CDA - post

What is a CDA?

The Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™ is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education (ECE), serving as a crucial professional benchmark and a formal stepping stone on the pathway to career advancement within the field. The CDA® is based on a core set of competency standards that guide early childhood professionals toward becoming qualified educators of young children.  ChildCareEd provides several training pathways that satisfy the CDA Council’s coursework requirement — for example our CDA Preschool Credential Buy Now $400.00$300.00 and the Birth to Five CDA Credential Buy Now $399.00$299.00, both designed to prepare candidates for the Council’s application process.

What is CDA certification?

The Council for Professional Recognition is a leader in the credentialing of early childhood educators worldwide. They ensure that candidates who earn the Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential are well prepared to foster the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth of young children. Having a CDA® doesn’t just help educators bring out the best in children. It also advances their careers and contributes to the status of our profession. CDA Council https://www.cdacouncil.org/

How does the CDA apply in childcare?

Earning the CDA is a big commitment, but one that creates confident practitioners with a command of today’s best practices for teaching very young children. With a CDA childcare providers will:

• Advance your career
• Meet job requirements
• Reinforce your commitment to early childhood education
• Provide parents with peace of mind
• Understand developmentally appropriate practice
• Increase your confidence

What do CDA classes cover?

Coursework for the CDA requires the completion of 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.

• Planning a safe and healthy learning environment
• Advancing children’s physical and intellectual development
• Supporting children’s social and emotional development
• Building productive relationships with families
• Managing an effective program operation
• Maintaining a commitment to professionalism
• Observing and recording children’s behavior
• Understanding principles of child development and learning

How do you earn a CDA step-by-step?

Earning the CDA involves discrete steps required by the Council for Professional Recognition. Below is a practical, sequenced overview for candidates and program managers who advise them.

1. Complete the required training (120 hours). Choose a program that maps to the eight CDA subject areas; for example ChildCareEd's CDA Infant/Toddler Credential Buy Now $400.00$300.00 or the CDA Preschool Credential Buy Now $400.00$300.00. These courses provide the formal education portion but do not by themselves award the CDA (the Council issues the credential).
2. Accumulate the required work experience (typically 480 hours). The Council requires practical hours working with the age group for your credential (infant/toddler, preschool, or birth-to-five). Keep dated logs and employer verification documents to include in your portfolio.
3. Prepare and submit the Professional Portfolio. The portfolio contains Reflective Competency Statements, work samples, and a professional philosophy statement. If you want guided support, consider the ChildCareEd CDA Preparation: From Training to Application Buy Now $25.00 workshop to reduce errors and speed review.
4. Schedule a Verification Visit (when required) and take the CDA Exam. Many candidates will also have a PD Specialist perform a verification visit and will need to pass the Council’s exam. Follow the Council’s current application timelines and testing rules on their site.
5. Apply to the Council for Professional Recognition. Submit your portfolio and documentation via the Council’s application portal; once approved, you will be scheduled for any remaining requirements and, if successful, will be awarded the CDA credential.

Practical tips: keep PDFs of every verification, use dated classroom logs, and check options for funding or free pathways that may cut your out-of-pocket costs. If you instruct others or manage a program, link staff learning to these concrete milestones so employees can move from training to credentialing efficiently.

How can a CDA advance your career and where is it most valued?

The CDA strengthens professional practice and is recognized by many employers as evidence of competence in infant/toddler and preschool care. Here is how it typically helps:

• Job eligibility and promotion. Many centers list the CDA as a hiring or promotion requirement; some states and employers use it for pay scale movement. See regional guidance such as state-specific CDA requirements if you advise staff about local credentialing rules.
• Professional credibility and better outcomes. The CDA’s focus on developmentally appropriate practice strengthens teachers’ interactions and instructional planning; managers report improved classroom quality after staff complete CDA training (learn whether CDA is right for your program).
• Renewal and continuing education. The CDA must be renewed periodically; renewal courses (available for preschool, infant/toddler, and family child care) refresh practice and maintain credentials. For example, ChildCareEd offers renewal courses for different CDA pathways.
• Specialized pathways. There are specialized CDAs (Home Visitor, Family Child Care) that open specific roles — consult articles such as how to become certified for preschool roles and regional guidance for applying your credential to different settings.

If you are advising staff, compile employer job descriptions, local subsidy or QRIS incentives, and available funding sources. For example, workforce scholarships or employer tuition assistance (see state-start guides) can make CDA completion feasible for more employees. Also review program-level career ladders and align CDA completion to step increases. If you operate in Michigan, consult Michigan’s credentialing guidance and regulations and our state guide to understand how the CDA applies in that jurisdiction (How do Michigan child care providers earn and use a CDA credential?).

Summary: Should I pursue a CDA and what next steps should I take?

If you work with young children and want to formalize your skills, the CDA is a practical, widely recognized pathway. Next steps: choose a ChildCareEd training that matches your age group, document work hours, prepare the portfolio, and use a preparation workshop to reduce application errors. Read firsthand guidance and perspectives in our articles such as Bright Futures: Why CDA Certification is the Career Glow-Up You Need in 2025 and how providers in Michigan use a CDA to expand opportunities. When you’re ready, enroll in the appropriate course, start collecting documentation, and schedule portfolio review with a PD Specialist.

Join the conversation and professional community: #CDA #ECE #credentials #professionaldevelopment #childcare.

H&H Child Care Training Center knows the value of the CDA which is why we are a CDA vendor and sponsor for the CDA Council. H&H offers the CDA completely online. In addition, we have a CDA Professional Development Specialist on staff. Even if our Specialist is unable to travel to your location, H&H has relationships with Specialists all over the country and we are able to help you locate a Specialist in your area to complete your verification visit. H&H tries to make obtaining your CDA Credential as easy as possible. Learn more about H&H's professional recognitions and partner organizations on our Accreditations and Affiliations page.

Stand out from the crowd and become a leader in your work with young children. H&H is here to help you along the way.