CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE

The Child Development Associate (CDA) is a national, professional award granted by the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, DC, to teachers who demonstrate competence in six Competencies and 13 Functional Areas. The CDA is a certification developed specifically for early childhood teachers (infant/toddler/preschool) as well as Family Child Care Providers, and is accepted as a valid credential by all 50 states.

The CDA is usually the third step in training for early childhood teachers in Wisconsin.

It is strongly advised that teachers seeking a CDA complete at least the two 40 hour early childhood courses.

A total of 120 clock hours of training must be documented for each CDA candidate. By completing the two early childhood 40 hour courses within 5 years of your application for your CDA, you have completed nearly two thirds of the required clock hours. Our office can assist you with obtaining your CDA by providing an approved CDA advisor. To make sure that you adhere to the application process, it is important that you work with an approved CDA advisor.

A CDA advisor will assist with the following activities, as outlined in the CDA book:

• Completion of CDA
• Assessment Observation Instrument
• The Parent Opinion Questionnaire
• Professional Resource File (you are responsible for collecting information)
• Direct Assessment Application

Do you currently have your CDA which needs to be renewed? Contact our office at (414) 536-3397.

Within the past two years, over 50 child care providers have been trained or have obtained their CDA credentials with the assistance of the Child Care Providers’ Helper.

Click here for more details.