Professional Development Academy

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NAFCC Virtual Observer Training

Ready to make a bigger impact in early childhood education? This could be your next step.

The Virtual Observer Training is a great opportunity for accredited family child care educators, and for anyone who is passionate about early childhood education and wants to help shape the field. Whether you're looking to grow your career or find a new way to give back, this training opens the door to becoming a NAFCC Accreditation Observer.

Over five sessions, done fully online, you'll build real, valuable skills: how to review family child care programs using NAFCC's Quality Standards, how to write clear and fair observation notes, and how to bring a culturally responsive, respectful lens to your work. You'll practice alongside others and get hands-on guidance every step of the way.

This training does two important things. It gives you a real career pathway as an Observer. And it helps build a strong, trusted team of observers in your state so more educators and programs can move forward on their accreditation journey.

Program Timeline

  • September 12: Session 1 — Live Kickoff
  • September 17: Session 2 due (complete on your own) 
  • September 19: Session 3 — Live
  • September 24: Session 4 due (complete on your own) 
  • September 26: Session 5 — Live + Final Exam (proctored)

What You Need to Enroll

  • Be a current NAFCC member
  • Pay a $125 training fee (covers shipping your materials to you)
  • Submit an updated resume — this will be reviewed and approved by NAFCC before your seat is confirmed
  • Have 5+ years of experience in family child care (CDA required, at minimum)
  • Agree that completing the training does not automatically make you an Observer
  • Agree that you must score 80% or higher on two exams to be considered for the Observer role

A Few Extra Steps to Become an Observer

  • If you are an FCC educator, you must be accredited to serve as an observer
  • You must keep your NAFCC membership active
  • Attend all sessions
  • Complete and submit all assignments

Completing the training doesn't guarantee a position — but every eligible NAFCC member who meets the requirements will be considered for the NAFCC Observer Network. We're excited to welcome a new group of dedicated professionals ready to strengthen quality care in their communities.

Register here

  • Virtual Observer Training - Module 1: Live Kickoff
    Contains 2 Component(s) Includes a Live Web Event on 09/12/2026 at 8:50 AM (EDT)

    Live Kickoff Event

    Let's start strong together! This facilitated Zoom session to align on the goals and objectives of Virtual Observer Training, set shared group agreements, and norm our learning expectations. We'll also make sure everyone's tech is troubleshot and ready to go before diving in.

    Andrea Maldonado

    Andrea Maldonado (Moderator)

    NAFCC, Director of Quality Assessment and Recognition

    NAFCC

    Andrea Maldonado, the Director of Quality Assurance and Accreditation. Andrea brings 13 years of valuable experience in family child care and early childhood education to our organization.
    Throughout her career, Andrea has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to professional development and the recognition of family and child care educators and played a key role in raising the high standards for family and child care providers. In her last role, Andrea was instrumental in bringing the NYC Department of Education’s 3-K to family child care networks and FCC programs.

    Andrea brings a wealth of experience in program development, workforce development, and leadership coaching. As the Director of Quality Assessment and Recognition, Andrea is well equipped to advocate for family child care educators and ensure they receive appropriate recognition for their important role in the child care system.

    _________________________________________________________________________

    Andrea Maldonado, Directora de Garantía de Calidad y Acreditación. Andrea aporta 13 años de valiosa experiencia en el cuidado infantil familiar y la educación infantil a nuestra organización.

    A lo largo de su carrera, Andrea ha demostrado un compromiso inquebrantable con el desarrollo profesional y el reconocimiento de los educadores de cuidado infantil y ha desempeñado un papel clave en la elevación de los altos estándares para los proveedores de cuidado infantil familiar. En su último cargo, Andrea fue fundamental en la incorporación del programa 3-K del Departamento de Educación de la Ciudad de Nueva York a las redes de cuidado infantil familiar y a los programas de FCC.

    Andrea aporta una gran experiencia en el desarrollo de programas, desarrollo de la fuerza laboral y coaching de liderazgo. Como Directora de Evaluación y Reconocimiento de Calidad, Andrea está bien equipada para abogar por los educadores de cuidado infantil familiar y garantizar que reciban el reconocimiento adecuado por su importante papel en el sistema de cuidado infantil.

    Annette Eberhart

    Annette Eberhart (Moderator)

    NAFCC Facilitator, Observer and Quality Ambassador Training

    Annette Eberhart is an early childhoodleader, advocate, author, speaker, and national presenter with more than 19years of experience in family child care. She is the Owner and Director ofKidd's R Us Family Childcare, a nationally accredited and Gold Seal-approvedprogram in Florida. Annette currently serves as Chair of the NAFCCAccreditation Council, National Master Observer Trainer, and National Observerfor the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC). She also serves onthe Board of Directors for the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough Countyand is a gubernatorial appointee to the Florida Interagency CoordinatingCouncil for Infants and Toddlers (FICCIT). In addition, she serves asProfessional Development Coordinator for the Florida Family Child Care HomeAssociation (FFCCHA).

    An advocate for children, families, andeducators, Annette has spent more than a decade engaging in policy and advocacyinitiatives to elevate the family child care profession. Through herleadership, she empowers educators to lead with purpose, prioritize wellness,build resilience, and inspire positive change.

  • Virtual Observer Training - Module 2: Building Your Foundation
    Contains 1 Component(s)

    Self Paced Module

  • Virtual Observer Training - Module 3: Exploring Quality
    Contains 2 Component(s) Includes a Live Web Event on 09/19/2026 at 8:50 AM (EDT)

    Live Session 2

    Dig into what "quality" really means in family child care. We'll explore the concept through a "What Is Quality" discussion, wrapping up with key takeaways to carry into the next session.

  • Virtual Observer Training - Module 4: Applying The Standards
    Contains 1 Component(s)

    Self Paced

    Put quality into practice. Building on the previous session's wrap-up, we'll explore "Many Right Ways" how educators meet the same standards through different, equally valid approaches, and why standards are written the way they are. The session closes with preparation for the video exam, including Practice Video 1.

  • Virtual Observer Training - Module 5: Proctored Exam & Celebration
    Contains 2 Component(s)

    Exam

    This is it! After a brief intro, we'll review Practice Videos 2 and 3 and get facilitator-supported exam prep before sitting for the proctored Video Exam and Written Exam (80% required to pass) then celebrate becoming a certified Observer.