Coaching is a learning process based on a collaborative relationship that is intentionally designed to promote sustainable growth in the necessary attitudes, skills, and knowledge to effectively implement the best practices for the development of young children and their families. - Colorado Coaching Consortium, October, 2008.

In early childhood education settings, coaching can be a critical link in effective professional development, helping teachers, administrators, and other early childhood service providers translate new learning into practice. This chart shows the potential impact of coaching on transfer of training.

^{1Joyce, B. & Showers, B. STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH STAFF DEVELOPMENT. New York: Longman, 1988}

Individual coaching with early childhood teachers, family service workers, and administrators may focus on developing competencies such as:

• Understanding child development
• Using observation to identify learning goals for children
• Engaging families in children's education
• Curriculum planning
• Setting up the learning environment
• Classroom management
• Developing curriculum home links
• Teambuilding
• Effective teacher-child interactions
• Promoting health and safety practices

In addition, coaches can support programs in adapting continuous improvement processes to achieve and sustain high quality services. This might include coaching on topics such as:

• Visioning and goal-setting
• Project management
• Reflective supervision
• Data-driven planning
• Professional development planning for staff

Whether working on individual learning goals or program quality goals, the coach's role is to build capacity to develop action plans, experiment with new skills and strategies, reflect on results, and make course corrections based on what is learned.

The Clayton Early Learning Institute provides coaching services through a variety of Early Childhood Coaching Initiatives. For more information on coaching services, please contact Geri Mendoza at gmendoza@claytonearlylearning.org. Find out what you can expect when working with a coach (link to What to Expect from a Coach)

The Clayton Institute is also a member of the Colorado Coaching Consortium, which has developed a set of standard early childhood coaching competencies to inform professional development for coaches. These competencies are currently under review by coaching agencies and individuals around the state. To view them and send comments, click on this link: (coaching competencies)