What is a CDA?
A Child Development Associate, or CDA, is an individual who has completed a special training program, assessment, and validation process that affirms his or her ability to work with young children and their families.
A CDA is able to meet the specific needs of children and who, with parents and other adults, works to nurture a child’s intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth within a child development framework.
The CDA credential is awarded to child care providers and home visitors who have demonstrated competence in caring for young children by successfully completing the CDA assessment process.
CDA’s are prepared for professional work in child care settings with children ages birth to five years under the following credential types:
- Center-Based
Infant/Toddler Endorsement
Preschool Endorsement
- Family Child Care
- Home Visitor
Who is eligible?
Candidates must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED. Candidates must be observed working in a setting that meets the requirements of the area of specialty selected by the candidate such as center-based, infant/toddler or preschool, family child care, home visitor, or bilingual.
What does it involve?
The core curriculum involves three phases:
I. Field work
II. Seminars and class work
III. Final evaluation and assessment
Candidates must have 120 clock hours of formal education, with no fewer than ten (10) hours in each of the following eight (8) subject areas:
- Planning a safe, healthy learning environment.
- Steps to advance children’s physical and intellectual development.
- Positive ways to support children’s social and emotional development.
- Strategies to establish productive relationships with families.
- Strategies to manage an effective program operation.
- Maintaining a commitment to professionalism.
- Observing and recording children’s behavior.
- Principles of child growth and development.
How do I become a CDA?
- Request an information packet from:
Council For Early Childhood Professional Recognition
2460 16th St. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-3575.
- Select an early childhood education professional to serve as an advisor who will support and guide you as well as observe your work with children.
- Gain working experience with children, based on the specific requirements of the area you select as your specialty.
- Write about your goals for children and what you do to achieve them.
- Compile a file of professional resources you use in your daily work.
- Ask the parents of the children with whom you work to complete a questionnaire about your skills.
- Complete the educational requirements.
- Take a written examination about the principles of developmentally appropriate practice.
- Participate in an interview about your practices with children and families.
What Others Are Saying About the CDA Program...
“Earning my CDA enriched my life and reinforced my work with children.” -Debbie
“It was a wonderful experience for me and other people in our field who have great skills.” -Wanda
“Earning my CDA helped me feel good about myself, allowed me to grow and opened up new opportunities in my career.” –Diane
How do I enroll in CDA classes?
Children, Inc. provides 120 hours of formal classroom instruction taught by experienced, credentialed professionals. Classes are held August-May, twice a month on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., normally held at the Family Learning Center, next to Simon Kenton High School in Independence, KY.
Students who complete the CDA credential may request Northern Kentucky Technical College to consider application of the CDA for 9 hours of college credit towards the Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education.
What is the cost?
The Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition charges a small fee for the application packet. Information can be obtained by calling the CDA Hotline at 1-800-424-4310. There is also a fee of $325* for your final direct assessment (the interview and exam provided by the Council). This is due when you submit your application near the completion of the CDA program. There are grants that may be submitted to help with the final direct assessment cost. The fee for the 120 hours of instruction may be paid for by funds granted to Children, Inc. for eligible candidates. Those not eligible for funding pay a fee of $600*. Some candidates who do not qualify for grant funding are sponsored by their employer.
* Price is subject to change.
Where do I sign up?
Call Chris Kelley at Children, Inc. at (859) 431-2075 for information and to register for the next series of CDA classes that begin in the fall or if you need more information. Space is limited. It’s time to invest in yourself and your professional career choice.
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