Transforming Professional Development: Key Resources for CPD Educators

The first key resource developed under the Erasmus+ PIQET project by NEPC members: the Educational Research Institute (Slovenia) and Open Academy Step by Step (Croatia), in collaboration with the International Step by Step Association (Netherlands) is the PIQET Training Programme for Continuous Professional Development Educators. This three-day training model is based on the PIQET Principles while remaining flexible for adaptation to personal, organizational, or national contexts. Individuals and CPD educators can use it for self-reflection and professional growth, while CPD providers—both public and non-governmental organizations—can implement it as a framework for quality assurance in recruitment and ongoing support of CPD educators.

Another essential resource is The PIQET Handbook for CPD Educators, which highlights the crucial role of CPD educators—trainers, mentors, and facilitators responsible for in-service training of early childhood and primary school educators. The handbook introduces the PIQET Transformative Pathway, a self-improvement framework designed for CPD educators. It explores key components such as self-reflection, shared understanding of quality, personalized learning pathways, and fostering change in practice. Practical examples from Croatia and Slovenia demonstrate how the PIQET Principles can be applied in training and support programs. Additionally, the handbook includes tools such as a Transformative Pathway Plan, Guidelines for Reflective Discussion, and a Professional Learning Community model, providing actionable steps for CPD educators and organizations committed to high-quality professional development.

While CPD programs often focus on the professional development of teachers and practitioners, this handbook shifts the focus to those delivering CPD, advocating for their recognition, support, and continuous improvement.

Finally, the video PIQET: Transforming Professional Development for Early Childhood Educators was created to raise awareness and advocate for the importance of CPD educators’ professional growth, further emphasizing the need for structured support and investment in their development.