Erin DelRegno
What is a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential?
The CDA is a credentialing program for Early Childhood Educators working with children ages birth to five years old. It doesn’t just look at the knowledge you’ve learned through trainings; it allows candidates to demonstrate their skills and abilities used in their work to meet the needs of children, work with families and nurture physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth of a child. It assesses candidates with an exam, an observation of them working with children, and a review of a professional portfolio created by the candidate.
What are the benefits of earning a Child Development Associate (CDA)?
- Whether you worked in this field for a long time or you are new, there is always new research to learn about young children. This helps you learn and understand more about developmentally appropriate practices when working with children.
- Your confidence will grow as you get an opportunity to have hundreds of hours of hands-on experience, get useful feedback from an observer, and gain knowledge before moving forward in your education.
- It shows your professional commitment to the field. This is beneficial for centers looking for highly qualified staff with skills and knowledge in Early Childhood Education (ECE).
- The CDA Credential is the first step many Early Childhood Educators take. Many community colleges will grant you credit towards your associates degree for attaining this credential.
- This credential is recognized nationwide (in all 50 states). It moves with you wherever you go.
- Parents will have peace of mind as you are working with their child. They will trust and have confidence in you.
What types of CDA credential settings can you choose from?
You can choose the credential you are working toward, based on the current group of children with whom you are working. The following are the CDA settings from which you choose:
- Center-based Preschool (3-5 years)
- Center-based Infant/Toddler (birth-36 months)
- Family Child Care (birth-5 years)
- Home Visitor (birth-5 years)
* Bilingual Specialization – You can work toward this in any of the above settings if you work in a bilingual setting, speak English and a second language daily and consistently, and are able to speak, read, and write well in both English and the second language.
What do I need to be eligible for a CDA Credential?
- A high school diploma or GED
- 120 hours of formal ECE training completed (need at least ten hours in each of the 8 subject areas)
- 480 hours professional work experience in the selected setting (within 3 years of submitting application)
- CDA professional portfolio prepared by following detailed instructions in competency standards book
- Identify a CDA Professional Development (PD) Specialist who will conduct your Verification Visit (within 6 months of submitting application)
How do I apply and complete the process?
- Submit an online application or complete and submit a paper application.
- Send a non-refundable application fee of $425 with your application.
- Once the application is reviewed, you will receive notification from the Council for Professional Recognition.
- After receiving the notification, schedule your CDA verification visit with the specialist and schedule the CDA exam through Pearson VUE.
How do I renew?
- Download the renewal procedures guide for your setting on the CDA Council website.
- Complete 45 clock hours (4.5 CEU’s).
- Receive and show proof of First Aid & Pediatric CPR.
- Show proof of a membership in an ECE professional organization.
- Submit the training verification form, completed by the director (ECE reviewer).
- Submit the application and above information with the application fee
($125 if submitted online, and $150 if submitted by paper).
*You renew your CDA every 3 years. The expiration date is on your certificate. Renewal applications can be submitted six months prior to the expiration date.
Are you worried about the cost?
The initial cost can be a little scary, but it is worth it. First thing you can do is ask the organization you work for, because if this is a job requirement, they may pay the application cost in the process of getting your CDA.
In Pennsylvania, there are some other options to check out. Look into the T.E.A.C.H Early Childhood PA Scholarship and the Rising STARS tuition assistance program. Information on these are on the PA Keys website (www.pakeys.org). For other states, links for scholarship options are located on the CDA Council website.
Reference & Resource
The following link is to the Council for Professional Recognition’s website. Click this for more CDA information, to purchase needed materials, to find a PD Specialist for your observation, and to apply for your CDA: http://www.cdacouncil.org/index.php.
