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  • Quality early childhood programs make a difference in the life of a child.

    IEPD provides high quality professional development and consultation services for early childhood programs and educators.

  • Quality early childhood programs make a difference in the life of a child.

    IEPD provides high quality professional development and consultation services for early childhood programs and educators.

Training/Services

Professional Development The Institute for Education and Professional Development, Inc. (IEPD) offers a variety of courses on topics related to early childhood education. Courses are aligned with early childhood core competencies and Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) requirements. All courses are based upon best practices, current research, and are interactive in nature. Our goal is to provide training that is relevant, current, and directly applicable to your work. Please review our catalog for more information.

Consultation Services IEPD offers a broad range of consultation services for programs and agencies. This service may include assistance with identifying and achieving program improvement goals, assisting with use and implementation of assessment tools, developing supervision and leadership skills, providing support with grants, and other areas based upon the needs of the program. Please contact IEPD at info@iepd.org to discuss consultation services specific to the needs of your program.

E-News Our monthly E-News provides information on upcoming training's, early childhood links, curriculum ideas and a brief article for the month. If you would like to receive our monthly newsletter, please email info@iepd.org with your contact information or fill out the contact form below.

Course Development IEPD will design a course specific to the needs of your program. This is helpful if you wish to own your own course and provide it on an ongoing basis. We have experience writing courses on early childhood topics, coaching and mentoring, for families/parent groups, for high school early childhood courses, and others. Contact us today to discuss your needs and to answer your questions!

Would you like to plan a training at your program? Please contact us to discuss your training options. We offer 5 hour, .5 CEU learning events as well as 2-3 hour workshops. Please email info@iepd.org for more information. We are happy to help!

About us

The Institute for Education and Professional Development, Inc. was established in 2005 to provide professional development and consultation services to early childhood programs and educators. We work collaboratively with programs, educators, and agencies to improve the quality of education and care for young children and families.

IEPD has master instructors who provide training, coaching and mentoring services. Each of the IEPD instructors receives training on adult learning principles, training design and delivery, and evaluation. All of the IEPD instructors have worked in the field of early childhood education, bringing their own experiences and "lessons learned" to the training.

Our trainings are fun, engaging, and are filled with important information and resources. We want to work with you, hear your stories, successes and challenges, and provide assistance to help you in your work.

Our Vision

Children will thrive in early education programs and become healthy, caring, and competent adults.

Our Mission

Supporting early childhood educators and programs so children grow and learn!

Non-Discrimination Statement: The Institute for Education and Professional Development, Inc. (IEPD) complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, creed, sexual orientation or sex (including gender identity and gender stereotyping).

Testimonials (click to expand)

  • Ardith Wieworka

    CEO, Mass. Afterschool Partnership
    Exec. VP, Child Development and Education

    “Dr. Jody Figuerido is a leader in the field of training and professional development for the early education and care field. Under Jody’s direction, the Institute of Education and Professional Development has become the flagship organization for educators who wish to improve quality in their programs and promote positive outcomes for children. IEPD’s trainings are engaging, relevant and research based. I highly recommend IEPD for you, your staff and your program!”

  • Maria Torres de Martinez

    Executive Director of Child Care Services
    Merrimack Valley YMCA

    “Jody Figuerido and her IEPD team are truly the best of the best.  Our Merrimack Valley YMCA collaborate with IEPD for all trainings and have most recently began a collaboration to increase awareness in diversity and inclusion throughout our entire association. The IEPD team takes the time to ask the right questions in order to make sure that the training is tailored to the program’s specific needs. I personally received training on the Environmental Rating Scale scoring procedures for preschool and the knowledge I gained was without doubt the most I have acquired in my last five years of working with the scales. IEPD is our training institute of choice.”

  • Elizabeth A. Reedy

    Vice President, Regional Development Director, Region 5 EPS
    Child Development and Education, Inc.

    “Dr. Jody Figuerido has been instrumental to the professional development of Educators in the Commonwealth. Under her leadership and expertise, she and her team have prepared Educators of young learners by providing research based comprehensive strategies to the field. As a Partner with the Educator and Provider Support grant in Region 5 and the statewide QRIS Measurement Tools grant, Dr. Figuerido has developed and facilitated high quality CEU trainings that meet the direct needs of the Commonwealth and the early education field and her consultation services to participating Educators have played a significant role in the success of their program improvement planning and individual professional development, thereby positively impacting the outcomes of the children in their care! When considering training needs to enhance your program, I highly recommend the Institute for Education and Professional Development.”

