The Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program
The Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition operates the Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credentialing Program. The CDA Program represents a national effort to credential qualified caregivers who work with children from birth through age five.
A Child Development Associate is an individual who has successfully completed a CDA assessment and has been awarded the CDA Credential. S/he is able to meet the specific needs of children and works with parents and other adults to nurture children’s physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth in a child development framework.
Assessment Requirements
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Hold a high school diploma or GED
- Have 480 hours of experience working with children
- Have 120 clock hours of formal education
Assessments occur four times a year and require the candidate to contact the Council to apply. The assessment fee is $325. In Delaware, the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Project provides scholarships for the assessment. If eligible, T.E.A.C.H. will pay 85% of the assessment fee. T.E.A.C.H. will also assist in finding a CDA advisor and award a $150 bonus once the CDA is obtained.
CDA Credentials are awarded to individuals who have demonstrated competence in their ability to meet the CDA Competency Goals through their work with children. There are 13 Functional Areas from which the competency goals are derived. They are Safety, Health, Learning Environment, Physical, Cognitive, Communication, Creative, Self, Social, Guidance, Families, Program Management, and Professionalism.
Please visit the Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood for addition information on training.
