Frequently Asked Questions

In 2021-22, Learn & Grow explored a new cohort model and it was very successful for programs in their Learn & Grow level advancements. The cohort model is being rolled out to all programs in Fall 2022.

The Learn & Grow Cohort model improves program support by offering a more engaging and dynamic way to advance program quality. The cohort model gives early childhood administrators a way to connect and collaborate with other early childhood professionals while getting the information and direct support needed to achieve the next quality level. When a cohort is complete, participating programs continue to receive direct support from a thread Specialist to complete the quality activities required for next level verification. In addition to peer-to-peer learning, other benefits include classroom and administrative technical assistance and coaching, training hours for program administrators, access to threadTools, and more.

Learn & Grow runs four working on Level 1 cohorts per year for newly enrolling programs.

• August 9th & 10^th from 6:30-8pm
• October 24^th & 25^th from 1-2:30pm
• January 23^rd & 24^th from 6:30-8pm
• April 3^rd & 4^th from 1-2:30pm

To enroll in a cohort or for questions about cohorts, e-mail info@aklearnandgrow.org. A thread Specialist will respond to confirm enrollment.

Already participating programs will be invited to join a cohort, when available, by a thread specialist.

New to Learn & Grow?

Yes, starting in Fall 2022, all newly enrolled programs begin their Learn & Grow journey in a cohort and do not have the option to work independently outside of the Learn & Grow cohort model.

Already participating in Learn & Grow?

No, program administrators have the option to continue working independently in 2022-23. Those who choose to work independently outside of the cohort model will receive a limited level of support from thread Specialists.

These supports include:

• Administrative support for annual renewals
• Administrative support for next level verification
• Limited classroom support may be available if requested
• Access to thread services (training, coaching, thread Tools, etc.)

In April 2020, Learn & Grow announced the completion of the Level 1-5 framework. The completed framework includes fixed quality activities associated with Levels 1-5, a points menu for Levels 3-5 activities, thread Tools resources, and other supports to assist childhood education (ECE) program’s planning and advancement in quality. Watch this short video to learn more about Learn & Grow’s Level 1-5 framework and supports.

To help your ECE program progress in Learn & Grow, the following resources and supports are available:

• Cohorts for Program Administrators for peer-to-peer learning
• Technical assistance and coaching from thread
• thread Tools – an online library of templates and information for program management
• Financial and marketing supports

A new online portal for programs to access Learn & Grow information and manage participation is scheduled to roll out in 2022-23.

No, there is no cost to sign up for Learn & Grow. Programs voluntarily choose to participate.

thread offers Learn & Grow training.  There is no cost for programs for Level 2, 3, or 4 trainings offered by thread.  Other online training or university courses may have fees associated with them.  These professional development trainings may be reimbursed by Alaska SEED.

Yes, Learn & Grow trainings are Alaska SEED approved and meet Alaska SEED Training Approval system requirements.

If an ECE program moves location and doesn’t change program type (e.g. home to group home, or group home to center), the program’s Learn & Grow Recognition is still valid at the new licensed location of their program.

There are four Learn & Grow quality domain areas within each of the five (5) levels of Learn & Grow. There are specific requirements related to quality in each. Click here to find out more about each Quality Domain.

Programs have 120 business days to complete and become a verified Level 1 program.

No, ECE programs must first achieve the previous level requirements before they can enroll in the next level.

Each ECE program is different. Learn & Grow supports are designed to meet the individual needs of each ECE program. ECE programs set their own pace and identify what is feasible and achievable for their program to complete.

No, ECE programs that accept State, or Tribal Child Care Assistance, or receive funding from the Alaska Child Care Grant (CCG), are not required to participate in Learn & Grow.

Yes, Learn & Grow programs are posted here on the Learn & Grow website and in thread’s online child care search tool for parents. Learn & Grow programs are identified to help parents in their selection of a quality program.

Level 1 and Level 2 are renewed annually. Level 3-5 are renewed every other year.

• Level 1: There is one required training for leadership team members and lead teachers: Learn & Grow 101.
• Level 2: There are six required trainings for leadership and lead teachers: Strengthening Families, Pyramid Foundations, Introduction to Alaska Early Childhood Core Knowledge and Competencies, Alaska Early Learning Guidelines, and Introduction to ERS or CLASS training. Administrators must also complete the Alaska Early Childhood Administrator Credential (Level 2 trainings + training in fiscal and human resource management).
• Level 3: There are eight training topics for leadership team members and lead teachers.
• Level 4: There are five training topics. See the Quality Activities for more details.

The Moving into Higher Quality Training is the training associated with Level 2 for lead teachers and leadership team. This training includes: Strengthening Families, Pyramid Foundations, Introduction to Alaska Early Childhood Core Knowledge and Competencies, Alaska Early Learning Guidelines, and Introduction to ERS or CLASS training.

Staff identified by a program as the primary caregiver in each classroom is equivalent to the lead teacher. This may or may not be a program’s Child Development Leader (CDL) or Child Care Administrator (CCA).

Programs can identify who their leadership team members are. Those involved in making decisions about your program are most likely leadership team members. At minimum, the program administrator is a member of the leadership team.

No. Once an individual completes the required training associated with the level their program is working on, they have satisfied the training requirement of the specific level.

No. If you have completed any of the Level 2, 3, or 4 trainings in the past, prior to enrolling in Learn & Grow, you do not need to repeat them.

The Alaska System for Early Education Development, or Alaska SEED, is the state’s early childhood professional development system. Housed and managed by thread, Alaska SEED is a collaborative of Head Start, the Tribal Childcare Association, State of Alaska Departments of Education and Early Development, Health and Social Services, and Labor, thread, and other nonprofit agencies in the state.

• Alaska SEED identifies and supports professional development for individuals working in the early childhood education field. Learn & Grow identifies and supports quality activities for early childhood education programs. Staff Qualifications & Professional Development is one of the four Learn & Grow Quality Standard areas.
• Both Alaska SEED and Learn & Grow are housed and managed at thread, Alaska’s Child Care Resource and Referral Network.