The Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credentialing Program
The amended Head Start Act requires that by September 30, 1994, each Head Start classroom in a center-based program have a qualified teacher who, at a minimum, has a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential to serve children ages three to five.
The CDA program is administered by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition, a non-profit corporation located in Washington, D.C. The Council operates under a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Children, Youth and Families to provide information, assessment, and credentialing to Head Start employees. The CDA credential is awarded based on the ability of a candidate to meet the standards of good child care practice established by a Federal task force of early childhood experts.
There are currently two ways to become a CDA: (1) Direct Assessment (DA)-$325, and (2) the CDA Professional Preparation Program (CDA P3)- $1500. Both systems require that a candidate meet certain eligibility requirements an successfully complete the assessment process, demonstrating competency in the 13 aspects of quality child care defined as "Functional Areas" by the Council. The main difference between these two systems is that the DA is designed for candidates who have child care experience and education, while the CDA P3 is a one-year training and assessment program developed by the Council for candidates with little or no prior experience or early childhood education, and offered at post-secondary institutions in the candidate's community.
DA candidates must supply the Council with evidence that they meet the eligibility requirements at the time of application for assessment. To be eligible for the DA, candidates must:In addition to verifying that they meet the eligibility requirements, candidates must prepare additional documentation prior to applying for the CDA assessment. Once the documentation is compiled, it is sent to the Council where it is reviewed by a commission to determine whether or not the candidates meet the standards necessary to be awarded a CDA credential.
- Be 18 years of age,
- Hold a high school diploma or equivalent,
- Have 480 hours of experience working with children within the past 5 years, and
- Have 120 clock hours of formal child care education within the past 5 years. (Formal education is defined as that which is received from an agency or organization with expertise in early childhood teacher preparation.)
Candidates in either program may earn their CDA in one of the following endorsement areas:
The CDA Home Visitor credential may only earned through the DA. A Spanish/English bilingual specialization is also available.
- Center-Based Preschool
- Center-Based Infant/Toddler, or
- Family Day Care.
Scholarships are available for CDA training and assessment through the CDA Scholarship Program. To find out the name of the CDA Scholarship Agency in your State, see pages 16 and 17.
Council for Early Childhood
Professional Recognition
1341 G Street, NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
(202)26509090, (800) 424-4310