To work as a Lead Teacher in a licensed Georgia Child Care Learning Center, you must meet the education credential requirement set by Bright from the Start (DECAL). Georgia recognizes several pathways, and the Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential is one of the most accessible and affordable routes — especially for those starting without a college degree.
The qualifying credential pathways for a licensed center Lead Teacher include:
- A Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC) in Early Childhood Care and Education
- A Technical College Diploma in ECE
- A Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential
- An associate degree or higher in early childhood education or a related field
Georgia Child Care Licensing Rules require lead teachers to have credentials such as a TCC, a diploma, a CDA, or an associate degree. Holding a CDA qualifies you to work as a teacher/lead caregiver in a child care learning center, and also qualifies you to work as a provider in a family child care learning home.
How ChildCareEd helps you get there:
ChildCareEd is a DECAL-approved Training Sponsor Organization (GaPDS code TR-ASO-76), and offers the full 120-hour CDA training required to earn your credential — fully online and self-paced. The program covers all eight CDA subject areas required by the Council for Professional Recognition and prepares you for your portfolio and verification visit.
ChildCareEd's CDA programs include:
- Birth to Five CDA Credential with Portfolio Review
- CDA Preschool Credential with Portfolio Review
- CDA Infant/Toddler Credential with Portfolio Review
Because ChildCareEd is DECAL-approved, your completed hours upload directly to your GaPDS record — and the CDA training cost may be covered through the DECAL Scholars Program, which ChildCareEd participates in. Once you have your GaPDS profile and a qualifying paystub, you can apply for scholarship support and request a training invoice directly from ChildCareEd.
