The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is a certification in early childhood education that is widely recognized and valued. It is based on a core set of competency standards that guide early childhood professionals towards becoming qualified educators of young children. The CDA Credential is an opportunity for educators working with children from birth to age 5 to demonstrate and strengthen their knowledge, understanding, and practices when teaching in early education.
To obtain a CDA Credential, applicants must complete the following steps:
- Complete 120 hours of professional education in early childhood education.
- Prepare a professional portfolio.
- Schedule and complete a verification visit with a CDA Professional Development Specialist.
- Pass the CDA Exam.
- Apply for the CDA Credential.
The CDA Credential is a big commitment, but it creates confident practitioners with a command of today’s best practices for teaching very young children. It is also a major professional development learning experience and essential resource moving into the field. The benefits of obtaining a CDA Credential include advancing your career, meeting job requirements, reinforcing your commitment to early childhood education, providing parents with peace of mind, and increasing your confidence.
