Career Ladder

Child Development Associate (CDA)

What is the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential?
Why would I want to get a CDA credential?
How do I know if I am ready to earn this credential?
Where do I start?
How do I get the required 120 hours of training?
How do I create the required portfolio?
Who is a CDA Advisor and where do I get one?
Is there an application fee or other charges? Can I get help to pay for it?
Does the CDA credential expire?
Where can I go for help? Resources for CDA Credential Candidates and Mentors
Extra Resources for CDA Advisors and Mentors

1. What is the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential?
The CDA is a national credential awarded to early childhood professionals who have shown they have met the beginning level competencies needed for working with young children. It is a significant accomplishment and an option for starting a successful career in early childhood education.

The CDA credential is administered by the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C. They are the source for information about the credential, the application and how to earn it. No college or higher education institution can award you the CDA credential.

The CDA is often confused with an Associate Degree, due to their similar names, but they are different. CDA credential is defined as: "A Child Development Associate (CDA) is an individual who has successfully completed a CDA assessment and has been awarded the CDA Credential.... A CDA would also demonstrate competence in her/his ability to meet the CDA Competency Goals through her/his work in a center-based, home visitor or family child care program." -Council for Professional Recognition

To date, there are more than 150,000 CDAs across the country—in all 50 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. territories of Guam and the Virgin Islands. The training, experience and support you need to complete the credential can all be done in Vermont. There are many resources and supports here that can help you get a CDA credential. Remember, because CDA is a national credential, there is no “Vermont CDA”. You can only receive the CDA credential from the Council for Professional Recognition.

Vermont is committed to the vision of a coordinated professional development system that clearly embeds all elements of support for earning a CDA credential. This includes: training, on-site mentoring and advising as well as support for completing the application including the portfolio requirement.

- Jan Walker Director of the Workforce Development and Quality Enhancement unit of the Vermont Child Development Division

There are three types of CDA credentials, based on the setting where you work: 1) family child care, 2) home visitors, and 3) center based setting with an endorsement either for ages birth to 36 months or ages 3 to 5 years. Bilingual endorsements are available for all of the settings.

2. Why would I want to get a CDA credential?

As a stepping stone to other professional development and career steps in the field of early childhood development
To gain a sense of professionalism and be nationally recognized as an early childhood professional
To earn points in Vermont’s quality program rating system: STARS (StepAhead Recognition System) http://www.starsstepahead.org/
To reach Level II in Vermont’s Northern Lights professional development career ladder.
To get a Certificate to display on the wall so your co-workers and the parents in your program recognize your professionalism and commitment to the field.
It may be a requirement of your employer. (Head Start, NAEYC accredited programs and others may require this credential for employment)
The Child Development Division offers financial help for the CDA credential application fee, and when you earn the credential you may be awarded an incentive bonus. NOTE: If you have successfully completed a number of college courses, an Associate degree or other college degree in early childhood, then the CDA credential may or may not be the credential for you. Instead, consider other college coursework, degrees or specialty credentials. (see the Northern Lights Career Advising Guide for more information)

3. How do I know if I am ready to earn this credential?

You have to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED
You are committed to early childhood education and are ready to take the time to complete this credential process
You looked at the website: http://www.cdacouncil.org/cda_what.htm and know something about what this credential involves
You have already taken professional development workshops and have certificates or other documentation proving your attendance
You have experience in the field and believe you have a working knowledge of child development and what an early childhood professional needs to know
You have identified some people and resources who can help you through the process
You have the time. CDA credential candidates take from 6 months to more than a year to complete the application process.

4. Where do I start?

Start by knowing where you are going. Reading this document about the CDA credential is a good place to begin.
Completing the CDA credential application requires:

a. Experience: 450 hours of childcare experience over the last five years (the hours can be paid or volunteer) in the setting for which you are applying (home visiting, family child care, or center-based child care)
b. Professional Training: 120 documented training hours, with 10 or more hours in each of 8 categories (see number 5 below)
c. Written work: An autobiography, brief competency statements and a portfolio including specific resources
d. Observation: Documented observation of your work by a qualified CDA advisor
e. Parent Input: Completed parent surveys

At the end of this document is a list of resources to help you with all of these steps. When you have completed these steps, you are ready to apply to the Council for the CDA credential assessment. A Council representative will then come to assess your skills and knowledge. The assessor will evaluate you based on the type of CDA credential for which you are applying.

STEPS TO THE CDA CREDENTIAL

First talk to your supervisor or your regional Resource Development Specialist (see the resources link at the end of this document) They likely have some CDA credential materials you can view, know local resource people to guide you in the process, and can connect you to the professional development you may need.

Next Go to the Council website http://www.cdacouncil.org/cda_what.htm and purchase the materials for the type of CDA credential that fits your work setting. NOTE: The Council also offers a Second Setting CDA Credential for CDAs who hold one credential and want a second credential in a different setting.

