Literacy-Rich Environment in early childhood education lays a foundation that supports language development, emergent literacy, writing skills, and reading. This training helps providers and educators create an inclusive Literacy-Rich Environment for Preschool and Pre-K, including special needs and dual language learners. Participants will design and execute translanguaging activities to integrate into their Literacy-Rich environment.

Sandra Jackson
BFTS Approved Trainer

Brantley’s Busy Bee Learning Center, 4628 Bloomfield Rd
Macon, GA 31206

Register Here

Tuesday
September 8, 2026

6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

$10
2 State Approved Hrs.

Can I Play?
Looking at Children's Development
through Play
Join us to learn how to develop children's social, emotional, and physical skills through play and why they are so important.

Polly Raike
BFTS Approved Trainer   

Register Here

Thursday
September 17, 2026

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

$10
2 State Approved Hrs.

Impact of Home Language on
English Development
This training demonstrates the importance of supporting and understanding the Dual Language Learner (DLL) and the impact of Home Language within ECE programs. It provides an awareness of cultural affairs, customs, and Home, trust, and strengthening for the families and the ECE programs. 

Sandra Jackson
BFTS Approved Trainer

Register Here

Saturday
September 19, 2026

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

$30
6 State Approved Hrs.

Tifton Super Saturday!

Self-Created Activities
This program will provide Early Care providers with a self-created book of diverse, age- and developmentally-appropriate activities. These activities will be suitable for implementation in their classroom and outdoors at any time, especially during a crisis such as outbreaks of diseases like Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease, Measles, RSV, etc. By having this book available, providers will have activities ready and accessibleat anytime, including if a crisis occurs.

Ethical Behavior in Early Childhood Education
This course provides a foundation for ethics and gives an overview of the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct. This course will prompt providers to take a closer look at both their
work and professional behavior.

Sandra Jackson
BFTS Approved Trainer

Maggie Campbell’s Gingerbread House Learning Center
719 South Ridge Ave, Tifton, GA 31794

Register Here 

Saturday
September 19, 2026

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

$30
6 State Approved Hrs.

F.L.I.P. IT!
F-feelings, L-limits, I-inquiries, & P-prompts! Join us in gaining practical insight into implementing the FLIP IT strategies, empowering staff to effectively handle challenging behaviors and foster a positive learning environment for all. 

Diane Fitchlee & Alicia Mills
BFTS Approved Trainer

Bright Futures of Columbus, 1342 17^th St.
Columbus, GA 31901

Register Here