Home/Our Work/LEARN: Early Childhood Professional Development/Competencies for Prenatal to Age 5 (P-5) Professionals Online Course

Build Team Competencies

Working with babies, toddlers, and their families takes more than passion—it takes specific knowledge and skills. That’s what Prenatal to Age 5 (P-5) Competencies training is all about.

This flexible, self-paced course is perfect for onboarding new staff or providing continuing education for experienced professionals. Because whether you're just starting out or have years in the field, this training helps strengthen your ability to support young children and their families across different systems.

This course was created by ZERO TO THREE in partnership with First 5 LA, based on what professionals actually need to do their work better—and together. It’s designed to help teams build shared language, improve coordination, and deliver stronger services across sectors.

Who should take this training?

This training is a great fit for:

IECMH clinicians and therapists
Child development specialists
Social workers supporting young children and families
Early childhood educators and program leaders
Home visitors, family support staff, and care coordinators

What will you learn?

The training focuses on eight key areas that are essential for anyone working with children from pregnancy to age 5:

Early childhood development
Family-centered practice
Building strong, respectful relationships
Understanding health risks and protective factors
Cultural and language responsiveness
Leading efforts that meet family needs
Professional ethics and reflective practice
Coordinating and collaborating with other services

What’s included in the training?

The training focuses on eight key areas that are essential for anyone working with children from pregnancy to age 5:

8 self-paced, advanced-level online lessons
Online discussions for reflection and peer feedback
Community-of-practice sessions for deeper support
Optional fieldwork to help apply what you’ve learned

I looked at the baby in my arms and saw that he was looking right at me. He had always been looking at me. I suddenly realized that all the babies I had fed over the years were looking at me and that I had missed those opportunities. I felt so sorry to have missed those moments and vowed to never miss another. Thank you for creating this training that helped me to see this.

Ava, early childhood professional

Register your team from 1-100 with flexible 6- and 12-month licenses. Seats are non transferable. Complete this form to see your custom pricing and get started:

Trainings & Events

We offer professional development opportunities grounded in early brain science, infant and early childhood mental health, and more, delivered through workshops, conferences, virtual events, and group training tailored to elevate the collective expertise of teams.

Content & Resources

ZERO TO THREE provides an extensive library of resources for early childhood professionals across all disciplines, with exclusive content and discounts on books and trainings available to Members, empowering them to elevate their practice.

Professional Development Resources

DC:0–5™ Manual and Training

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ZERO TO THREE Critical Competencies for Infant-Toddler Educators™

The ZERO TO THREE Critical Competencies for Infant-Toddler Educators™ suite of professional development products and services helps educators build the essential knowledge and skills they need, in flexible and user-friendly formats.

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