Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre
Inspiring & Promoting Excellence in Child Care & Early Learning
Workshops & Training
Professional Development for Certified Early Childhood Educators
Westcoast courses and workshops support the implementation of the BC Early Learning Framework, Schedule G of the BC Child Care Licensing Regulation and the Early Childhood Educators of BC Code of Ethics.
Registration for courses and workshops will be available here. For Child Care First Aid courses, register through The Vital Link.
Westcoast is a member of The Hub for BC Early Years Professionals. 
Check out training with our Partners at ECEBC
Featured Workshop
Join us for the first session in the 'Alarm' series which will be facilitated by Michele Maurer, a parent of two young adults, married for 25 years, and working with children, youth and families for 30+ years in the counselling field. Michele works in private practice as a parent consultant and couples’ therapist, and as a member of faculty with the Neufeld Institute. Michele is a regular presenter and facilitator of workshops about attachment, child development, emotion, and play.
In the first session, An Introduction to Understanding 'Alarm' in Children, Michele will introduces the series' core framework: the alarm system as the common root behind many seemingly unrelated behaviours and symptoms. It explains how alarm is often triggered by separation (through the lens of attachment) and why feeling-and-linking alarm is essential for healthy resolution (caution, sadness/adaptation, and courage). Insights are relevant to people of all ages.
Important Links:
Before registering view the links below to find important information on workshop policies, FAQs and workshop basics.
Upcoming Workshops
Sign in or create a WCCRC account to register for our courses, workshops, access your certificates and receipts.
Why Childhood Alarm-Based Concerns Are On The Rise & A Path To Recovery (4810-8100)
Michele Maurer
Online Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Online
Although participants are not required to register for all four sessions, the series is designed for and most beneficial when taken as a whole.
During this event we will focus on why ‘alarm’-based struggles are rising, pointing to three major drivers: increased separation (including premature separation), increased peer orientation, and increased “alpha” (control) dynamics. It also explains how stress blocks feeling recovery—and why safe adult attachments and “emotional playgrounds” (play/arts/music) are key sanctuaries for feelings to return.
Webinar - Growing the Child's Brain (4810-8100)
Gary Anaka
Online Saturday, November 28, 2026, from 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Location: Online
Is it possible to grow the brains of Preschool aged children? Definitely yes! With the right conditions and appropriate support, the brain can grow to its fullest potential, setting the path for lifelong learning. This event will demonstrate how to do this in a fun and interactive way.
View Workshop DetailsAccessible & Natural Interventions For Alarmed Children (4810-8100)
Michele Maurer
Online Wednesday, December 9, 2026, from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Online
Although participants are not required to register for all four sessions, the series is designed for and most beneficial when taken as a whole.
This workshop offers practical guidance for adults (normalize alarm, come alongside) and emphasizes everyday attachment practices—collecting, matchmaking, and bridging—as powerful ways to help children feel safe. Interventions support all ages, though examples will focus on care of young children.
Administration & Management for Child Care Course
The online Administration & Management for Child Care (AMCC) course provides a comprehensive overview of all aspects of leadership development.
Our 40-hour Instructor-Guided online course is delivered and guided by expert instructors with years of experience in child care and has been specially designed to support and strengthen innovative practices in leadership.
We also offer a 12-hour Self-Guided version with unlimited spaces available. You can study any time and at your own pace. Learn more about both courses and how to register on our AMCC page.
To support the course, we have also created the AMCC Knowledge Base, a comprehensive online information database for ECE leaders with detailed guidance on all areas of child care leadership.
Questions about the courses? Email us at AMCC@westcoastfamily.org.
Customized Professional Development Services
Workshops & Training Created Specifically For Your Organisation
In addition to our regular workshops and courses, Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre offers professional development training and workshops customized to your particular requirements on a wide range of topics for:
- Parents
- Early Learning and Child Care Professionals
- Others working with young children and their families
Fill out the Customized Pro-D Inquiry Form and we will get back to you about whether we can meet your specific requirements at this time and give you a quote. After, you can decide if you like to move forward with planning your training event.
Fees for online customized professional development are inclusive of facilitator fee, hosting, registration, certificates, technical support, secure Zoom access for online training, and additional learning resources, if applicable.
Are you a facilitator offering training in Early Learning and Child Care?
We welcome proposals to deliver professional development training on a wide range of topics related to early childhood education and care, for people working with children from 0-12 years of age, including:
- Early Learning and Child Care Professionals
- School Age Child Care Workers
- Others working with young children and their families
To submit your proposal, fill out the facilitator workshop proposal form below, or contact Natasa Guzina at natasa.guzina@westcoastfamily.org if you have any questions.
In a Typical Year WCCRC
provides 1450 ECD Educators
professional development through exemplery & creative workshops
offers 24 workshops
on Choosing Child Care for new parents in the community
carries nearly 12000 items
in the Westcoast Library to lend to those caring for young children