Early childhood educators play a critical role in the lives of young children and their families around the world. Those who have earned their Child Development Associate® (CDA) are specially equipped to provide the highest quality education for young children through training and study of Essentials for Working With Young Children. As the administrator of the Child Development Associate®, the Council for Professional Recognition is at the forefront of ensuring that early childhood educators are aware of and trained in education best practices and the highest quality of care for young children. The Council does this by meeting with many experts in the field, as well as adjacent fields, to discuss, understand, and evaluate the latest research on topics impacting early childhood education. As part of these efforts, we are excited to bring you the second in our new series, Experts Speak, in which the Council sits down with experts to discuss topics that impact the field of early childhood education.
As the end of the year approaches, our society is flooded with numerous toy commercials with the aim of giving responsible adults gift ideas for their little ones during the holiday season. As a result, questions may begin to abound in the minds of parents, guardians, and early childhood educators. What toys are appropriate for my child? Is a toy safe? What toys are from reputable suppliers? In fact, these questions are asked throughout the year, whenever one goes to the store with a child. They are simply brought to the forefront of the mind during the holidays. So, where can the answers to these questions be found?
Product safety expert Nancy Cowles, Executive Director of Kids In Danger, is one such valuable vault of answers. With a degree in elementary education and a concentration in social welfare, Nancy’s career took her to fields in which she would advocate for senior citizens, women, and now, consumers, particularly those with young children. In 2001, she joined Kids In Danger, an organization advocating for safe products for children.
“I started in 2001 and really found that it was an interesting area to work in because people just assume that children’s products are so safe and they’re over tested and regulated,” Nancy tells us, “But in fact, when we started, there wasn’t any requirement that children’s products, including toys, be tested for safety. In some cases, there was a toy standard, but it was a voluntary standard. If something happened, the product could be recalled, but there wasn’t a requirement for manufacturers to make sure it was safe before it went to market. Unfortunately, that left families to find flaws in some of these products, which is what happened to our founders. Since then, we’ve been making sure the products are safe and if it’s not safe, the manufacturers will recall it and provide a refund, new product, or repair.” And that’s a good thing, because there are many benefits when it comes to children playing with toys.
“Children need to play,” Nancy says, “It’s really how they learn everything, and playing, whether it’s make-believe, physical play, or creative ideas, they just need all those opportunities. It’s a wonderful thing because that’s what kids should be doing – using those products to develop physically, mentally, creatively. Toys are important and it’s important they be safe.”*
Nancy goes on to specify that the first and best way to know if a toy is safe is to check the age range. While some parents or early childhood educators may take the age range as a challenge to a child’s intelligence, in reality, the age range has little to do with a user’s intelligence and more to do with the parts involved in a toy and how children at particular ages could use them. For instance, toys labeled for children under three years of age are not allowed to have any small parts as they can be a choking hazard.
Thanks in part to the work of Kids in Danger and other advocacy organizations, parents and early childhood educators can also look to various national and international organizations and agencies for toy safety. Since 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has overseen toy safety within the United States, and ASTM International also sets standards for toy safety. Prior to 2008, it was up to the toy manufacturers to run testing, which would allow issues to unintentionally get past them, such as lead being in paint or tiny magnets that could easily be dislodged.
“There were a number of things that showed that this kind of voluntary testing wasn’t really catching all the possible problems,” Nancy says, “There was a Thomas the Tank Engine that had to be recalled because it had lead on it, and then they had a second recall because the replacement was recalled due to lead in the toy’s paint. They just didn’t have good systems to make sure that they were making parts as safe as possible.”*
“In 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) passed, which made it so the ASTM standard was adopted as a mandatory rule for toy safety. And that really changed things,” She conveys.
As a result, thanks to the efforts of Kids In Danger and the CPSC, most toys are manufactured safely. But that doesn’t mean early childhood educators and families shouldn’t be on guard. With the advent of online sales, there are ways that toys can come into one’s possession that have not undergone safety testing by bypassing major ports where inspectors are stationed. For that reason, it is best to buy from reputable retailers and understand what makes for a safe or unsafe toy.
Nancy points to a few key factors to help recognize an unsafe toy including toys with sharp parts or objects, toys that are heavy, or toys containing a projectile component. However, perhaps the biggest red flag to look out for is if an item could be a choking hazard.
To be certain that toys are safe, Nancy encourages consumers to refer to the annual CPSC Toy-Related Deaths and Injuries report. This report tallies the number of injuries a toy has caused. Currently, there are fewer deaths than injuries from toys. However, it is important to remember that the most dangerous toys for children are uninflated balloons or broken balloons. There are at least several deaths every year of children who get a balloon or a piece of a balloon stuck in their throat which prohibits breathing. Thus, it’s important to remember balloons are not intended for children under 8 years of age.
