Midwest Summit for Early Childhood Coaches and Trainers
Conference for Early Childhood Coaches and Trainers
Join Us for the 2027 Midwest Summit for Early Childhood Coaches and Trainers!
February 10 and 11, 2027
Build your skills. Connect with peers. Strengthen the support you offer early educators.
Join Futures First February 10–11, 2027, for two days of learning and connection with early childhood coaches, trainers, and other professionals who support adult learning. Explore practical strategies to engage educators, strengthen relationships, and support their work nurturing young children.
Meet the 2027 Keynote Speaker
Prerna Richards is a TEDx speaker, globally recognized thought leader, and transformational coach with over 40 years of experience in early childhood education and leadership. She has worked with thousands of educators and leaders across the globe, helping to transform the way adults understand behavior, relationships, and learning.
Her work integrates neuroscience, brain development, stress, trauma, and play, while championing what she calls “social-emotional development for the grown-ups.”
At the heart of her work is a powerful belief: when adults are regulated, self-aware, and emotionally supported, children naturally follow. Through her signature “Connect Before You Correct” approach, Prerna helps educators and leaders shift from reactive, compliance-driven practices to connection-centered environments rooted in resilience, belonging, and emotional intelligence.
Blending science, storytelling, and practical strategies, Prerna inspires lasting change—equipping audiences to lead with clarity, compassion, and confidence.
2027 Day 1: Session 1
2027 Day 1: Session 2
2027 Day 2: Session 1
Frequently Asked Questions about the Midwest Summit for Early Childhood Coaches and Trainers
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- Who is the conference for? The Midwest Summit is for all professionals that provide professional development. Some of the sessions, including the opening and closing keynotes, are geared toward the idea of quality adult-learning, which is essential for trainers, coaches, parent educators, and more.
- What sessions are best for parent educators? As a parent educator, any session with an “Adult Learning” focus area would be appropriate. These sessions include “Challenging Behaviors – Where Angry Love and Ruthless Compassion collide”, “Safe Enough to Grow: Build Psychological Safety in Coaching”, and “Right Here, Right Now: Coaching Through Real-Time Feedback”. Check out this list of session descriptions for more information.
- What if I’m a trainer and a coach? How do I decide what classes? If your work includes both training and coaching, consider the skills you’d like to strengthen, the challenges you’re navigating, and the needs of the educators you support. You may find topics relevant to both roles. Review all session descriptions to identify the sessions that best align with your interests and goals.
- What if I want to be a trainer or a coach? If you are someone who is just stepping into this next phase of your early childhood education profession, this event will help you heighten your knowledge of training delivery, adult-learning techniques, and coaching skills.
- Are CEUs or clock hours available? Yes, these all sessions are approved in both Kansas and Missouri.
- Are there any scholarships available? KCCTO currently has conference scholarships available for Kansas providers who currently work in a licensed, non-Head Start, child care facility. See this page for more information.
- Are meals included? Breakfast will be included each day, as well as lunch on Day 1. Gluten free offerings will be available at each meal.
- Where can I find lodging? There are several hotels located near the JCCC campus. See this list for just a few of the options.
- What parking is available? Parking is free for this event, with both covered and non-covered lots.
- What is the dress code? Dress code for this event is business casual.