If you’re a child care professional in Maryland, you already know how valuable continuing education can be. The 30-Hour CDA Bridge Bundle Buy Now $300.00$249.00 is designed to help you take the next big step—from your 90-hour certification to earning the highly respected Child Development Associate’s (CDA) Credential. Buy Now $399.00$299.00 Wondering if this is your path forward? Let’s find out!

What does the CDA Bridge Bundle include?

Unlike general training courses, the CDA Bridge Bundle was created for Maryland child care providers who already hold the specified 90-hour certification. This program is a specialized bridge intended to provide additional CDA-related training; confirm that the pathway matches your coursework and the Council’s current requirements. Learn more about CDA training and available resources.

By focusing on the areas the 90-hour course doesn’t fully cover, the Bridge Bundle ensures you’re well-prepared to meet CDA standards—without unnecessary repetition.

Who may benefit from a CDA Bridge Bundle?

This training is perfect if you:

• Have already completed the Maryland 90-hour certification

• Want to advance your #career and meet higher state standards

• Are looking to boost your professional credibility with families and employers

• Plan to eventually pursue leadership roles in #early-childhood-education

If this sounds like you, the CDA Bridge Bundle may be exactly what you need!

What should you verify before enrolling?

First, compare your completed training records with the prerequisites for the specific bundle. The bundle descriptions identify the prior 90-hour coursework expected for each pathway; confirm that your certificates document the relevant Growth and Development and curriculum courses for your age group or setting. If your coursework, role, or setting differs, ask ChildCareEd and your Maryland licensing contact whether this pathway fits your circumstances before enrolling.

Next, distinguish training from credentialing. A bridge bundle is training intended to complete the formal education component; it does not itself award a CDA Credential or establish that you meet every Council requirement. Review the Council for Professional Recognition’s current application steps, experience requirements, portfolio instructions, examination process, and any applicable visit requirements before planning your timeline. For a broader overview, see CDA Bridge: You Have Your 90 Hours—What Comes Next? and What Is a CDA Credential?

Finally, check whether funding or reimbursement is available to you before making a purchase, since eligibility and availability can change. Maryland providers can review Maryland CDA scholarship and grant options and confirm current terms directly with the program offering assistance. Keep copies of course certificates and correspondence so you can resolve questions about your records later.

Which CDA Bridge Bundle options are available?

At ChildCareEd, we offer three tailored CDA Bridge Bundles, so you can choose the one that best fits your role and goals:

• Infant & Toddler CDA Bridge Bundle Buy Now $200.00

• Preschool CDA Bridge Bundle Buy Now $300.00$249.00

• Family Child Care CDA Bridge Bundle Buy Now $200.00

Each track focuses on age-appropriate skills, knowledge, and strategies while aligning with CDA competency standards.

What can a CDA add after a 90-hour certification?

Earning your CDA Credential goes beyond checking a box—it can support professional growth, although career outcomes vary by employer and role. For background on the credential, read an overview of the Child Development Associate certification. For a closer look at how the credential may support confidence and credibility in daily classroom practice, read how a CDA can boost confidence and credibility in the early learning classroom.

• Enhance your professional credibility and confidence

• Open up more career opportunities and advancement potential

• Build stronger relationships with children, families, and colleagues

• Align your skills with national standards of excellence

Check out our article, Bridging the Gap Between the 90-Hour and CDA Credential for Maryland Providers, to dive deeper into why this step is so valuable.

How can you prepare for the CDA process?

In addition to your Bridge Bundle training, you’ll want to start building your CDA portfolio—a key part of the credentialing process. To help you, we’ve created a #free tool: the Birth to Five CDA Credential Professional Portfolio Guide Buy Now $0.00.

This resource provides structure, examples, and step-by-step instructions to make portfolio creation easier and less #stressful.

What should you keep in mind about the Maryland 90-hour certification?

The 90-hour certification and a CDA Credential serve different purposes. If you are unsure whether your prior coursework fits a bundle, gather your certificates and course descriptions before contacting ChildCareEd or your Maryland licensing contact. Ask which specific courses or competencies are missing, whether the answer depends on your age-group setting, and what documentation to retain. Getting clarification before enrolling can help you choose the appropriate pathway and avoid relying on an assumption.

The article’s bridge pathway is presented as an option for Maryland providers who have completed specified 90-hour coursework and want to pursue the CDA’s formal education requirement. Do not assume that holding a 90-hour certificate automatically grants a CDA, satisfies every CDA requirement, or determines a provider’s licensing status. Requirements depend on the applicable program, role, credential setting, and the current rules of the relevant authorities.

Before relying on a course for a Maryland licensing or workforce requirement, confirm its current recognition and applicability with the Maryland Office of Child Care or the appropriate state contact. Check the applicable regulation or official guidance for your role and setting, and ask whether your existing coursework is documented in the way the agency requires. For more on the distinction between training and state credential levels, see Does the 90-Hour Child Care Certification Automatically Give You Maryland Credential Level 3? This check is especially important if your prior coursework was completed under a different pathway or for a different age group.

How can you decide whether a CDA Bridge Bundle fits your goals?

If you are considering a next step after your 90-hour certification, compare the bundle options with your professional goals and verify that the pathway fits your coursework and credential setting. The CDA is a nationally recognized credential, but completing a bridge bundle alone does not award it. Maryland providers exploring other training pathways can also review guidance on earning a CDA in Maryland. Continue building your knowledge in #early-childhood education.

Ready to bridge the gap? Enroll today in the Infant & Toddler, Preschool, or Family Child Care CDA Bridge Bundle and take the next big step in your career journey!

And don’t forget—follow ChildCareEd on social media for more resources, tips, and updates to support you every step of the way.

Summary: What are the key next steps?

Choose the CDA setting that matches your professional role, verify that your completed 90-hour coursework fits the selected bridge pathway, and check current Maryland and Council requirements before enrolling or applying. Treat the bundle as training support—not as the CDA Credential itself—and keep your certificates and portfolio materials organized. If eligibility or state recognition is unclear, confirm it with the Maryland Office of Child Care, your licensing specialist, or the Council for Professional Recognition before relying on an assumption.