Another way to know if a toy is safe is to check against recall lists, particularly those provided by the CPSC. “The Consumer Product Safety Commission is where most things will be listed, but start with your search engine,” Nancy says, “If you know the name of the product and add the word ‘recall’ to a Google search, it will bring you to the CPSC page if it’s been recalled.”
It’s even more important to check against recall notices when buying toys second hand. “Manufacturers and the CPSC can post the recall, and retailers will stop the sales of the toys, but they do remain in second hand markets for a long time, both online and in second hand stores. You should always check before you buy.”
If you suspect a toy is unsafe, immediately remove it from a child’s play area. You can also report it to the CPSC via their page SaferProducts – saferproducts.gov, which will help other early childhood educators and guardians of children avoid potentially dangerous toys too. Learning first aid and CPR procedures allows you to be prepared in case of an injury, as advocated for in Essentials for Working With Young Children, the guidebook for CDAs. In addition, have local emergency numbers on hand, including Poison Control, which, as Nancy reminds us, is trained to assist with any items swallowed, including not just potentially toxic substances, but objects as well.
While all these potential concerns come with the use of toys, Nancy emphasizes, “A three-year old can’t misuse a toy. Any way a child plays with a toy is the way it’s going to be played with, especially for younger children.” It’s up to adults to make sure that they are playing with toys safely. In short, toys should not require supervision, but adults should supervise their use regardless.
“In general, there are a lot more safe toys than there are recalls. I always want people to have fun with the kids in their care with safe toys,” Nancy concludes.
To learn more about toy safety, be sure to read through Essentials for Working With Young Children.
—
More information on Nancy Cowles, Kids in Danger, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and ASTM International can be found at:
*For additional information on the following topics related to toy safety, refer to Essentials (Third Edition):
Sources:
Moore, Calvin E., ed. Essentials for Working with Young Children. 3rd ed. Washington, DC: Council for Professional Recognition, 2023.
Brooks, Lauren E. Interview with Nancy Cowles. Personal, June 28, 2024.
“Home – Kids In Danger.” Kids In Danger – Fighting for Product Safety, November 13, 2024. https://kidsindanger.org/.
“The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).” U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Accessed December 2024. https://www.cpsc.gov/Regulations-Laws–Standards/Statutes/The-Consumer-Product-Safety-Improvement-Act.
Division of Hazard Analysis, and Stephanie Bragg, Toy-Related Deaths and Injuries Calendar Year 2023 § (2024).
SaferProducts.gov. Accessed Winter 2024. https://www.saferproducts.gov/.
“Poison Control Homepage.” Poison Control. Accessed December 6, 2024. https://www.poison.org/.
Darrell Brown, Director of Teaching Learning & Quality Practice at It Takes A Village Family of Schools (ITAVA) in Chicago, was recently selected from hundreds of applicants to receive a scholarship from the Council for...
SPONSORED BLOG The new year is right around the corner, filled with new opportunities to grow as an early childhood educator. Maybe you’ve set your sights on earning your CDA credential this year. If so,...
The holiday season is an exciting time of year for me, filled with lights, traditions, family time, and joy. I always look forward to the magic and positivity that’s in the air as people begin...
Early childhood educators play a critical role in the lives of young children and their families around the world. Those who have earned their Child Development Associate® (CDA) are specially equipped to provide the highest...
SPONSORED BLOG As 2024 winds down and we approach a new year, it’s natural to start thinking about goals and resolutions. For early childhood educators, one of the best resolutions you can make is to...
The Council for Professional Recognition is excited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) on November 17- 23, 2024! Commissioned by the U.S. Department of Labor, the 2024 NAW theme, 10 Years...
The Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™, under the stewardship of the Council for Professional Recognition, has long been a cornerstone of the early childhood education sector. The Council is deeply committed to elevating the CDA®...
Introduction The Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™, awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition, is a foundational credential for early childhood educators across the United States. While the CDA® has long been recognized as a...
SPONSORED BLOG If you’re looking to boost your career and make a bigger impact in the lives of the little ones you teach, earning your Child Development Associate®(CDA) credential is a fantastic step forward. And...
Vice President of Strategic Alliances
Elisa Shepherd is the Vice President of Strategic Alliances at the Council, where she leads initiatives to advance the Council’s mission and strategic plan through designing, managing, and executing a comprehensive stakeholder relationship strategy.
With over 25 years of experience in early childhood education (ECE), Elisa has dedicated her career to developing impactful programs, professional development opportunities, and public policies that support working families, young children, and ECE staff. Before joining the Council, Elisa held numerous roles within the childcare industry. Most recently, she served as Associate Vice President at The Learning Experience and as Senior Manager at KinderCare Education, where she influenced government affairs and public policies across 40 states.
