FirstDay Learning: Campfire Coaching
Category
Early Care and Education
Child's Age
0-1 years, 1-2 years, 2-3 years, 3-4 years, 4-5 years
Participant
ECE Teachers
Languages
English, Spanish
Brief Description
Campfire Coaching professional development sessions use small group meetings to provide an ongoing, practice-based cycle in three stages: Learn & Plan, Implement & Practice, Debrief & Reflect .
Expected Impact
- Increase in participant confidence in responding to challenging behaviors
- Improvements in children’s behavior
- Improved understanding of children’s behaviors
Core Components for Model Fidelity
- Group Meetings: Campfire Coaching serves small groups of 5-8 educators per FirstDay Learning coach.
- Learn & Plan: Participants are introduced to one Concept including 3 Method Cards, instructed on how to use the Method Cards, given discussion prompts and planning time to plan for how to implement the ideas on their Method Cards.
- Implement & Practice: Educators spend time in between sessions implementing the ideas on their Method Cards, trying out classroom strategies, personal strategies, etc.
- Debrief & Reflect: Participants respond to coaching prompts detailing how their plans compared to reality, what they learned, problems they encountered, and anything else with which they are in need of support.
Languages Materials are Available in
English, Spanish
Delivery Mode
Campfire Coaching is delivered in small group virtual cohorts. The coaching kick-off can be virtual or in-person; the bi-weekly coaching sessions are virtual. Optional in-person or virtual mid-point check ins and in-person or virtual end of program wrap-up.
Dosage
Campfire Coaching encompasses 20 hours of ongoing systematic support. Typical delivery includes one 1-hour session every 2 weeks so the program can be delivered throughout a standard10-month school year. FirstDay Learning coaches can accommodate most schedules upon request.
Infrastructure for Implementation
Materials: FirstDay Learning Method Cards are provided by the purveyor and included in the cost of implementation.
Space: The Campfire Coaching kick-off, midpoint check-in, and wrap-up may be held virtually or in person. The training is virtual. A physical space must be provided for any in-person FirstDay Learning coaching or training sessions.
Staffing Requirements
All coaches are FirstDay Learning staff members trained to provide the service. FirstDay Learning specialists have extensive ECE background including teaching, coaching, and behavioral/mental health/inclusion expertise.
Training for Model Fidelity
Campfire Coaching is a professional development program for early childhood educators. There is no train the trainer program. FirstDay Learning is the direct service provider (DSP). All coaches are FirstDay Learning staff members trained to provide the service.
Contact Information
https://www.firstdaylearning.com/
Development and SME- Rebecca List Freedman: Co-Founder & SVP of Professional Development; rebecca.listfreedman@firstdaylearning.com, (954) 459-5233
Delivery and Operations- Michael Royal: Co-Founder & SVP Operations; michael.royal@firstdaylearning.com, (434) 242-6029
Administration and Finance- Peter Thomas: Co-Founder and SVP Administration; peter.thomas@firstdaylearning.com, (434) 465-0762
Other: info@firstdaylearning.com, (434) 989-2434
Cost Estimates
Campfire Coaching costs $9,940 for one cohort of 5-8 attending educators. This includes a virtual kick-off. An onsite kick-off is available for $5,700 (3 or 4 cohorts can combined for a single on-site kick-off). On-site midpoint workshops and on-site end of project wrap-ups are available - each at $5,700 (2 cohorts can be "assembled" in one on-site day).
Purpose Service Code (PSC)
3105 - Accessing Professional Certification and Course Work
Program Identifier (PID)
First Day Learning- Campfire Coaching
Minimal Outputs for NCPC Reporting
FY 24-25:
- Number of ECE professionals trained via Campfire Coaching Behavior
Minimal Outcomes for NCPC Reporting
FY 24-25:
- Improved teacher knowledge
Minimal Measures for NCPC Reporting
FY 24-25:
- TBD
NCPC Evidence Categorization
Evidence Informed- 2 annual reports. Internal evaluations only with no comparison groups.
Research Summary
Two of the most recent publications on Campfire Coaching include the 2020-2021 Impact Report1 and the 2021-2022 Impact Report.2 Participants sampled in these surveys included all participants each year, with no further demographic information provided. Survey responses in 2020-2021 indicated that participants rated their Campfire Coaching coach as highly effective (91%) and noted that the model improved their teaching practice (88%). Furthermore, participants reported improvements in their children’s behaviors (75%) and an increase in their confidence in responding to challenging behaviors (87%) after completing the program. Campfire Coaching participants in 2021-2022 reported an increase in their confidence (97%). Participants felt the program helped them learn how to deal with challenging behaviors (100%), improve their children’s behavior (88%), and felt supported to critically reflect on their practice (83%). Participants also rated their coaches as highly effective (96%) and highly supportive (88%).
- ^ See FirstDay Learning 2020-2021 Impact Report. Participants sampled in these surveys. Survey responses in 2020-2021 indicated that participants rated their Campfire Coaching coach as highly effective (91%) and noted that the model improved their teaching practice (88%). Furthermore, participants reported improvements in their children’s behaviors (75%) and an increase in their confidence in responding to challenging behaviors (87%) after completing the program.
- ^ See FirstDay Learning Annual 2021-2022 Impact Report. Participants sampled in these surveys included all participants in the 2021-2022 year, with no further demographic information provided. Campfire Coaching participants reported an increase in their confidence (97%). Participants felt the program helped them learn how to deal with challenging behaviors (100%), improve their children’s behavior (88%), and felt supported to critically reflect on their practice (83%). Participants also rated their coaches as highly effective (96%) and highly supportive (88%).
Researched Population
- Early childhood educators who serve a diverse population of students and families
FirstDay Learning 2020-2021 Impact Report.
FirstDay Learning Annual 2021-2022 Impact Report.
Local Partnerships Currently Implementing
Local Partnerships in purple have adopted FirstDay Learning: Campfire Coaching. Local Partnership contact information can be found here.