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C.D.A. -
Child Development Associate
WHAT IS A C.D.A.?
| A CDA (Child Development Associate) is an individual who has
successfully completed a CDA assessment and who 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. |
| A choice of three specializations can be earned (Preschool,
Infant/Toddler/Family Child Care) |
| In Minnesota, according to Child Care Center rules (Chapter 9503), a CDA
with no additional education or experience, qualifies as an assistant
teacher in a preschool or center setting. |
| A CDA with 1560 hours of experience as an assistant teacher, aide, or
student intern, qualifies as a center or preschool teacher. |
STEPS TO EARN A
CDA CREDENTIAL
YOU MUST COMPLETE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS PLUS:
* Be a high school graduate or have a GED,
* Be 18 years or older,
* Have 480 hours of experience working with children within the past 5 years
- Call 1-800-424-4310 (Council for Professional Recognition) for brochure
and beginning information. Or, in metro area call (651) 641-6653.
- Purchase a CDA packet in either Infant/Toddler, Preschool, or Family child
care specialization track. Packets in Spanish are also available. Packets can
be purchased through the Council for Professional Recognition, or at Resources
for Child Caring, 450 N. Syndicate, Suite 5, St. Paul, MN 55104 Price is
$17.75 plus $1.24 tax. If ordering by mail please be sure to include which
specialization you selected and $3.20 for handling.
- Attend 120 hours of formal education/training. (All training must have
occurred within five years of application date) Training can be completed at
one institution/agency or through a combination of sources. (i.e. technical
college, resource and referral agencies, workshops, colleges, etc.) Training
must fit into eight specific content areas, with at least ten hours in each
area. These areas are:
- Planning a safe, healthy, learning environment.
- Steps to advance children's physical and intellectual development.
- Positive ways to support children's social and emotional development.
- Strategies to establish productive relationships with families.
- Strategies to manage an effective program operation.
- Maintaining a commitment to professionalism.
- Observing and recording children's behavior.
- Principles of child growth and development.
- Secure an advisor (eligibility requirements are listed in CDA packet) or
call 1-800-424-4310 for a list of advisors in your area. The advisor will
observe you (with children) for a minimum of two hours and give you feedback
for one hour. Advisor visit(s) need to be completed within six months of
applying for assessment. Your advisor will complete an assessment booklet
(found in CDA packet) and will sign it and leave it with you to turn in to the
National Representative.
- Complete Professional Resource File, instructions are in CDA packets.
- When 120 hours of education, advisor visit and Professional Resource File
are complete, distribute parent questionnaires to the parents of the children
in your care.
- Apply for assessment by either March 1, June 1, September 1 or December 1
of any year. Application form is in CDA packet. Your advisor and director (if
center employee) are required to sign the application. If you are a family
child care provider, you need to complete the director section of the
application. The assessment fee is $325.00
- Wait to hear from the National Representative. (30-120 days) S/he will
make an appointment with you to administer a written test and oral interview.
S/he will collect;
- a copy of your competency goal statements and autobiography (from you
Professional Resource File)
- completed parent questionnaires
- your assessment booklet completed by your advisor
- S/he will also review your Professional Resource File. S/he will send all
results to The Council for Professional Recognition. The Council will review
the information and decide whether to issue the CDA credential. (This process
can take from 30-90 days)
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