Elisa’s commitment to leadership is reflected in her external roles on the Early Care and Education Consortium Board of Directors, the Florida Chamber Foundation Board of Trustees, and as the DEI Caucus Leader for KinderCare Education. She has been recognized as an Emerging Leader in Early Childhood by Childcare Exchange’s Leadership Initiative.
Elisa earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a focus on child development from Pennsylvania State University in State College, PA.
Chief Operations Officer (COO)
Andrew Davis serves as Chief Operating Officer at the Council. In this role, Andrew oversees the Programs Division, which includes the following operational functions: credentialing, growth and business development, marketing and communications, public policy and advocacy, research, innovation, and customer relations.
Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the early care and education field. Most recently, Andrew served as Senior Vice President of Partnership and Engagement with Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, where he led the expansion of state and community-based partnerships to produce more equitable systems of service delivery, improved programmatic quality, and greater outcomes for communities, children and families. Prior to that, he served as Director of Early Learning at Follett School Solutions.
Andrew earned his MBA from the University of Baltimore and Towson University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland – University College.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Jan Bigelow serves as Chief Financial Officer at the Council and has been with the organization since February of 2022.
Jan has more than 30 years in accounting and finance experience, including public accounting, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has held management-level positions with BDO Seidman, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Pew Center for Global Climate Change, Communities In Schools, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and American Humane. Since 2003, Jan has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector where she has been a passionate advocate in improving business operations in order to further the mission of her employers.
Jan holds a CPA from the State of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College. She resides in Alexandria VA with her husband and dog.
Vice President of People and Culture
Janie Payne is the Vice President of People and Culture for the Council for Professional Recognition. Janie is responsible for envisioning, developing, and executing initiatives that strategically manage talent and culture to align people strategies with the overarching business vision of the Council. Janie is responsible for driving organizational excellence through strategic talent practices, orchestrating workforce planning, talent acquisition, performance management as well as a myriad of other Human Resources Programs. She is accountable for driving effectiveness by shaping organizational structure for optimal efficiency. Janie oversees strategies that foster a healthy culture to include embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of the organization.
In Janie’s prior role, she was the Vice President of Administration at Equal Justice Works, where she was responsible for leading human resources, financial operations, facilities management, and information technology. She was also accountable for developing and implementing Equal Justice Works Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy focused on attracting diverse, mission-oriented talent and creating an inclusive and equitable workplace environment. With more than fifteen years of private, federal, and not-for-profit experience, Janie is known for her intuitive skill in administration management, human resources management, designing and leading complex system change, diversity and inclusion, and social justice reform efforts.
Before joining Equal Justice Works, Janie was the Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer for Global Communities, where she was responsible for the design, implementation, and management of integrated HR and diversity strategies. Her work impacted employees in over twenty-two countries. She was responsible for the effective management of different cultural, legal, regulatory, and economic systems for both domestic and international employees. Prior to Global Communities, Janie enjoyed a ten-year career with the federal government. As a member of the Senior Executive Service, she held key strategic human resources positions with multiple cabinet-level agencies and served as an advisor and senior coach to leaders across the federal sector. In these roles, she received recognition from management, industry publications, peers, and staff for driving the creation and execution of programs that created an engaged and productive workforce.
Janie began her career with Verizon Communications (formerly Bell Atlantic), where she held numerous roles of increasing responsibility, where she directed a diversity program that resulted in significant improvement in diversity profile measures. Janie was also a faculty member for the company’s Black Managers Workshop, a training program designed to provide managers of color with the skills needed to overcome barriers to their success that were encountered because of race. She initiated a company-wide effort to establish team-based systems and structures to impact corporate bottom line results which was recognized by the Department of Labor. Janie was one of the first African American women to be featured on the cover of Human Resources Executive magazine.
Janie received her M.A. in Organization Development from American University. She holds numerous professional development certificates in Human Capital Management and Change Management, including a Diversity and Inclusion in Human Resources certificate from Cornell University. She completed the year-long Maryland Equity and Inclusion Leadership Program sponsored by The Schaefer Center for Public Policy and The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights. She is a trained mediator and Certified Professional Coach. She is a graduate of Leadership America, former board chair of the NTL Institute and currently co-steward of the organization’s social justice community of practice, and a member of The Society for Human Resource Management. Additionally, Janie is the Board Chairperson for the Special Education Citizens Advisory Council for Prince Georges County where she is active in developing partnerships that facilitate discussion between parents, families, educators, community leaders, and the PG County school administration to enhance services for students with disabilities which is her passion. She and her husband Randolph reside in Fort Washington Maryland.
Read our monthly e-newsletter and keep up to date on all Council programs and services, as well as the latest news in the world of early care and education. Subscribe today to stay connected with us. You’ll receive timely information on events, webinars, special promotions, and more.
