The Virtual Lab School and VLS MomentumEX

The Virtual Lab School (VLS) was originally developed at The Ohio State University by a team of early childhood experts with both research and practical experience in childcare settings. The VLS team continuously reviews cutting-edge, peer-reviewed research for translation into a comprehensive professional development system. Developed for the world-class network of child and youth care professionals working within U.S. military-affiliated child care programs the world, the VLS content is aligned across functional roles, the Child Development Associate (CDA) competencies, as well as NAEYC, NAFCC, and CYD-AYD standards. Learn more about the Virtual Lab School at https://www.virtuallabschool.org/.

VLS MomentumEX is a small-scale pilot program to examine whether the foundational training model used within military-affiliate child care programs can be replicated in public settings and to understand the changes necessary to best support its efficacy and feasibility in public child care programs. The VLS foundational training model pairs high-quality, comprehensive, competency-based online training with the implementation support of a well-trained coach. In VLS MomentumEx coaching specialists and researchers at The Ohio State University have partnered with four local child care centers to help train and support a within-center coach. This coach will support direct care teachers in their foundational training, which not only helps prepare teachers to apply for their CDA but enhances their overall knowledge and skills in fostering young children’s positive development.