 Printer View
Eligible child care settings for CDA credentials
Eligible Settings
The CDA Credential is awarded for three child care settings and various endorsements:
- Center-based Credential for which Candidates receive endorsements to work with preschool children, or with infants and toddlers;
- Family Child Care Credential; and
- Home Visitor Credential.
Bilingual endorsements are available for all of the settings.
The various options for CDA Assessment are represented in the following diagram:
top
Criteria for settings
Candidates for the CDA Credential must be observed working as lead teacher in a setting that meets the following criteria. ( Note : Candidates may be employed or work on a volunteer basis in the child care setting):
A center-based preschool setting is a state-approved child development center where a Candidate can be observed working with a group of at least eight children, all of whom are aged 3 through 5 years. In addition, a center-based program must have: (1) at least 10 children enrolled in the program (not necessarily in the Candidate's group), and (2) at least two caregivers working with the children on a regular basis.
A center-based infant/toddler setting is a state-approved child development center where a Candidate can be observed working with a group of at least three children, all of whom are under age 3. In addition, a center-based program must have: (1) at least 10 children enrolled in the program (not necessarily the Candidate's group), and (2) at least two caregivers working with the children on a regular basis.
A family child care setting is a family child care home where a Candidate can be observed working with at least two children 5 years old or younger who are not related to the Candidate by blood or marriage. The setting must meet at least the minimum level of applicable state and/or local regulations. Family child care settings are also eligible in localities where there is no regulation of family child care.
A home visitor setting is an established program of home visits (to families with children 5 years old or younger) that supports parents in meeting the needs of their young children. In this setting, regular home visits are the primary method of program delivery.
A bilingual setting is a child development program that has specific goals for achieving bilingual development in children; where two languages are consistently used in daily activities; and where parents are helped to understand the goals and to support children's bilingual development.
A special education child development setting also qualifies as an eligible setting for CDA assessment. The program must meet the other criteria described above.
top
The Council also offers a Second Setting CDA Credential for CDAs who hold one credential and wish to obtain a second credential in a different setting. See "Second Setting Credential" section for more information.
top |