Then Look at the workshops, classes etc. you have attended and the documentation you have of them. Start collecting documentation of your attendance, if you haven’t done so yet. (NOTE: The CDA credential application does not accept conference attendance towards the 120 hours.) Once you have at least 80 hours of documented training time, then it is a good time to start organizing what you have taken into the eight subject areas – to see what else you may need. You are also ready to start working on your portfolio. (see resources links at the end of this document)
Do you know about the Vermont Bright Futures Information System (BFIS)? If you have worked in a Vermont child care program you likely have a BFIS Quality and Credential ID – even if you don’t know it! This part of BFIS includes an individual resume. If you have taken workshops offered by your regional Resource and Referral agency in the past year or so, they will be already listed in your individual resume in BFIS, and can serve as documentation. To learn more go to http://northernlights.vsc.edu/bfis.html.

Keep in mind the application will require you to do some writing. If you think you might need extra help with writing, the resources at the end of this document can help you. Also see if you have an instructor or friend who is a good writer and proofreader, who will agree to review what you write.

Also keep in mind as part of your CDA credential you will need to be aware of professional organizations. (If you renew your CDA credential you will need to be a member of a professional organization.) See the Resources link at the bottom of this document for some professional organizations to consider.

5. How do I get the required 120 hours of training?
The Council defines the eight subject areas that need to be covered by the professional development you have attended. You will need documentation that at least 10 hours (of the required 120) were taken in each of these areas

Planning a safe, healthy environment to invite learning;
Steps to advance children's physical and intellectual development;
Positive ways to support children's social and emotional development;
Strategies to establish productive relationships with families;
Strategies to manage an effective program operation;
Maintaining a commitment to professionalism;
Observing and recording children's behavior; and;
Principles of child development and learning.

What have you already attended? Documented professional development (workshops, etc. with the content and hours of each listed) that you have taken over the last five years can be used for your CDA credential training requirements.
NOTE: You do NOT need to take college courses to get your first CDA credential. If you choose to take a college course, it can count towards your CDA credential if you can document that the content covers one or more of the eight subject areas. Remember, the Council for Professional Recognition does not accept conference attendance towards the 120 hours.

Resource Development Specialists in your region offer free or low cost professional development. Workshops and trainings (see resource list below) at your local Community Child Care Support Agency. They will also give you professional development documentation forms with the CDA credential subject areas checked off. This is great documentation for your CDA credential application! The resource specialists offer the Fundamentals courses (workshop series) and Level II workshop series which align with both the CDA credential requirements and the Northern Lights Career ladder.

Look on the Bright Futures Information System calendar. You can search for Vermont and near by New Hampshire workshops and classes by date, region or by subject area.

6. How do I create the required portfolio?

Look on the website and get the CDA credential booklet from the Council for Professional Recognition http://www.cdacouncil.org/cda_what.htm and read it carefully. It will detail what you need to include.
Your portfolio will have several specific parts. You will need to document in writing how you demonstrate the 13 functional areas (click here for a pdf of the 13 functional areas). This means you will be writing a few paragraphs for each area. You will also write a short autobiography and collect specific information and examples of resources you use in your work with children. It is likely some of these elements will already be in your child care or home visiting program.

The Fundamentals class or Level II workshop series offered by your Resource Development specialist will also help you get started on the required CDA credential application components. The resources section at the bottom of this document has tools you can use and ideas to help you find a mentor to guide you through the process.
There is help! Ask your Resource Development Specialist or your supervisor for the closest CDA credential mentor or support program (see also resource list below). Your workplace may also offer CDA credential support.

7. Who is a CDA Advisor and where do I get one?

When you are almost done with the portfolio and have documentation for most if not all of the required professional development activities, an outside observer should come observe you at work in order to assess if you demonstrate the 13 functional areas that the CDA credential includes. Most of the functional areas can be observed, but a few will need to be documented by interviewing you. Observations need to be done within six months of when you actually submit your application to the Council.
The Council for Professional Recognition calls these observers, Advisors. Not everyone can be a CDA Advisor. The Council bases the eligibility requirements for Advisors on the individual’s education, experience, and language proficiency (for bilingual endorsement). An individual cannot be a CDA advisor if they have a conflict of interest with you, the candidate. A mentor who has worked with you on your CDA credential application should not be your CDA Advisor. To avoid a conflict of interest the CDA Advisor:

May not work as co-teacher with the Candidate on a daily basis in the same room or group.
May not be the relative of a child in the Candidate's care at any time during the assessment process.
May not be related by blood or marriage or other legal relationship to the Candidate.

Look on the Council website (http://www.cdacouncil.org/cda_what.htm for a complete description of the CDA advisor eligibility.
See the resource list below for locating CDA Advisors in Vermont.
NOTE: Northern Lights Career Development Center is in the process of creating a registry that will include CDA Advisors. This website will include that information, when it is available.

