The Verification Visit - post

A CDA (Child Development Associate) Professional Development Specialist and a Verification Visit are integral parts of the CDA Credentialing process administered by the Council for Professional Recognition. Here's a breakdown of each:

• CDA Professional Development Specialist: A CDA Professional Development Specialist is an individual appointed by the Council for Professional Recognition to assess candidates' competence in meeting the requirements for the CDA Credential. These specialists are experienced professionals in the field of early childhood education who have undergone specialized training to conduct assessments. ChildCareEd's CDA PD Specialist Tutorial is a guide designed to provide information for Candidates to find and engage a PD Specialist.

  • Role: The role of a CDA Professional Development Specialist is to observe candidates working with children in their chosen CDA setting (Infant-Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care, or Home Visitor), review their professional portfolios, and conduct interviews to assess their knowledge, skills, and practices related to early childhood education.

  • Feedback and Guidance: CDA Professional Development Specialists provide candidates with feedback on their performance during the assessment process and offer guidance on areas for improvement. They play a supportive role in helping candidates navigate the credentialing process and meet the competency standards required for the CDA Credential.

• Verification Visit: A Verification Visit is a component of the assessment process for the CDA Credential. It involves the CDA Professional Development Specialist visiting the candidate's early childhood education setting to observe their interactions with children and verify the information presented in their professional portfolio.

  • Purpose: The purpose of the Verification Visit is to validate the candidate's competency in providing high-quality care and education to young children in their actual work environment. It allows the CDA Professional Development Specialist to see firsthand how the candidate applies their knowledge and skills in practice.

  • Documentation Review: During the Verification Visit, the CDA Professional Development Specialist may review documentation related to the candidate's work experience, training, and professional portfolio to ensure accuracy and completeness.

  • Observation: The Specialist observes the candidate working with children, interacting with families and colleagues, and implementing developmentally appropriate practices. They may also assess the candidate's ability to create a safe and nurturing environment, promote children's learning and development, and engage families in the educational process.

  • Assessment Outcome: The Verification Visit, along with other components of the assessment process, contributes to the overall evaluation of the candidate's competence. Based on the findings from the visit and other assessment activities, the CDA Professional Development Specialist determines whether the candidate meets the requirements for the CDA Credential.

Overall, both the CDA Professional Development Specialist and the Verification Visit play critical roles in the assessment and credentialing process, ensuring that candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and practices necessary to provide high-quality care and education to young children in early childhood education settings.