Earn your CDA
This is the most accessible pathway, and where ChildCareEd helps with nearly the entire learning side. Family child care licensees are not required to hold college ECE units under Title 22. The core requirements are a CDSS orientation, EMSA health and safety training, background clearance (Live Scan), and a TB test.
Where ChildCareEd directly helps:
- Pre-service knowledge & preparation — ChildCareEd offers a 24-Hour Family Child Care Pre-Service Training package and related courses to help home providers prepare. Note this supplements, and does not replace, the required CDSS orientation.
- Annual 15-hour training — fully covered by ChildCareEd's California Registry-approved courses.
- CDA Family Child Care Credential — optional but strengthens quality and subsidy eligibility: CDA Family Child Care Credential with Portfolio Review
Important Note:
California requires certain pre-service trainings that cannot be completed through ChildCareEd, including:
- CDSS Orientation
- EMSA Pediatric CPR/First Aid
- EMSA Preventive Health Practices
