Professional Development

Professional Development for early care and education practitioners in Illinois is the primary focus of Gateways to Opportunity. We support your professional development through a variety of programs and areas.

Gateways Job Board

Search for early care and education, school-age, youth development and family support job opportunities in your area or if you are an employer, you can post your open positions here. Open positions are added frequently, so check back often.
Higher Education Programs

Information about colleges and universities that offer course work in ECE or child development. Find out how to become an Entitled Institution and offer Gateways Credentials to your students.
Professional Development Advisor (PDA) Program

Free advising service for ECE and School-Age professionals. Directors, you can request advising for your whole staff with our Center Advising option.
Professional Development Advisory Council (PDAC)

Statewide committee of key stakeholders from a wide variety of child related industries who work to advance the field of early care and education, school-age, youth development and family support.
Early Childhood Competency-Based Preparation Pathway

pdf Strategic Plan 2018-2022 (3.02 MB)
pdf Operational Plan 2018-2022 (1.87 MB)

List of articles in category Professional Development
Title	Author	Hits
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Documents	Written by Brooke Ulrey	Hits: 737
Prior Learning Assessment	Written by Brooke Ulrey	Hits: 5580
Faculty Resources	Written by Brooke Ulrey	Hits: 3029
Faculty Resource Videos for ECE and Infant Toddler	Written by Brooke Ulrey	Hits: 6372
License-Exempt Non-Relative CCAP Providers	Written by Lanette Woodard	Hits: 237270
Professional Development Advisor Program	Written by Administrator	Hits: 1171

Subcategories

Gateways Job Board

Search for JobSearch for your next job by location or job title.
Post a JobPost an available job for your organization or center.

Higher Education Programs

Higher Education Directory - A directory of accredited colleges and universities in Illinois who offer coursework in Early Care and Education, Child Development, Human Growth & Development and other areas of study related to caring for and educating children.

Becoming an Entitled Institution - Information for Higher Education Institutions who want to know more about becoming entitled to offer Gateways Credentials. Faculty can examine Credential Content Areas, the Frameworks that Credentials are built upon, and how to align coursework to meet Credential requirements.

Toolboxes

Entitled Institution Maps

PDA

What is a Professional Development Advisor?

A Professional Development Advisor (PDA) is an experienced professional who will assist you with planning and achieving your career goals. A PDA will guide you through developing a Professional Development Plan and share information about colleges and universities in your area that offer coursework in early childhood, as well as help you decide which credential or certification would be best for you.

Request an Advisor

Individual Advisement

If you are an individual who would like to request a PDA, complete this quick survey. We will help you get your career moving forward.

Si eres una persona que desea solicitar un PDA, solamente complete esta breve encuesta. Le ayuderamos a que avance en su carrera.

Center-Based Advisement

If you are the administrator of an early care and education program, complete this quick survey to request a PDA to work with you and your staff.

Si es el administrador de un centro con programa de educación y cuidado infantil, y desea solicitar un PDA para trabajar con usted y su personal, complete esta breve encuesta.

If you have specific questions about your application for a Gateways to Opportunity program, please contact us via email to connect with a Program Specialist about your application status.

PDAC

PDAC is a group of key stakeholders from a wide variety of child related industries who work to advance the field of early care and education, school-age, youth development and family support.