Child Development Associate CDA Preparation Program

Child
Development
Associate
CDA Preparation Program
After being in child care for 15 years, I decided to
make early childhood education a career instead of
a job. Earning my CDA is my first step.
— Jennifer Lyons,
Infant-Toddler Teacher
FIND OUT:
• What a CDA is
• Who can earn one
• Where & When the
program is offered
• Why you should earn
a CDA!
What is A CDA?
why should i earn a cda?
The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is
the most widely recognized credential in early childhood
education (ECE) and is the best first step on the path
of career advancement in ECE. The distinctive CDA
Credential is the only nationally-recognized, portable,
competency-based credential of its kind in the country.
Why Should I Earn a CDA?
A Child Development Associate is an individual who
has successfully completed a CDA Assessment and has
been awarded the CDA Credential by the Council for
Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C. 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.
The 4C for Children Preparation Program
Offers You:
• It is the only nationally recognized, portable, competencybased credential of its kind in the country.
• You will gain knowledge and master skills that will benefit
children throughout school and life.
• You will learn to work more effectively with families.
• Convenient class times and locations
• Skilled instructors with years of experience in early
childhood education
• Assistance with documentation requirements and preparing
for the CDA Exam and Verification Visit
• The opportunity to learn within a community of other early
childhood education professionals
Investing your time towards obtaining a CDA is
a major and fulfilling investment in yourself and
the children you care for. It’s a must do! I’m
glad I did!
— Jameka Parker.
Family Child Care Provider
Cincinnati CDA class that completed preparation in 2012.
Who can earn a CDA?
Personal
1. You must hold a high school diploma or equivalent, or be
a junior or senior in a high school/vocational education
program in early education.
2. You must be able to speak, read and write well enough to
fulfill the responsibilities of a CDA Candidate.
3. You must sign a statement of ethical conduct.
Experience
The Candidate must have had, within the past three years,
at least 480 hours of experience (12 weeks of full-time work)
working with children:
• aged birth to three years in a group setting; or
• aged three to five years in a group setting; or
• aged birth to five years in a family child care setting.
This experience can be accumulated while the Candidate
is earning her/his training hours and preparing required
documentation.
Setting
Center-Based: Candidates must be able to be observed in
a center-based, state approved setting. Candidates earning a
preschool credential are assessed working with children aged
three to five years. Infant/Toddler Candidates are assessed
working with children birth to 36 months.
Family Child Care: Candidates must be able to be observed in
a family child care setting that meets at least the minimum level
of applicable state and local regulations. Candidates are assessed
working with children aged birth to five years.
I thought I was on top of things until I started
taking CDA classes. They go more in depth and
help you become more educated about children.
— Volanda Oliver-Brice.
Preschool Teacher
Three steps to earning a cda
Step One:
Training, Collection of Documents and Application
Training
CDA Candidates must earn at least 120 clock hours of training
which must be documented, with no fewer than ten hours in each
of the following content areas:
1. Planning a safe, healthy learning environment
2. Steps to advance children’s physical and intellectual
development
3. Positive ways to advance children’s social and emotional
development
4. Strategies to establish productive relationships with families
5. Strategies to manage an effective program operation
6. Maintaining a commitment to professionalism
7. Observing and recording children’s behavior
8. Principles of child development and learning
Collection of Documents
Center-based and family child care CDA Candidates must submit
documents that verify their competence in early child care and
education. These include:
• A Professional Portfolio: a personal philosophy
statement, resource collection, and reflective statements
of competence based on the CDA Candidate’s work with
young children and their families.
• Family Questionnaires: feedback from families with
children in the Candidate’s classroom or family child care
home.
Application
When the training and the documentation is complete, the
CDA Candidate sends the CDA application to the Council for
Professional Recognition.
Three steps to earning a cda, CON’T
Step Two:
CDA Exam and Verification Visit
CDA Exam
The CDA Candidate completes a CDA Exam at a local Pearson
Vue testing center. The CDA Exam consists of 65 multiple choice
questions. The only computer skill needed to complete the CDA
Exam is a single click using a mouse. No scrolling, typing, or
double clicking is required.
Verification Visit
The CDA Candidate selects a Professional Development Specialist
(PDS) who will conduct the Verification Visit. The PDS reviews the
documentation and training records, observes the CDA Candidate
working the children in their group, and conducts a reflective
dialogue.
Step Three:
Credential Decision
The CDA Exam scores (sent to the Council by Pearson Vue) and
the Verification Visit scores (sent to the Council by the PDS)
are combined and a decision is made whether to issue the CDA
Credential. The CDA Credential is valid for three years and may be
renewed for the same setting and age level endorsement.
I would like to thank 4C for providing a
professional experience for four of my staff.
Each was provided with a very positive
experience and their individual growth has been
wonderful to watch.
— Debbie Frazier.
Director
4c is here to help
Coaching and One-on-One Assistance
Based on community need and request, 4C has the following
optional services available upon request:
Optional Coaching
Candidates not enrolled in the 4C CDA Preparation Program may
hire 4C coaches to assist with the following CDA requirements:
• Professional Portfolio assistance/review
• CDA Exam preparation
• Verification Visit Preparation
• Development of an education plan to meet CDA
requirements
Assistance in meeting the above requirements is provided as part
of the 4C CDA Preparation Program.
Ongoing Professional Development Opportunities
Ongoing training opportunities can be found on the 4C Web site.
Visit www.4cforchildren.org/pdo for a list of our workshops
and classes.
Remember 4C When It’s Time To Renew!
Please contact your local 4C office for more information regarding
CDA Renewal opportunities.
4C does a great job with the CDA classes. I hope many more
teachers are lucky enough to go through the program. I
learned so much!
— Christy Phillips.
Preschool Teacher
4c cda preparation program
4C Miami Valley
1000 N. Keowee St.
Dayton, Ohio 45404
937-220-9660 x1333
4C Southwest Ohio
1924 Dana Ave.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45207
513-758-1333
4C Kentucky
525 W Fifth Street, #215
Covington, Kentucky 41011
859-781-3511 x1333