Young children’s actions that adults describe as “challenging” often communicate needs, emotions, developmental limits, or difficulties within the environment. This article gives child care directors and providers practical, evidence-informed strategies for looking beyond the behav... What Does Challenging Behavior Really Mean — and How Can We Understand It?
Predictable daily routines are one of the simplest, most powerful tools a child care program can use to reduce challenging behavior and increase engagement. This article is written for directors and providers who need practical, evidence-informed steps you can use today. You'll find 1) why routine... Why Do Predictable Routines Reduce Challenging Behaviors?
Safety, health, and nutrition in childcare are important concepts that influence providers' everyday day work with children. Each moment that providers spend with young children they must consider any and all safety risks. The most important role of childcare providers is to keep children safe at al... Childcare Safety First
Big events like the 2026 World Cup bring big crowds, traffic, and new questions for child care programs in host cities. This short guide gives clear steps you can use now to protect children, keep daily routines, and help families feel calm. You will see easy lists, quick checks, and links to helpfu... How can child care programs handle drop-off, safety, and schedules during the 2026 World Cup in big cities?
Wildfire smoke can travel far. When the sky looks hazy or you smell smoke, you and your team must act to protect little lungs. This short guide helps North Dakota child care directors and providers make clear, fast choices. Use simple steps: check the Air Quality Index (AQI), pick a cutoff, improve ... When the Sky Turns Hazy: How Should North Dakota Child Care Providers Protect Kids from Wildfire Smoke?
Extreme weather—heat waves, wildfires, storms, or sudden cold snaps—creates real risks for young children and real decisions for child care leaders. Want a clear, practical path to protect children, reduce staff confusion, and meet program training goals? Start by strengthening your emer... How can child care programs support children during extreme weather events?
If a child is hurt in your program, good notes keep children safe and help your team, families, and licensing understand what happened. This short guide shows clear steps for Minnesota child care providers to write facts, follow state rules, and use reports to improve #Minnesota care. Remember: stat... How do we document incidents and injuries the right way in Minnesota child care?
Keeping children safe is the most important job at a child care center. This article is for directors and providers who want clear, doable steps. You will find simple actions, checks, and ideas you can use right away. Remember: state requirements vary - check your state licensing agency. Why does... How can child care centers manage safety and reduce risk every day?
On a winter afternoon in Boerne, Texas, cars crossed a fence and hit children and staff in a preschool play area. One teacher died, and several children and staff were hurt in the crash — a sharp reminder that the parking lot is part of your #safety plan. Read on for clear, practical steps you... How Can Texas Child Care Providers Make Parking Lot Safety Real After the Boerne Preschool Crash?
What is a CDA? The Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™ is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education (ECE), serving as a crucial professional benchmark and a formal stepping stone on the pathway to career advancement within the field. The CDA® is bas... CDA