The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is the most widely recognized credential in early
childhood education (ECE) in the
U.S
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territor ...
.
The credential is awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition. To earn a CDA, applicants must demonstrate their competency in areas which support the healthy growth and
development of children
Child development involves the Human development (biology), biological, developmental psychology, psychological and emotional changes that occur in human beings between birth and the conclusion of adolescence. Childhood is divided into 3 stages o ...
, both in center-based care, and in home visiting programs.
History
In 1973, the
U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) funded the Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) to improve the quality of
early childhood education
Early childhood education (ECE), also known as nursery education, is a branch of education theory that relates to the teaching of children (formally and informally) from birth up to the age of eight. Traditionally, this is up to the equival ...
(ECE.) The CDA was based on a combination of verified training hours, objective testing, and direct observation of the candidate in the classroom environment.
The CDA encompasses both working with children in the ECE setting and interaction with parents or guardians. The first CDA
credential was awarded in 1975.
The CDA became the sole nationally recognized ECE credential, accepted in all
50 states and U.S. Territories. An initial CDA credential was valid for a period of five years, with a renewal valid for a period of three years.
In 1985, ACYF, in cooperation with the
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) created a separate non-profit organization for the administration of the CDA Credential. The ''Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition'' was founded to administer the CDA program. In 2003, The Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition changed its name to ''Council for Professional Recognition''.
In May 2012, the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition announced that the CDA Credential process will be updated to include a self-paced online application process and proctored examinations at
Pearson VUE testing centers. This CDA 2.0 process began on June 1, 2013.
The Credential
The CDA Credential is offered in four settings and is additionally available in
bilingual and
Spanish categories.
*
Preschool
A preschool, also known as nursery school, pre-primary school, or play school or creche, is an educational establishment or learning space offering early childhood education to children before they begin compulsory education at primary scho ...
– For candidates working with children ages three to five years of age.
*
Infant
An infant or baby is the very young offspring of human beings. ''Infant'' (from the Latin word ''infans'', meaning 'unable to speak' or 'speechless') is a formal or specialised synonym for the common term ''baby''. The terms may also be used t ...
/
Toddler – For candidates working with children from birth to three years of age
*
Family Childcare – For candidates working with children from birth to five years of age in a home-based child care center or business
* Home Visitor – For candidates working directly with parents/caregivers in early child care programs that conduct visits to individual homes.
*
Military School Age – specific standards for military teachers and Family Child Care providers.
In 2012, the program was expanded to include GED holders and for high school students enrolled in early educational career-technical and family consumer science programs. In 2012, the Council for Professional Recognition awarded its 300,000th credential.
Credential framework
The credentials involve two main areas: the application, and the observation and testing process.
Each credential type focuses on six Competency Standards and thirteen Functional Areas. With the application, candidates submit documentation of 120 hours of formal
Early childhood education
Early childhood education (ECE), also known as nursery education, is a branch of education theory that relates to the teaching of children (formally and informally) from birth up to the age of eight. Traditionally, this is up to the equival ...
training in the appropriate age group, 480 hours of professional experience in the appropriate age group, formal observation by a Council for Professional Recognition certified Professional Development Specialist (PDS), computer-based CDA examination, and a statement of
ethical conduct. Training can be completed through various methods such as sponsored training programs (
Head Start), four year colleges, community colleges, and various resource and referral agencies.
Once the Council for Professional Recognition has reviewed the application, a PDS will conduct a Verification Visit. During the Verification Visit, the PDS will conduct the R.O.R. model, which includes an observation and a reflection, and review supporting documentation including proof of infant and toddler/
Pediatric first aid certification.
Once all the parts have been completed, the Council reviews the submitted application in conjunction with the results of the CDA Exam and the Professional Development Specialist's
feedback
Feedback occurs when outputs of a system are routed back as inputs as part of a chain of cause-and-effect that forms a circuit or loop. The system can then be said to ''feed back'' into itself. The notion of cause-and-effect has to be handled ...
and issues a CDA Credential.
See also
*
Teacher training
Notes and references
{{Reflist
* FACS Classroom Solutions E-zine. Council for Professional Recognition Announces CDA 2.0. McGraw Hill Education. May 17, 2012
* Council for Professional Recognition. The Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program and Competency Standards: Preschool Edition. 1st Edition. Washington, DC. 2013
* Council for Professional Recognition. The Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program and Competency Standards: Infant-Toddler Edition. 1st Edition. Washington, DC. March 2013
* Council for Professional Recognition. The Child Development Associate Assessment System and Competency Standards: Family Child Care Providers. 2nd Edition. Washington, DC. 2011
* Council for Professional Recognition. The Child Development Associate Assessment System and Competency Standards: Home Visitors. 2nd Edition. Washington, DC. 2013
* Exchange Every Day. Child Care Exchange November 23, 2012
External links
Early Childhood CDA HelpEarly Childhood CDA Help with CDA 2.0Council for Professional Recognition
Early childhood education in the United States