CDA Credentialing
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Training for Childcare encourages all childcare providers to grow professionally
and receive ongoing training in the areas of child development, child abuse,
health, fire safety, first aid and CPR. We offer courses which assist your center
and staff in becoming fully certified providers and earning the nationally
recognized Child Development Accreditation (CDA).
A CDA is a quality tool for licensed providers who demonstrate excellence in all
aspects of the program and is evidence of a provider going beyond the
requirements of licensure. The total cost for CDA training is $1,145.00.
This fee includes:
Bright Stars Training has been awarded funding for partial scholarships to go
towards the CDA $325.00 assessment fee. Partial scholarships are available for
both individuals and centers. Center-based scholarships are available for centers
with five (5) or more participants. The scholarship awards are in amounts
between $50 to $300, and awarded on a first come, first serve basis. The next
class will start January 2012 and run consecutive for 14 weeks.
Funds are limited, so please apply early! to apply.
and receive ongoing training in the areas of child development, child abuse,
health, fire safety, first aid and CPR. We offer courses which assist your center
and staff in becoming fully certified providers and earning the nationally
recognized Child Development Accreditation (CDA).
A CDA is a quality tool for licensed providers who demonstrate excellence in all
aspects of the program and is evidence of a provider going beyond the
requirements of licensure. The total cost for CDA training is $1,145.00.
This fee includes:
- Training Materials
- Assessment Fees
Bright Stars Training has been awarded funding for partial scholarships to go
towards the CDA $325.00 assessment fee. Partial scholarships are available for
both individuals and centers. Center-based scholarships are available for centers
with five (5) or more participants. The scholarship awards are in amounts
between $50 to $300, and awarded on a first come, first serve basis. The next
class will start January 2012 and run consecutive for 14 weeks.
Funds are limited, so please apply early! to apply.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
The CDA program next class begins in January 2012, but spaces are filling up fast! More groups can be added
based on demand. For more information on the Bright Stars CDA module please send all questions or
possible.
On this page you will find:
What Is A CDA (Child Development Associate) is a national credential issued by the Council for Professional
Recognition and received after completing the CDA assessment. Using the Direct Assessment method, a choice
of three specializations can be earned. (Preschool, Infant/Toddler, Family Child Care.)
To earn a CDA, 120 hours of child care training is required in eight content areas (a minimum of 10 hours
needs to be completed in each content area). To learn more about the CDA process, call the Council for Early
Childhood Professional Recognition at 1.800.424.4310 or visit their website: www.cdacouncil.org
Benefits Of A CDA:
Eligibility For CDA Assessment:
Steps To Earn A CDA Credential:
The CDA Content areas are:
CDA Documentation - CDA candidates must submit documents that verify their competence in early child care
and education.
Documentation Will Include:
The CDA Assessment Packet will include:
Stages of Assessment:
There are six stages in the CDA Assessment system:
CDA Credential is valid for three years from the date of award, after which it may be renewed for five-year
periods. CDA candidates may renew their Credential only for the original setting, age-level endorsement, and
specialization.
The CDA Representative will also review your Professional Resource File. They will send all materials to the
Council for Professional Recognition. The Council will review the information and decide whether to issue the
CDA credential. (This process can take from 30-90 days.)
Financial Aid Available:
based on demand. For more information on the Bright Stars CDA module please send all questions or
possible.
On this page you will find:
- What Is A CDA
- Benefits Of Having A CDA
- Eligibility Requirements
- Steps to Earn a CDA Credential
- CDA Documentation Process
- Stages of Assessment
- Scholarships Available!
What Is A CDA (Child Development Associate) is a national credential issued by the Council for Professional
Recognition and received after completing the CDA assessment. Using the Direct Assessment method, a choice
of three specializations can be earned. (Preschool, Infant/Toddler, Family Child Care.)
To earn a CDA, 120 hours of child care training is required in eight content areas (a minimum of 10 hours
needs to be completed in each content area). To learn more about the CDA process, call the Council for Early
Childhood Professional Recognition at 1.800.424.4310 or visit their website: www.cdacouncil.org
Benefits Of A CDA:
- Possess the knowledge and skills needed to meet the specific needs of children in order to nurture
children's physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth in a child development framework. - Accomplishment and recognition for obtaining a respected, national credential
- Opportunities for advanced education and/or career advancement
Eligibility For CDA Assessment:
- Have a high school graduate or have a GED,
- Be 18 years or older
- Have 480 hours of experience working with children within the past 5 years
Steps To Earn A CDA Credential:
- Complete 120 hours of child care training in 8 content areas (a minimum of 10 hours needs to be
completed in each content area).
The CDA Content areas are:
- Safe, Healthy Learning Environment
- Physical & Intellectual Development
- Social & Emotional Development
- Productive Relationships with Families
- Effective Program Operation
- Maintaining Professionalism
- Observing & Recording Behavior
- Principles of Child Growth & Development
CDA Documentation - CDA candidates must submit documents that verify their competence in early child care
and education.
Documentation Will Include:
- A Professional Resource File - a collection of 17 specific reference materials related to candidate's work.
(Instructions are in CDA Packet and the CDA Assessment System and Competency Standards book). - Parent Opinion Questionnaires - Feedback from parents with children in the candidate's classroom or
family child care home. Each parent with a child in the candidate's care will complete a questionnaire. The
information is confidential and is placed into sealed envelopes. (Questionnaires are provided in the
application packet). - CDA Assessment Observation Instrument - The purpose of the observation is to rate a candidate’s skill in
specific performance areas, as stated in the CDA Assessment System and Competency Standards book.
This is done by a registered CDA advisor for a minimum of three hours (advisor qualifications can be
found in the CDA Assessment System and Competency Standards book). The advisor visit(s) need to be
completed within six months of applying for assessment. The Observation (once completed) is returned to
you in a sealed envelope and kept until the Assessment visit. Bright Stars Training will secure an
Advisor in your area by contacting the Advisor Registry at the Council for Professional Recognition. - Oral Interview/Situational Assessment Questions - The Oral Interview/Situational Assessment provides an
opportunity for candidates to show how the knowledge they have acquired through experience and
training would be applied in a variety of early childhood settings. Consisting of 10 structured "situations"
specific to the candidate’s setting, age-level endorsement and specialization. Bright Stars will apply for
your assessment by - March 1, June 1, September 1 or December 1 of any year. To do this Bright Stars
will use The Direct Assessment Application Form is in CDA packet. - Early Childhood Studies Review/Written Assessment - The Early Childhood Studies Review is a written
examination designed to measure general knowledge of good practices in early childhood education
programs serving young children. (Multiple-choice examination averaging 2 1/2 hours, administered by a
Council Representative) - Bright Stars will mail for the CDA Assessment packet to Council for Professional Recognition:
The CDA Assessment Packet will include:
- Completed Direct Assessment Application Form
- Verification of completed Formal Education
- CDA Assessment fee of $325.00. (See financial aid available below)
Stages of Assessment:
There are six stages in the CDA Assessment system:
- Inquiry
- Collection of Documentation by the Candidate
- Application
- Verification Visit by the Council Representative
- Credential Award
- Credential Renewal
CDA Credential is valid for three years from the date of award, after which it may be renewed for five-year
periods. CDA candidates may renew their Credential only for the original setting, age-level endorsement, and
specialization.
The CDA Representative will also review your Professional Resource File. They will send all materials to the
Council for Professional Recognition. The Council will review the information and decide whether to issue the
CDA credential. (This process can take from 30-90 days.)
Financial Aid Available:
- Bright Stars Training (through funding from grants) will pay $50 - $300 of the candidates assessment fee.
