This quick-reference chart breaks down Maryland child care center staffing requirements in an easy-to-scan format. It’s especially helpful for directors and hiring teams because it summarizes com... Read more
A practical, easy-to-follow tip sheet for early educators introducing solid foods safely in child care settings. In early care and education settings, introduce solid foods when infants show develo... Read more
Week of the Young Child activities celebrate young children's learning and development through play-based, hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and creativity. Popular activities include art p... Read more
If you have no childcare experience, emphasize transferable skills like patience, communication, reliability, and any informal experience (babysitting, tutoring, volunteering) when applying for ent... Read more
Creating the CDA Professional Portfolio involves collecting evidence that demonstrates your knowledge, skills, and competency in early childhood care and education. It typically includes your profe... Read more
The child care workforce requires clearly defined qualifications such as minimum education levels, background checks, CPR/first aid and early childhood credentials or state licensing to ensure care... Read more
Celebrate the last day of winter with low-prep, hands-on activities for birth through school age including sensory play, movement games, winter-to-spring art, and simple STEM experiments that help ... Read more
Signs of #abuse and #neglect can vary depending on the ages of the individuals involved. In #children, some common signs may include unexplained bruises, withdrawal from normal activities, sudden c... Read more
Encuentra maneras de obtener tu CDA con poco o ningún costo usando becas estatales, fondos de desarrollo laboral, apoyo de Head Start o reembolso del empleador. Usa los enlaces por estado para ubi... Read more
¿Terminaste tu capacitación del CDA o tu portafolio y no estás seguro/a de qué sigue? Esta guía te acompaña con los próximos pasos: desde confirmar requisitos y enviar tu solicitud, hasta pr... Read more
Una guía clara sobre la Visita de Verificación del CDA, incluyendo qué sucede antes, durante y después de la visita. Aprende cómo preparar tu portafolio, organizar tu aula (o espacio virtual) ... Read more
¿No estás seguro/a de qué exige el Council después de completar tu capacitación del CDA? Explicamos el cronograma de “examen primero”, cómo programar el Examen CDA, qué sucede durante la... Read more
La sección de Preguntas Frecuentes sobre la Renovación del CDA ofrece respuestas claras a preguntas comunes sobre cómo renovar tu credencial de Child Development Associate (CDA), incluyendo eleg... Read more
¿Quieres saber exactamente cómo escribir tu Portafolio CDA? Si estás viendo las Declaraciones de Competencia del CDA y pensando: “¿Qué se supone que diga?”—esta guía te acompaña paso a... Read more
Let’s count down to Valentine’s Day with kindness! 14 days of simple, kid-friendly actions that build friendship, empathy, and classroom community for mixed ages (0–12). #valentine-day #acti... Read more
The CDA Renewal FAQ provides clear answers to common questions about renewing your Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, including eligibility, required documentation, and renewal timelines... Read more
Want to know exactly how to write your CDA Portfolio? If you’re staring at the CDA Competency Statements and thinking “What do I even say?”—this guide walks you through it step-by-step usin... Read more
The gift of language lets us shape and share our inner worlds, turning private thoughts into shared understanding. It carries culture and memory across generations, preserving stories, values, and ... Read more
The Child Care Infant and Children Weekly Meal/Menu Planner Template provides a structured weekly layout to plan nutritious breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and bottle/breastfeeding schedules for infan... Read more
Not sure what to write for your CDA portfolio? This free template breaks down each competency standard and provides example language you can model. Use it as a guide, then add your own classroom ex... Read more
A clear guide to the CDA Verification Visit, including what happens before, during, and after the visit. Learn how to prepare your portfolio, set up your classroom (or virtual space), and confident... Read more
Not sure what the Council requires after you complete your CDA coursework? We explain the exam-first timeline, how to schedule the CDA Exam, what happens during the Verification Visit, and what to ... Read more
Finished your CDA training or portfolio and not sure what comes next? This guide walks you through the next steps from confirming requirements and submitting your application to scheduling your exa... Read more