Professional Development Hub
Training that feels real, useful, and connected to the work.
Practical and reflective professional development for early childhood educators, directors, Head Start teams, childcare programs, and organizations.
Bring RaChe’ to your team for learning experiences that create space to reflect, connect, practice, and leave with useful next steps.
RaChe’ Russell-Van is a Gateways to Opportunity Registry-Approved Trainer, offering practical professional learning for Illinois early childhood educators, leaders, programs, and organizations.
Illinois Registry Professional Development
Gateways Registry-Approved Professional Learning
Looking for professional development that can support your team while also meeting Illinois Registry training needs? RaChe’ Step by Step ECE Consulting offers individually approved Gateways training opportunities for early childhood programs and organizations.
Currently Approved
Purpose First, Activity Second: Intentional Planning in Early Childhood
Shift from choosing activities first to planning with purpose. Participants explore how observations, assessment information, family input, children’s interests, curriculum goals, routines, culture, and developmental needs can guide more intentional planning and meaningful learning experiences.
Participants will:
- See the difference between activity-driven and purpose-driven planning.
- Use observations, assessment information, child interests, family input, and developmental needs to guide planning.
- Practice strengthening an activity with the Intentional Planning Reflection Tool.
Bring Purpose First, Activity Second to Your Team
Now booking early childhood programs, agencies, and organizations for in-person professional learning.
Advance Planning
Planning for Gateways Registry credit?
The 60-day window is RaChe’ Step by Step ECE Consulting’s recommended planning timeline so there is adequate time to finalize training details and complete the required Gateways scheduling process.
Requests made with shorter notice may not allow enough time for the event to be scheduled for Registry credit.
Understanding Registry Approval
What does Gateways Registry-approved training mean?
Gateways-approved trainings have been reviewed through the Gateways to Opportunity Registry training-approval process.
When an approved training event is properly scheduled through the Registry and attendance requirements are completed, eligible participants can receive training credit on their Gateways Professional Development Record.
Booking a training does not by itself guarantee Registry credit. The approved event must also be scheduled through the required Gateways process.
Training in Action
Bring practical professional development to your team.
Now booking virtual and in-person training, team workshops, conference sessions, and customized learning experiences.
Professional development should connect to what educators and leaders are actually experiencing. Sessions are designed to create meaningful reflection while giving participants strategies, language, tools, and next steps they can carry back into their work.
Engaging Team Learning
Practical facilitation that invites educators to participate, reflect, connect ideas to their work, and learn alongside one another.
Learning With Purpose
Sessions connect reflection, data, planning, classroom practice, and program priorities so learning has a clear purpose beyond the training room.
Reflective & Relational
Learning experiences make room for conversation, connection, real examples, and the human side of early childhood work.
Learning Pathways
Professional development organized around the people doing the work.
Trainings can be customized for educators, leaders, family engagement teams, Head Start programs, childcare centers, and community partners.
Educator Practice
Support for teachers and classroom teams strengthening everyday practice.
Leadership & Systems
Support for leaders building stronger systems, communication, and team clarity.
Family & Community
Support for programs strengthening family partnerships and community connection.
Training Formats
Flexible options for programs and organizations.
Training can be structured around your audience, goals, available time, and professional development needs.
Virtual Sessions
Interactive online trainings for educators, directors, teams, and organizations.
In-Person Workshops
On-site professional development for programs, agencies, conferences, and teams.
Conference Sessions
Breakout sessions, workshops, and presentations for early childhood events and professional learning experiences.
Custom Series
Multi-session learning experiences designed around your goals, staff needs, and program priorities.
Custom Training
Need a training created for your team?
Custom trainings can be developed around your program goals, staff needs, conference theme, leadership priorities, family engagement efforts, or grant-funded professional development requirements.
Ready to Learn Together?
Let’s create professional development that supports your people and strengthens your program.
Whether you are planning staff training, preparing for a conference, strengthening leadership practice, or building a customized learning series, we can begin with your goals and identify the next right step together.