What is a CDA?
- You can make a difference in the lives of the children for whom you care.
- You can increase your knowledge of early development and quality care.
- You can advance in your career in less than a year.
CDA stands for Child Development Associate. A Child Development Associate is a person who has received a CDA credential. A CDA is able to meet the specific needs of children and, with parents and other adults, works to nurture children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth.
What is a CDA credential?
A CDA credential is the nationally recognized credential that a person is awarded after:
- Successful completion of a 120 hour professional training program;
- Demonstration of skills needed to work with children and their families;
- Successful completion of a resource file;
- Submission of a credential assessment application to the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C. and;
- Successful completion of a formal written and oral review by a representative from the Council for Professional Recognition.
Established in 1975, the CDA credential continues to grow in acceptance and is now built into training standards for several national organizations, including the National Association of Family Child Care and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. For more information about the CDA and the application process for becoming a CDA, click here.
The Child Care Council offers:
- an on-line 120 hour eCDA training program – infant-toddler or pre-school – with monthly in-person support classes. This program can be started at any time. Click here for information.
- an in-person 120 hour class for infant-toddler teachers that is held from September to June. Sponsored by the Westchester County Office for Woman, there is no cost for this class.
What are the requirements for the Council’s 120 hour CDA training programs:
- be at least 18 years of age
- have a high school diploma or GED
- have worked in a licensed child care program or nursery school for at least one (1) year.
- be able to speak, read and write in English fluently enough to fulfill the responsibilities of a CDA candidate.
For the Infant-Toddler In-Person CDA application, click here.
For the eCDA application, click here.
For information about the eCDA, the online CDA course,
or the in-person infant-toddler CDA,
please contact Idie Benjamin at 914- 761-3456, ext 108 or idieb@cccwny.org
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