What is a CDA?

The Child Development Associate is a national credentialing program administered by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition in Washington, DC that is designed to enhance the quality of child care. The CDA Credential is awarded to individuals who have completed the national CDA requirements and who have proven their competence to work with young children and their families through a process of on-the-job performance evaluations, review by other early childhood professionals, and successful completion of an assessment by the National Council for Early Childhood Recognition.

A person who has earned the CDA Credential is referred to as a "CDA" or a Child Development Associate. A CDA can earn the credential in one of several emphasis areas:

• Center-based Preschool
• Center-based Infant Toddler
• Family Child Care

There are many organizations that can help you achieve your goal of obtaining a Child Development Associate. 

Those organizations can also help you with on-line or at home work-study courses to ensure that you have enough hours of annual training as required by state regulations.

Many states as a part of state Early Care and Education Initiatives have started revising state licensing regulations requiring teachers in child care centers throughout the USA to have obtained a  CDA as a requirement to hold the title of Lead or Master teacher. 

As an Early Care and Education Professional, it is your responsibility to complete courses,  attend training workshops and conferences to ensure that you have the knowledge, skills, abilities and tools to create and provide positive learning environments for children.