Child Care Providers ‐ CDA
What is the CDA?
The National Child Development Associate (CDA) program credentials qualified teachers who work with
children birth to age five. The Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition operates the
Child Development Associate credentialing program as a major national effort to improve the
quality of child care. Focusing on the skills of the child care providers, the program is designed
to provide performance‐based training, assessment, and credentialing of child care staff, family
child care providers, and home visitors.
Why is a CDA important?
Research clearly shows that education and specialized training in early childhood practice positively
impacts the quality of an early learning program. The purpose of a CDA is to enhance the quality of
child care by defining, evaluating, and recognizing competence, based on the training and
performance of the child care provider. The CDA is designed to evaluate and improve the skill of
child care providers in center‐based care, as well as family child care programs.
Teachers who earn a CDA complete:
• Hands‐on experience with a specific age group
• Formal child development training and education
• Observations by a qualified advisor
• A professional resource file
• Gathering of parent questionnaires
• An oral interview and written test
How do I get started?
Choose your credentialing setting:
To learn more about the Child Development Associate or to purchase an application packet, go to:http://www.cdacouncil.org/cda.htm• Center‐based Infant/Toddler
• Center‐based Preschool
• Family Child CarePersonal requirements‐must be 18 years of age or older, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, be able to speak, read, and write well enough to fulfill the responsibility of a CDA Candidate.
Educational requirements‐have 120 hours of formal child care training (minimum 10 hours in each of the eight subject areas) taken in the last five years from an agency or organization with expertise in early childhood teacher preparation.
Experience requirements‐must complete 480 hours of experience within the last five years working with children in the designated setting in which you are applying for credentialing: Center‐based Infant/Toddler, Center‐based Preschool, Family Child Care.
Order an official CDA application packet ‐ this packet contains all the information and step by step instructions on how to reach your CDA goal.
Or send $18.00 (plus $5 shipping/handling) to:
The Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition
2460 16th Street NW
Washington DC 20009-3575
Credit card orders:
The Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition
www.cdacouncil.org
(800) 424-4310
Be sure to specify which CDA packet (Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care)
you are ordering.
Contact us if you:
• Would like help with your professional development plan
• If you are looking for a CDA advisor
• If you are interested in becoming a CDA advisor
• Want help finding college coursework to attain a CDA
• Need help setting up your CDA resource file
• Or for any questions you have concerning professional development
You can email our Professional Development Coordinator, Kim vonSoosten or call 1‐800‐279‐2372.
E-Learning is Now Available!
Courses offered are:
120 Hour CDA Credential Training - $300
45 Hour CDA Credential Renewal Training - $235
8 Hour Child Abuse Awareness for Center Staff - $55
8 Hour Child Abuse Awareness for Family Childcare - $55
College credit may be available - all courses are CEU approved Click here to learn more.
