About
Early Childhood Investigations

Early Childhood Investigations is your gateway to inspiring, conference-quality professional development!

This free webinar series—originally founded by Fran S. Simon, M.Ed., and now proudly produced by Playground—brings together respected thought leaders and experts in early care, education, and related fields. Each session explores meaningful, timely topics that spark fresh ideas and offer valuable insights for everyone in the workforce.

At Early Childhood Investigations, we’re passionate about removing barriers like distance, time, and cost, making professional development accessible to all. Our webinars are designed to inspire meaningful conversations within the early education community and empower directors and teachers to elevate their practice—offering hour-long, bite-sized introductions to research-based, actionable strategies you can apply the same day.

Since 2009, Early Childhood Investigations Webinars has transformed how educators grow and learn. As of January 2025, Playground has proudly taken the reins as the series’ producer to lead it into the future. With unwavering dedication, Playground is expanding the reach of the series and creating even more valuable digital content. Our mission is to empower early educators with the tools and resources they need to make a lasting, positive impact on the children and families they serve.