About Us

Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is committed to ensuring that Georgia's youngest citizens receive high quality services that prepare them for school and for life. To meet this commitment, DECAL has developed and maintains the Georgia Professional Development System (GaPDS). Through GaPDS, early care and learning professionals can create and maintain a GaPDS Profile, as well as search and register for DECAL trainings. For any non-DECAL trainings, you will still visit Training Approval. If you have a GaPDS Profile, you will automatically receive credit for DECAL trainings, with no need to keep track of paper certificates. You can use your profile to keep track of your training hours, credentials, certifications, uploaded certificates for non-DECAL trainings, and employment history – all in one location. GaPDS is replacing the PDR. Your PDS number is the same as your former PDR number.