Text Box: CDA Work Page

Text Box: For further information EMAIL: Rhonda.Swanson@presentation.edu Text Box: CDA (Child Development Associate Degree)  

What is the CDA?

The Child Development Associate is a national credentialing program administered by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition in Washington, DC that is designed to enhance the quality of child care. The CDA Credential is awarded to individuals who have completed the national CDA requirements and who have proven their competence to work with young children and their families through a process of on-the-job performance evaluations, review by other early childhood professionals, and successful completion of an assessment by the national Council for Early Childhood Recognition.

A person who has earned the CDA Credential is referred to as a "CDA" or a Child Development Associate. A CDA can earn the credential in one of several emphasis areas:

  • Center-based Preschool
  • Center-based Infant Toddler
  • Family Child Care

CDA Competencies and Functional Areas:

The CDA is a demonstrated credential.  This means that a CDA candidate must demonstrate their knowledge, skill, and competency in caring for young children before the CDA Credential will be awarded.  Candidates are required to demonstrate competency in six general areas, which are further organized in thirteen specific developmental and programmatic functions.
 


Competency Goal

Functional Area
To establish safe, healthy, learning environments
  • Safe
  • Healthy
  • Learning Environments
To advance physical and intellectual competence
  • Physical Development
  • Cognitive Development
  • Language Development
  • Creativity
To support social and emotional development and to provide positive guidance
  • Self Identity (Emotional)
  • Social Development
  • Guidance
To establish positive and productive relationships with parents
  • Working with Families
To ensure a well-run, purposeful program responsive to participant’s needs
  • Program Management
To maintain a commitment to professionalism
  • Professionalism

 


















 

 

What are the Eligibility Requirements for CDA Candidates?

CDA candidates are individuals interested in professional growth in the early childhood field. Typically, CDA candidates are center staff, Head Start staff, family or group child care providers, or others who work with young children age birth to five years of age, in group care settings. 

To begin the CDA process, an individual must:

  • Hold a high school degree or GED
  • Be at least 18 years of age or older
  • Speak, read, and write well enough to fulfill the responsibilities of a CDA
  • In North Dakota, the candidate must also be able to pass a criminal background check and qualify for employment in a licensed child care program, whether home or center.

What is the Value of the CDA?

The CDA Credential is awarded to an individual rather than to a program or facility.  Because the CDA Credential is nationally recognized, individuals who have earned the CDA can use the Credential to qualify for employment in early childhood anywhere in the United States. The CDA is a benchmark standard in most state’s early childhood professional development system.

In South Dakota, the CDA credential meets state licensing requirements for the position of:

  • operator of a group family daycare home
  • individual responsible for program planning and staff supervision in a childcare center
  • OST supervisor

For more information go to the Council for Professional Recognition:  www.cdacouncil.org

 

 

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FORMS NEEDED:

Download these forms and send to Early Childhood Partners, 1500 N. Main Street, Aberdeen SD  57401