Think Small is proud to announce that the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) has accredited Think Small Institute’s professional development in early childhood care and education. This prestigious accreditation allows Think Small Institute to offer transferable Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for its high-quality training programs, supporting professionals as they advance their careers in early childhood education and as child care providers.
Think Small Institute, part of the Think Small family, provides more than 100 on-demand and eLearning courses designed specifically for early childhood educators. Leveraging the national expertise of subject matter experts, these courses translate evidence-based theory into practical application. Grounded in antiracist pedagogy and diversity-informed practices, Think Small Institute courses aim to meet the diverse needs of the early childhood workforce.
“Think Small Institute’s course content and learning experiences equip early childhood professionals to effectively serve the diverse needs of children and families,” said Nikki Darling-Kuria, Director of Think Small Institute and Redleaf Press. “This accreditation is a stamp of approval on the high-quality content we design and deliver to the early childhood workforce. Our ability to offer CEUs extends our impact in improving early learning experiences and outcomes for all children and families.”
Cisa Keller, Think Small President and CEO, shared, “This accreditation is a universal model for learning excellence and affirms Think Small’s commitment to providing high-quality training for child care providers. By offering professional development that meets exceptional standards for quality programming, we continue to promote high-quality environments for our nation’s youngest learners, supporting our mission to advance quality care and education in Minnesota.”
In addition to its extensive range of courses for professional development in early childhood education, Think Small Institute’s online learning platform allows professionals to participate at their own pace. To explore course listings and learn more about Think Small Institute, visit thinksmall.org/shop
Think Small Institute Subject Matter Experts
Nikki Darling-Kuria
Nikki Darling-Kuria is Think Small’s Strategic Leader in Content and Innovation and Director of Think Small Institute and Redleaf Press. She is a creative and innovative leader in early childhood education with nearly 30 years of progressive experience, including 16 years as a state-licensed and nationally accredited family child care provider. She champions anti-racist pedagogy, grounding her work in trauma- and diversity-informed practices to ensure equitable support for the diverse early childhood workforce.
Darling-Kuria designs and delivers professional development that enhances educational and well-being outcomes for children and their families. As a national expert in early childhood development, Darling-Kuria’s expertise spans trauma-informed care, brain development, challenging behaviors, culture and family, child maltreatment prevention, children’s mental health, language and literacy, and STEM education. Her work is crucial in closing the opportunity gap for children in Minnesota and nationwide.
In addition to numerous articles, curricula, and eLearning courses, Darling-Kuria authored the book Brain-Based Early Learning Activities: Connecting Theory and Practice. Prior to coming to Think Small, and as Program Director of Professional Development and Workforce Innovations for ZERO TO THREE, she contributed to the development of “The Growing Brain” curriculum, including the training of trainers and “Knowledge and Know-How: Nurturing Child Well-Being,” an online training program, among other initiatives. She has served on the boards of the National Association for Family Child Care and the National Workforce Registry Alliance. Darling-Kuria holds two master’s degrees in human development and instructional design, focusing on social justice and equity.
Ellaine B. Miller, PhD
Ellaine B. Miller, PhD, is the Training and Curriculum Program Leader at Think Small Institute (TSI) and a nationally recognized, award-winning expert in early care and education. With more than 20 years of experience in early childhood education and a strong educational background in child development, Miller excels in transforming instructional design and curriculum content into practical, real-world applications for professionals.
Her extensive experience in practice-based coaching, quality child care, and family child care, combined with her deep knowledge of child development, establishes her as a leading subject matter expert in early childhood education. Miller’s approach and curricula are rooted in anti-racist pedagogy and social justice frameworks, promoting best practices and high-quality caregiving in early childhood education settings. She is credited with numerous online course content, in-person trainings, articles, and public presentations. Among her many contributions to Think Small Institute are the online courses “Applying Trauma-Sensitive Care Across Systems” and “Culturally Responsive Teaching and Trauma-Sensitive Care.”
Miller is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation. Miller has served as the Director of Family Child Care Programs and Assistant Clinical Professor at Auburn University, as well as the Assistant Director of Early Care and Education Programs for the Central West region of Georgia with Quality Care for Children. She is currently the President of the Board for the National Association for Family Child Care.
