Penn State Better Kid Care is Honored to Earn the CDA Gold Standard

Posted: January 17, 2018

On December 19, 2017, Penn State Better Kid Care's CDA course was awarded the CDA Gold Standard following a quality review of their training and student services by the Council for Professional Recognition (the Council). The CDA Gold StandardSM is part of the Council’s early childhood education effort to help CDA students find the high-quality training and student services they need in preparation for the CDA exam and a career as early childhood educators.

As a participant in the CDA Gold Standard pilot, Penn State Better Kid Care successfully demonstrated that its early childhood education training is based on the Council's three industry-leading principles:

  1. Alignment with the CDA formal education coursework found in the CDA's Eight Subject Areas.
  2. Sound business policies and practices.
  3. Quality student services that meet their educational and professional needs.

"We believe that our new CDA Gold Standard adds value and integrity to the early childhood profession by verifying connections between the Council's proven teacher competencies and the quality of training resources available to CDA students," said Valora Washington, chief executive officer, Council for Professional Recognition.

Find out more about Better Kid Care's CDA Course!

In addition to offering high-quality training, CDA Gold Standard applicants must provide evidence that they serve the CDA student community with excellence, which includes professional development that prepares students for successful completion of their training program.

"It's exciting to think about the many young children, families, and communities that will benefit from the high-quality education and training students will receive from Better Kid Care, a CDA Gold StandardSM organization," Washington added.

About the Council for Professional Recognition
For more than 30 years, the Council for Professional Recognition has been the leader in promoting improved performance and recognition of professionals in the early childhood education of children ages zero to 5 years old. The Council recognizes and credentials professionals who work in all types of early care and education settings - Head Start, pre-k, infant-toddler, family child care, and home visitor programs. As a non-profit agency, the Council sets policies and procedures for assessment and credentialing, including the CDA® and the new CDA Gold StandardSM; publishes the industry leading training books and workbooks, including its CDA Competency Standards and Essentials textbook and workbook (2nd edition). Visit: www.cdacouncil.org