In the early childhood development field, the impact of continuous professional development (CPD) on the quality of teaching and learning is essential. Educators who engage in high-quality CPD programs consistently report feeling more competent and prepared to meet the challenges of their profession. However, the backbone of such impactful CPD programs—the educators who train the trainers—are often neglected in research and practice.

Recognizing the pivotal role of CPD educators in shaping the educational landscape, ISSA Members, the Educational Research Institute, and Open Academy Step by Step began a project alongside the ISSA Secretariat. The project, Principles of Quality in Education of Teachers (PIQET) aims to change the way CPD educators are perceived, developed, and supported.

The core objective of PIQET is to strengthen the organizational capacities of its partner entities. This will directly contribute to the improved selection, recruitment, and development of professional development educators. By investing in the trainers, PIQET aspires to create a ripple effect, elevating the quality of CPD across the board and, consequently, enriching the learning experiences of students.

A recent meeting hosted in Zagreb, Croatia brought partners together to discuss the trajectory of PIQET and the anticipated outcomes of the project.

The upcoming analysis, Existing Practices of Recruitment and Professional Development of Continuous Professional Development, will be the first project output. The document will provide a comprehensive view of the CPD landscape for CPD Educators, pinpointing challenges and proposing actionable solutions.  

Stay tuned for more updates and visit the PIQET webpage to learn more.