School Readiness - Institute for Early Learning (IFEL)

CONTACT INFORMATION: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
703-324-3044 TTY 711
12011 Government Center Parkway, Suite 920
Fairfax, VA 22035
Deidre Stewart

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Institute for Early Learning (IFEL) - Family Child Care Business Workshops

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The Institute for Early Learning (IFEL) offers Family Child Care Business Workshops (virtual and in-person) to family child care providers just beginning their businesses as well as established providers looking for more training opportunities. These training hours are creditable toward Fairfax County Home Child Care Permit requirements. Call 703-324-8100, TTY 711 for more information. 

Note: These webinars are open for general enrollment and all child care professionals are eligible to attend the following webinars.

April 2026

Turn the most challenging parts of your day into opportunities for learning and connection with strategies to stop the mid-transition meltdowns and circle time wiggles with research-backed strategies designed for even your most spirited toddlers.

CDA Area: 2
Instructor(s): ITC
Date: Wednesday, 4/29
Time: 1 – 2:30 p.m. 

Register Here!

Your marketing efforts will be more successful and lower-cost if you carefully target your customers. This is about who you want to find your business - then figure out how to reach those specific families. Some of the ways you might target include: -By industry. Would you prefer tech workers, teachers, medical professionals? -By time of day. Do you want super-early drop-off, later drop-off, or would you consider nights? -Essential workers. They may require some flexibility you can provide. -How about Partnerships/relationships? Who do you know who will refer families to you? -There are so many examples! In this class, you will learn how to define your market. This makes it easier to create your marketing plan and spend only on the people you want to reach.

CDA Area: 5
Instructor(s): Women’s Business Center
Date: Wednesday, 4/29
Time: 7 – 9 p.m. 

Invitation will be sent by email.

May 2026

Do you have a business budget that will help you manage your cashflow? How do you plan for future expenses? How do you set your prices? When should you raise your rates? Should you separate your business and personal finances? Bring all of your money questions to this webinar for answers.

CDA Area: 5
Instructor(s): Women’s Business Center
Date: Tuesday, 5/5
Time: 7 – 9 p.m. 

Invitation will be sent by email.

This webinar will discuss characteristics of Autism and early signs that caregivers may notice in very young children.  Participants will learn strategies for supporting children with characteristics of Autism in the childcare environment as well as strategies for understanding and supporting children with challenging behaviors. Participants will also hear about ways to bring up differences they notice in a child’s development with families.

CDA Area: 5
Instructor(s): Infant Toddler Connect
Date: Tuesday, 5/12
Time: 1 – 2:30 p.m. 

Register Here!

Mandatory training prior to starting the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), to be repeated once per contract year. This course is offered by invitation only. This one-hour course will cover the purpose of the CACFP and explore record keeping requirements. It will review meal requirements for infants and children, as well as what to expect from your monitoring visits. Participants will also understand the civil rights requirements for family day home participation in the CACFP.

CDA Area: 5
Instructor(s): Heather Gutierrez
Date: Wednesday, 5/20
Time: 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Invitation will be sent by email.

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