Skip to main content
Penn State Extension Logo
Better Kid Care
You are here:
  1. Home
  2. Content Areas (CKC)
  3. Program Organization & Administration
  4. Research-to-practice articles

Research-to-practice articles

CDA Credential: A catalyst to professional growth

The CDA Credential can be a catalyst to professional growth and a career in early education. Here’s what you need to know. The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is a national credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition. The CDA Credential is based on a core set of competency standards developed by the Council for Professional Recognition, which guides early care professionals as they work toward becoming qualified teachers of young children.

Continual marketing strategies for family child care

How to market a family child care program.

Developing a mission statement

In early education and care, mission statements carry great meaning and are an important part of the program, no matter how small or large. Mission statements, sometimes called vision statements, typically describe the goals of a program; what unique qualities it offers and its overall vision. Mission statements are vital because they are unique to each program and they offer a voice to guide and share the definition and purpose of the program.

Late fees

How to set up a late fee policy for families that do not pay on time or arrive late to pick up their children from the child care program.

Better Kid Care

  • Better Kid Care Overview
  • ¿Hablas Español?
    • ¿Hablas Español? Overview
    • Cursos en Español
  • Content Areas (CKC)
    • Content Areas (CKC) Overview
    • Child Growth & Development
      • Child Growth & Development Overview
      • On Demand modules
      • Research-to-practice articles
      • Vodcasts
      • More Child Development Resources
    • Curriculum & Learning Experiences
      • Curriculum & Learning Experiences Overview
      • On-Demand modules
      • Research-to-practice articles
      • Nurturing Learning Series
      • Activities
    • Families, Schools and Community Collaboration and Partnerships
      • Families, Schools and Community Collaboration and Partnerships Overview
      • On Demand modules
      • Research-to-practice articles
      • Vodcasts
    • Assessment
      • Assessment Overview
      • On Demand modules
      • Research-to-practice articles
    • Communication
      • Communication Overview
      • On Demand modules
      • Research-to-practice articles
    • Professionalism & Leadership
      • Professionalism & Leadership Overview
      • On Demand modules
      • Research-to-practice articles
      • Vodcasts
    • Health, Safety & Nutrition
      • Health, Safety & Nutrition Overview
      • On Demand modules
      • Research-to-practice articles
      • Child Immunization Resources
      • COVID-19 Information
      • Lunch and Snack ideas
    • Program Organization & Administration
      • Program Organization & Administration Overview
      • On Demand modules
      • Research-to-practice articles
  • CDA
    • CDA Overview
    • CDA Renewal
    • CDA Update newsletters
  • Early Learning Professionals
    • Early Learning Professionals Overview
    • Distance Education
    • CEUs and Act 48 for Professional Development Credit
      • CEUs and Act 48 for Professional Development Credit Overview
      • Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
      • Act 48 Hours for Certified Pennsylvania Educators
    • Required Health and Safety Training
    • Research-to-Practice
    • Thinking about a childcare career?
  • School-Age Professionals
    • School-Age Professionals Overview
    • School-age courses
      • School-age courses Overview
      • All On Demand School-age Lessons
      • Positive Youth Development (PYD)
      • Click2Science
      • Looking to Renew Your School-age Professional Credential?
    • Coaching
    • Solo, Yet Together
  • Family Child Care Professionals
    • Family Child Care Professionals Overview
    • Thinking About a Family Child Care Career?
  • Family Resources
    • Family Resources Overview
    • Family Forums
    • Explore and Engage
    • Families Count
      • Families Count Overview
      • Art Appreciation 101 for Young Children
      • Curiosity is the Wick in the Candle of Learning*
      • Help Children Understand the Meaning of Counting
      • I Want! I Want! I WANT!!: Building Good Consumers
      • Things Child Care Providers Want to Hear from Parents
      • Top Five Plants for Kids
      • What Does "Time" Mean to Children?
      • Behavior breakdowns—What do you do?
    • ABCs of Growing Healthy Kids
    • Kindergarten Readiness Videos
      • Kindergarten Readiness Videos Overview
      • Introduction
      • Cognitive Skills
      • Social/Emotional Skills
      • Physical Motor Skills
      • Learning Skills
      • Is My Child Really Ready?
  • Coaching Resources
    • Coaching Resources Overview
    • Coaching guides
      • Coaching guides Overview
      • How the coaching guides work
    • Coaching courses
  • Directors
    • Directors Overview
    • Course Prepayment
    • Courses For Directors
    • Staff Professional Development
    • Flexible Professional Development
  • Vodcasts
  • BKC PD Alignments
  • Directory
  • About Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Contact Us
Sign In for Online Courses Required Health and Safety Online Courses

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)
  • Instagram
  • Newsletters
Sign In for Online Courses Required Health and Safety Online Courses

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)
  • Instagram
  • Newsletters
Back to Top

Better Kid Care

  • University Park, PA 16802
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
Penn State Extension Logo

Privacy and Legal Statements — Accessibility — © 2025 The Pennsylvania State University

Penn State Extension Logo

Explore

  • Degrees & Programs
  • Admissions
  • Research
  • Extension
  • About
  • College Directory
  • Contact Us

Information for

  • Students
  • Industry
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Visitors & Public
Request Info Schedule a Visit Apply
 
Penn State College of Agricultural Science Logo