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Current  Courses

Browse all of The Gro Academy’s upcoming training opportunities! From Foundational Courses to specialty workshops, you’ll find engaging, expert-led options designed to fit your schedule.

👉 Click on any course to view details and register.
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Let’s get you certified, confident, and classroom-ready!
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To learn more about our Custom Workshops, see below or click here:

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Wisconsin CCFT registration has moved to PDS Online.

Before registering for a Gro Academy course, please make sure your PDS account is ready:

✅ Create your PDS Online account (New Account Setup button below)


✅ Use the same email connected to your Registry account, if you have one


✅ Select “Early Care & Education Professional” in your learner profile


✅ Allow 3–4 hours for your profile to update before searching or registering for trainings

Once your PDS profile is ready, click the course you want below and you’ll be taken directly to its registration page.

Need help? Download our step-by-step PDS registration guide.

Planning to Enroll in More Than One Course?

Our CCFT course schedule is designed so you can complete more than one training within the same time frame.

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Introduction to the Childcare Profession - Blended
08/12/26
Textured Chocolate Squares
Instructor

Sherry Picha

Course Dates/Times

  • 08/12/26 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM

  • 08/24/26 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

  • 08/25/26 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

  • 08/26/26 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Course Description
Revised in 2024, this Child Care Foundational Training provides foundational knowledge and skills training for individuals as they begin, or consider, a career in caring for children. Content includes exploring a variety of early care and education settings, including group and family child care. Learners explore rules and regulations governing group and family child care and the responsibilities of early care and education professionals. Practices and strategies will be explored to reflect the diverse needs of children and families in Wisconsin.

This course fulfills introductory noncredit course requirements as specified in the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Chapters 202, 250, and 251 for Family and Group Child Care in Wisconsin's Administrative Code.
Areas of Interest

DCF - Introduction to the Childcare Profession
DCF - SIDS Training
DCF - Child Abuse and Neglect
DCF - Abusive Head Trauma
DCF - Qualifying Course

Register
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Skills and Strategies for the Childcare Teacher - Blended
09/14/26
Textured Chocolate Squares
Instructor

Arielle Brandt

Course Dates/Times

  • 09/14/26 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

  • 09/15/26 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

  • 09/16/26 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

  • 09/17/26 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Course Description
Revised in 2024, this Child Care Foundational Training will prepare individuals to be successful in the role of a lead child care teacher in a child care setting. This will be accomplished by thoroughly examining the subjects of curriculum planning and activity selection in a developmentally appropriate early childhood environment. Additional topics to be covered include exploring strategies to involve parents and the role of observation in a developmentally appropriate program. Child guidance and professionalism are also further developed.
Areas of Interest

DCF - Skills and Strategies for the Child Care Teacher
DCF - Qualifying Course

Register
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Introduction to the Childcare Profession - Blended
08/26/26
Textured Chocolate Squares
Instructor

Sherry Picha

Course Dates/Times

  • 08/26/26 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM

  • 09/08/26 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

  • 09/09/26 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

  • 09/10/26 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Course Description
Revised in 2024, this Child Care Foundational Training provides foundational knowledge and skills training for individuals as they begin, or consider, a career in caring for children. Content includes exploring a variety of early care and education settings, including group and family child care. Learners explore rules and regulations governing group and family child care and the responsibilities of early care and education professionals. Practices and strategies will be explored to reflect the diverse needs of children and families in Wisconsin.

This course fulfills introductory noncredit course requirements as specified in the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Chapters 202, 250, and 251 for Family and Group Child Care in Wisconsin's Administrative Code.
Areas of Interest

DCF - Introduction to the Childcare Profession
DCF - SIDS Training
DCF - Child Abuse and Neglect
DCF - Abusive Head Trauma
DCF - Qualifying Course

Register
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Skills and Strategies for the Childcare Teacher - Blended
10/05/26
Textured Chocolate Squares
Instructor

Arielle Brandt

Course Dates/Times

  • 10/05/26 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

  • 10/06/26 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

  • 10/07/26 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

  • 10/08/26 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Course Description
Revised in 2024, this Child Care Foundational Training will prepare individuals to be successful in the role of a lead child care teacher in a child care setting. This will be accomplished by thoroughly examining the subjects of curriculum planning and activity selection in a developmentally appropriate early childhood environment. Additional topics to be covered include exploring strategies to involve parents and the role of observation in a developmentally appropriate program. Child guidance and professionalism are also further developed.
Areas of Interest

DCF - Skills and Strategies for the Child Care Teacher
DCF - Qualifying Course

Register

After registering for a class, read through this presentation to learn how to register and access individual modules.

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Handcrafted Bloom Sessions

At The Gro Academy, we bring handcrafted workshops directly to your center, helping educators grow and bloom together where learning happens every day. Designed to support your program's unique goals, these interactive sessions provide practical strategies, meaningful reflection, and ready-to-use resources.

🌱 Intentional teaching practices
💞 Co-regulation and social-emotional support
🎨 Make-and-take tools for immediate classroom use

Educators leave with fresh ideas, practical resources, and renewed confidence to cultivate responsive, nurturing learning environments. Many sessions are also available virtually for added flexibility.

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Blooms & Breezes Workshop

Understanding Co-Regulation in Early Childhood Education

Blooms & Breezes is a hands-on workshop that helps early childhood educators shift from expecting children to “self-regulate” to understanding the true power of co-regulation. Learn how to support children’s big emotions through responsive, caring relationships and practical classroom strategies.

Educators leave this workshop with:
✅ A clear understanding of co-regulation and why it matters
✅ Practical techniques to build supportive classroom environments
✅ Make-and-take resources to encourage co-regulation right away

When children feel seen and supported, they don’t just manage emotions—they bloom and thrive.

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Foundational Trainings Approved by the Department of Children and Families

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