Texas providers who obtain the CDA are able to fulfill the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services requirement of 24 clock hours of pre-service training and make a huge step to advancement on the Texas Early Childhood Career Pathway.
Below you will the find the steps needed to obtain the CDA and the easiest way to get it done.
REQUIREMENTS
Earn a high school diploma, GED or be enrolled as a junior or senior in a high school career and technical program in early childhood education.
Complete 120 hours of formal early childhood education training, covering the growth and development of children ages birth to 36 months, with no fewer than 10 training hours in each of the eight CDA® subject areas.
Obtain 480 hours of professional work experience in a center-based setting with children ages birth to 36 months, or 3-5 depending on which CDA you are working to obtain.
Prepare your CDA professional portfolio. This is a collection of reference materials related to your work with children and families.
Select a CDA Professional Development (PD) Specialist™ to conduct your CDA Verification Visit®, which is part of your final assessment. Your PD Specialist will review your professional portfolio, observe you working with the children, complete a Reflective Dialogue with you, and submit score recommendations to the Council.
Apply online using YourCouncil and pay the online assessment fee of $425
H&H Child Care Training Center can be your one stop shop to obtain your CDA. H&H offers the CDA online in all areas:
Preschool https://www.childcareed.com/courses-cda-preschool-credential.html
Infant/Toddler https://www.childcareed.com/courses-cda-infant-toddler-credential.html
Family Child Care https://www.childcareed.com/courses-cda-family-child-care-credential.html
In addition, H&H also has a CDA Professional Development Specialist on staff to conduct verification visits!