Child Development Associate CDA Preparation Program After being in child care for 15 years, I decided to make early childhood education a career instead of a job. Earning my CDA is my first step. — Jennifer Lyons, Infant-Toddler Teacher FIND OUT: • What a CDA is • Who can earn one • Where & When the program is offered • Why you should earn a CDA! What is A CDA? why should i earn a cda? The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education (ECE) and is the best first step on the path of career advancement in ECE. The distinctive CDA Credential is the only nationally-recognized, portable, competency-based credential of its kind in the country. Why Should I Earn a CDA? A Child Development Associate is an individual who has successfully completed a CDA Assessment and has been awarded the CDA Credential by the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C. S/he is able to meet the specific needs of children and works with parents and other adults to nurture children’s physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth in a child development framework. The 4C for Children Preparation Program Offers You: • It is the only nationally recognized, portable, competencybased credential of its kind in the country. • You will gain knowledge and master skills that will benefit children throughout school and life. • You will learn to work more effectively with families. • Convenient class times and locations • Skilled instructors with years of experience in early childhood education • Assistance with documentation requirements and preparing for the CDA Exam and Verification Visit • The opportunity to learn within a community of other early childhood education professionals Investing your time towards obtaining a CDA is a major and fulfilling investment in yourself and the children you care for. It’s a must do! I’m glad I did! — Jameka Parker. Family Child Care Provider Cincinnati CDA class that completed preparation in 2012. Who can earn a CDA? Personal 1. You must hold a high school diploma or equivalent, or be a junior or senior in a high school/vocational education program in early education. 2. You must be able to speak, read and write well enough to fulfill the responsibilities of a CDA Candidate. 3. You must sign a statement of ethical conduct. Experience The Candidate must have had, within the past three years, at least 480 hours of experience (12 weeks of full-time work) working with children: • aged birth to three years in a group setting; or • aged three to five years in a group setting; or • aged birth to five years in a family child care setting. This experience can be accumulated while the Candidate is earning her/his training hours and preparing required documentation. Setting Center-Based: Candidates must be able to be observed in a center-based, state approved setting. Candidates earning a preschool credential are assessed working with children aged three to five years. Infant/Toddler Candidates are assessed working with children birth to 36 months. Family Child Care: Candidates must be able to be observed in a family child care setting that meets at least the minimum level of applicable state and local regulations. Candidates are assessed working with children aged birth to five years. I thought I was on top of things until I started taking CDA classes. They go more in depth and help you become more educated about children. — Volanda Oliver-Brice. Preschool Teacher Three steps to earning a cda Step One: Training, Collection of Documents and Application Training CDA Candidates must earn at least 120 clock hours of training which must be documented, with no fewer than ten hours in each of the following content areas: 1. Planning a safe, healthy learning environment 2. Steps to advance children’s physical and intellectual development 3. Positive ways to advance children’s social and emotional development 4. Strategies to establish productive relationships with families 5. Strategies to manage an effective program operation 6. Maintaining a commitment to professionalism 7. Observing and recording children’s behavior 8. Principles of child development and learning Collection of Documents Center-based and family child care CDA Candidates must submit documents that verify their competence in early child care and education. These include: • A Professional Portfolio: a personal philosophy statement, resource collection, and reflective statements of competence based on the CDA Candidate’s work with young children and their families. • Family Questionnaires: feedback from families with children in the Candidate’s classroom or family child care home. Application When the training and the documentation is complete, the CDA Candidate sends the CDA application to the Council for Professional Recognition. Three steps to earning a cda, CON’T Step Two: CDA Exam and Verification Visit CDA Exam The CDA Candidate completes a CDA Exam at a local Pearson Vue testing center. The CDA Exam consists of 65 multiple choice questions. The only computer skill needed to complete the CDA Exam is a single click using a mouse. No scrolling, typing, or double clicking is required. Verification Visit The CDA Candidate selects a Professional Development Specialist (PDS) who will conduct the Verification Visit. The PDS reviews the documentation and training records, observes the CDA Candidate working the children in their group, and conducts a reflective dialogue. Step Three: Credential Decision The CDA Exam scores (sent to the Council by Pearson Vue) and the Verification Visit scores (sent to the Council by the PDS) are combined and a decision is made whether to issue the CDA Credential. The CDA Credential is valid for three years and may be renewed for the same setting and age level endorsement. I would like to thank 4C for providing a professional experience for four of my staff. Each was provided with a very positive experience and their individual growth has been wonderful to watch. — Debbie Frazier. Director 4c is here to help Coaching and One-on-One Assistance Based on community need and request, 4C has the following optional services available upon request: Optional Coaching Candidates not enrolled in the 4C CDA Preparation Program may hire 4C coaches to assist with the following CDA requirements: • Professional Portfolio assistance/review • CDA Exam preparation • Verification Visit Preparation • Development of an education plan to meet CDA requirements Assistance in meeting the above requirements is provided as part of the 4C CDA Preparation Program. Ongoing Professional Development Opportunities Ongoing training opportunities can be found on the 4C Web site. Visit www.4cforchildren.org/pdo for a list of our workshops and classes. Remember 4C When It’s Time To Renew! Please contact your local 4C office for more information regarding CDA Renewal opportunities. 4C does a great job with the CDA classes. I hope many more teachers are lucky enough to go through the program. I learned so much! — Christy Phillips. Preschool Teacher 4c cda preparation program 4C Miami Valley 1000 N. Keowee St. Dayton, Ohio 45404 937-220-9660 x1333 4C Southwest Ohio 1924 Dana Ave. Cincinnati, Ohio 45207 513-758-1333 4C Kentucky 525 W Fifth Street, #215 Covington, Kentucky 41011 859-781-3511 x1333