8. Is there an application fee or other charges? Can I get help to pay for it?

There are different costs for the CDA credential:

The first fee is for the application packet. This is typically $18 plus postage. You will need to buy the application packet from the Council for Professional Recognition, www.cdacouncil.org. The application packet includes the books you and your CDA advisor will use to guide and document the components of your application. Your employer may support your application fees. Talk to your supervisor about any help they may be able to provide.
Once you have received your application packet and have completed all of the CDA requirements you are ready to submit your application. The Council for Professional Recognition charges an assessment fee of $325 that you will need to send with your completed application.
If you are renewing your CDA, you will also need to pay dues to join a professional organization (see the resource list below for ideas of professional organizations you can join). Remember, these fees are also tax deductible. (Also, your employer may be willing to support these fees.)

Some financial help!

If you work in a regulated child care program in Vermont, the Vermont Child Development Division has a grant to help pay the $325 CDA assessment fee. To be eligible you must have completed the application packet and be ready to submit your application to the Council for Professional Recognition. For more information please visit www.brightfuturesinfo.org or contact Heather Mattison at 1-800-649-2642 ext. 4551.

You may be eligible for a bonus from Vermont’s Child Development Division after receiving your CDA credential, to recognize your accomplishment! For more information visit www.brightfuturesinfo.org or contact Heather Mattison at 1-800-649-2642 ext. 4551.

9. Does the CDA credential expire? Yes!
A CDA Credential is valid for three years from the award date, after which it may be renewed in five-year increments. The purpose of the CDA credential renewal is to make sure that Child Development Associates are maintaining current knowledge and skills in their work with young children and families. All CDA Renewal Candidates must meet the following five criteria:

- Documentation of a current Red Cross or other agency First Aid Certificate.
- Documentation of at least 4.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or a three-credit-hour course beyond the original 120 clock hours.
- Documentation of at least 80 hours of work experience with young children or families of young children in the past year
- A letter of recommendation from an early childhood professional
- Documentation of current membership in a national or local early childhood professional organization.

SOME HELP…AND ADVICE ABOUT RENEWAL
Again, go to the website of the Council for Professional Recognition http://www.cdacouncil.org/cda_what.htm to learn all about it. Some advice:

Don’t wait! To document the successful completion of a 3 credit college course or equivalent in CEU’s, you need to apply, be accepted and complete the college course – before the three years are up!
Continue to provide care to young children during the renewal period. If you change jobs and are no longer working with children, you will not be able to renew your CDA credential.
You need to join a professional, dues paying, membership organization. The Resources section at the end of this document, lists some you can join.
You will need a letter of verification, written by a professional stating that you are maintaining the same level of professionalism and care as when originally got your CDA credential. This should be written by someone who has recently observed you working with children. You can ask your supervisor, your regional Resource Development Specialist, or a CDA credential mentor or support person (see Resources section below) to write it for you.
Send in the required materials to the Council for Professional Recognition by the deadline.

10. Where can I go for help? (this section will continue to be updated!)
Resources for CDA Credential Candidates and Mentors

The Council for Professional Recognition: Phone: 1-800 424-4310 or http://www.cdacouncil.org/cda_what.htm They award the credential and have the information you need.
Your regional Resource Development Specialist are the go-to people for the CDA credential candidates in their region.
Vermont Child Care Providers Association: contact Laura Butler 802- 893-7501, the Coordinator of their accreditation project. This professional organization supports individuals seeking a CDA credential. It also supports programs seeking National Association of Family Child Care Accreditation (NAFCC), or Vermont’s STARS (StepAhead Recognition System – Vermont’s program quality rating system). The organization provides support by helping you find mentors, facilitating support groups, providing training, hiring CDA credential advisors and mentors, and helping establish support groups in regions with enough people. Their services are provided to individual VCCPA members (dues are $25./year).
Vermont Northern Lights Career Development Center, can help steer you to the resources you need. Contact by email vtnlight@ccv.edu or call 802-241-4661
Bennington County CDA (pdf) credential courses at CCV offers three college courses that also help CDA candidates prepare their application.
Vermont Adult learning/Learning Works http://www.learningworksvt.org/ Learning Works is a statewide network of learning centers that provides adults free basic skills instruction in reading, writing, math, computers and more. They can help you with the writing required for your CDA credential application, when it is tied to job skills and employmen.
Professional organizations; In your initial application for a CDA credential you will need to know about these organizations. Before you renew your CDA credential you will need a certificate or membership card from a dues paying, professional membership organization. Here is a list of professional organizations (pdf) you might consider joining.
Some organizing tips and tools.
- CDA candidate step by step guide (pdf)
- What is a CDA credential (pdf)
- CDA and VNL Core Knowledge Areas Tracking Document (pdf)

- CDA grid and log (pdf)

- CDA training requirement log (pdf)

11. Extra Resources for CDA Advisors and Mentors (this section will continue to be updated!)

"Seminar Instructor's Guide for the CDA Professional Preparation Program" can be bought from the Council http://www.cdacouncil.org/cda_what.htm It has lots of great suggestions for instructors working with CDA candidates.
Payment application form for advisors (in process)
Instructor and Mentor registry info and link (in process)

For more information, see the Career Ladder