CDA Certification Georgia - post

If you work in early childhood in Georgia, you may hear people talk about the CDA Certification (also called the CDA Credential). It is a well-known national credential that can help you grow in your childcare career. The good news is that you can complete your training online, stay organized with helpful tools, and get support with your Professional Portfolio. #CDA #GeorgiaChildCare

What is CDA Certification, and who gives it?

The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is a national credential awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition (the CDA Council).

ChildCareEd can help you with CDA training and portfolio support, but ChildCareEd does not issue the CDA Credential. The CDA Credential is awarded only by the CDA Council after you complete all Council requirements.

Why do Georgia educators want a CDA?

Many Georgia childcare programs prefer (and sometimes require) educators to have strong training and credentials. A CDA can help you:

• Show you have important childcare skills

• Build confidence in the classroom

• Support job applications and career growth

• Meet program goals for qualified staff

Georgia also has ongoing training expectations for childcare staff, and training topics often include areas like language/literacy and child development. #EarlyChildhoodEducation

What are the main steps for earning a CDA in Georgia?

The exact details can depend on your setting (infant/toddler, preschool, family child care), but the CDA process usually includes:

• Professional education/training

• Work experience with children

• Professional Portfolio

• CDA Exam

• Verification Visit (observed by a PD Specialist)

Also, the CDA Council announced an “exam-first” change starting August 1, 2025, meaning candidates must complete the CDA exam before scheduling the verification visit. This matters for many educators applying in 2026.

For Georgia-specific reminders and 2026 notes, read this related article:
https://www.cdacertification.com/a/cda-2026-updates-what-georgia-educators-should-know.html

Which ChildCareEd courses can help with CDA Certification?

Here are 3 ChildCareEd training options that connect directly to CDA goals and success:

• CDA Introduction (a FREE course that helps you to understand the process)
  https://www.childcareed.com/courses-cda-introduction.html

• Birth to Five CDA Credential with Portfolio Review
  https://www.childcareed.com/courses-birth-to-five-cda-credential-with-portfolio-review-4032.html

• CDA Preschool Credential with Portfolio Review
  https://www.childcareed.com/courses-cda-preschool-credential.html

   

   

How does ChildCareEd’s Portfolio Review process work?

Your Professional Portfolio is a big part of the CDA process. With ChildCareEd, the portfolio support process works like this:

After you complete the training portion, you must upload your Professional Portfolio documents as PDF files only.

Required documents include:

• Reflective Competency Statements for CS I–CS VI

• Professional Philosophy Statement

Then, ChildCareEd PD Specialists will:

• Approve your submissions, or

• Provide feedback and request revisions and resubmission

Your ChildCareEd CDA training certificate is issued only after:

• All coursework is finished, and

• All portfolio documents are accepted

Helpful tip: Save your files with clear names, like:

• CS_I_Reflective_Statement.pdf

• Professional_Philosophy_Statement.pdf

What do you need for the CDA Council, beyond the training course?

Your training course can fulfill the training portion, but earning the CDA Credential requires the CDA Council’s full process.

Important CDA Council requirements can include:

• Work experience hours (commonly at least 480 hours)

• Submission of your Professional Portfolio digitally when you apply

• Passing the CDA Exam (and remember: exam-first starting Aug. 1, 2025)

• A Verification Visit (typically with a PD Specialist)

➡️ Learn more about credentialing steps and apply through the CDA Council’s official website:

Where can Georgia educators find help paying for CDA training?

Cost is a real concern, so it helps to look for funding options and plan ahead.

Start with this ChildCareEd resource:
https://www.childcareed.com/r-00708-how-to-get-your-cda-for-free.html

Georgia educators may also have state-based support options, like CDA scholarships through DECAL Scholars.

What tools can help you stay organized while you work on CDA?

CDA has many steps, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Using a tracker makes it simpler.

Use this ChildCareEd resource to stay on track:
https://www.childcareed.com/r-00709-cda-next-steps-tracker.html

Try this simple routine:

• Pick one CDA task per week (example: write one competency statement)

• Set aside 20 minutes, 3 times a week

• Save everything in one folder (computer or Google Drive)

Little steps add up! #CareerGrowth

Important disclaimer

ChildCareEd provides CDA training and portfolio support, but does not issue the CDA Credential. Completing a course (even with Portfolio Review) does not mean you have earned a CDA Credential. The CDA Credential is awarded only by the Council for Professional Recognition after you meet all Council requirements.

Follow ChildCareEd for CDA tips and updates

For helpful reminders, training tips, and resources, follow ChildCareEd on social media:

👉 Follow ChildCareEd on Instagram: https://instagram.com/childcareed