  • Sue Hamlett

    Professional Development Specialist
    Educator and Provider Support of Western MA (EPS)

    “During the past year we have had the pleasure of working with staff at the Institute for Education and Professional Development to schedule trainings for early childhood and out of school time educators in Western Mass. The office staff are professional, friendly and work in a timely and efficient manner. The trainers are extremely knowledgeable, presenting high quality trainings with the most current information. We highly recommend them to anyone looking for great, high quality trainings.”

  • Donna Jasak

    “It’s always a pleasure to work with the folks at IEPD. I have had the opportunity to work with Jody and her staff on several occasions; some of those include participating in trainings offered by IEPD, scheduling training with them through my work at the Region 6 EPS, and subcontracting with IEPD as an instructor for a few trainings. In all of my interaction with Jody and IEPD, I have found everyone to be professional, organized and most importantly experts in the field of Early Education in Massachusetts.  I would not hesitate to recommend or contract with IEPD for Professional Development needs.”

  • Karen W.

    Early Childhood Teacher

    I wanted to let you know I enjoyed this webinar - you gave me lots of new ideas and an introduction as to how to actually use the guidelines. I have never used them and when I started looking I really had no idea how to begin. It was very helpful to learn how to web a plan too.

  • Margie Wheeler

    Early Childhood Educator

    I am so excited about IEPD’s new website! It is well organized, easy to navigate and informative. The choices of formats can meet anyone’s needs. As a Family Child Care provider, I prefer the convenient webinar format, and will utilize these affordable options. The first webinar I have taken through IEPD was clear, easy to understand and had a balance of presenter and optional attendee participation. These essential topics focus on QRIS standards, and the Core Competencies which all early education providers are seeking to move forward with their IPDP’s and career ladders. I hope to also explore the consultation services for my program. Thank you for making this available to educators! Margie Wheeler

FAQs (click to view answers)

  • Can I take more than one training?

    Yes, you may register for more than one training but please make every attempt to attend all trainings that you sign up for.

  • Can I take training in another region if I am not located in that area?

    Yes! Trainings are available to educators from all regions, however we do prioritize educators based on our Priority Policy.

  • How do I access the Early Educator's Scholarship?

    A link to the Early Educator's Scholarship is in Resources

  • How do I register for a college course?

    Visit EPS Professional Development in Resources
    College courses link to EPS resource and state - Each of the EPS regions offers college courses through their grant funding. Each EPS agency will be able to answer questions and assist you with registration.

  • How do I register for training?

    To register, please go to our training page and click on the topic you are interested in.  That will open the registration page for that topic.

  • What are CEUs?

    The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a nationally recognized unit of measurement for noncredit continuing education programs. It is designed to document learning experiences that are valid in their own right but are not academic credits from a college or university. One CEU represents ten contact hours of participation in an organized education/training experience under responsible, qualified direction and instruction.

  • What is a PQ number?

    A Professional Qualifications (PQ) number is generated from the Professional Qualification Registry. Any educator wishing to register for an EPS training must have a PQ number. To register please visit: PQ Registry

  • What is a program number?

    A Program Number is assigned by EEC to all family child care educators and each center. This number can found on your EEC license. Please have your program number available when registering.

  • What is an IPDP?

    IPDP stands for Individual Professional Development Plan. This helps you organize you short-term and long-term educational and professional development goals and determine the steps you need to take to achieve these goals.

  • What is CDA?

    The Child Development Associate is a nationally recognized credential administered through The Council for Professional Recognition in Washington D.C.

  • What is QRIS?

    QRIS is the Quality Rating and Improvement System for Massachusetts. Using a series of standards and self-assessment tools, educators can assess, improve and communicate the level of quality in early education and care and out-of-school time programs. For more information about MA QRIS: Visit QRIS

  • Do you have a question this isn't listed here?

    Please email us Contact IEPD

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Meet Jody Figuerido

Welcome to IEPD! Our mission is to support educators, families, and programs in providing high quality care and education for young children.

I have been working in the field of early childhood education since my youth. My experience includes elementary education, serving as Director of an early education and care program, and developing training for agencies and educators at the Department of Early Education and Care and The Institute for Education and Professional Development. I am proud of our work at IEPD as it is the result of years of experience and education with a goal of supporting the growth and learning of children and adults.

My education includes a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, and a Doctorate Degree in Adult Learning. I am also a CDA Professional Development Specialist, certified by the Council for Professional Recognition. My life work has been to promote quality early childhood programming for children, families, and educators.

Please contact me with any questions, to discuss your work, or simply to connect! Let’s work together to help each child have a solid foundation so that some day, each child is happy, successful in his/her own way, and has a deep love of learning!

Dr. Jody Figuerido, President

The Institute for Education
and Professional Development, Inc.

  • 90 Mendon Street, #12 | Bellingham, MA 02019
  • Tel 508-657-1079 | Fax 508-657-1281
© 2018 The Institute for Education and Professional Development, Inc.