What is an Individualized Professional Development Plan?
An Individualized Professional Development Plan (IPDP) is a customized path to reach professional growth.
An IPDP is a tool that guides you through the process of reflecting on your strengths and interests, as well as determining areas that may benefit from additional focus. The information you gain from this process will provide the framework for setting individualized goals for increasing personal knowledge, skills, and expertise.
Why is it important?
An effective IPDP helps you:
- evaluate your current knowledge, skills, and expertise through a process of self-reflection
- identify areas for further growth that can inform the development of individualized goals document professional development and growth
What does the IPDP process look like?
The Kansas Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) Professionals IPDP includes the following:
- Step 1: self-assessment
- Step 2: creating your goal statement
- Step 3: action planning
The current IPDP self-assessment is focused on the Kansas Core Competencies for ECCE Professionals. Additional self-assessments are in development.
Get Started!
There are currently three ways to view the Kansas ECCE Professionals IPDP. You can use the online hub (coming soon) for an interactive, step-by-step guide for creating your own IPDP, download and print a hard copy, or use the fillable online forms.
Step 1: Complete a Self-Assessment
Kansas Core Competencies Self-Assessment
This Self-Assessment is based on the new Kansas Core Competencies for Early Childhood Care and Education Professionals that were launched in 2024. First you will choose your self-assessment focus area and then complete the self assessment.
Step 2 & 3: Create Your Goal Statement & Action Plan
Individualized Professional Development Plan
The Individualized Professional Development Plan (IPDP) will help you create a customized path to guide and support your professional growth. An IPDP will guide you to reflect on your strengths and interests and determine areas that may benefit from additional focus. The information you gain through this process will support you in setting individualized goals to increase your knowledge and skills.
Additional Resources
Kansas Core Competencies
The Kansas Core Competencies for Early Childhood Care and Education Professionals support those who serve children and families from all racial, ethnic, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Additionally, the core competencies will guide early childhood care and education professionals in providing developmentally appropriate, safe, and healthy environments and experiences in a relationship-based early care and education program focusing on each child’s needs, developmental levels, and abilities.
Goal Setting & IPDP Worksheets Only
Download and print your worksheets to write down your plans. Included in the download are the Goal Setting After Self-Assessment and Individual Professional Development Plan worksheets. You’ll also find these worksheets in the IPDP Guide with examples.
Have questions about your IPDP?
We’ll put you in touch with a KCCTO Professional Development Specialist!