The Infant/Toddler CDA Credential serves as a viable option for Child Development Associates (CDAs) working in a variety of early childhood settings, including private, public, Head Start, and the military. With the increasing demand for high quality child care, the following chart highlights a steady increase in credentials awarded from September 2000 to August 2010. This encouraging trend reached its peak in August 2010 with the highest number of Infant/Toddler credentials awarded since this credential type became available in 1985. For CDAs, this competency-based credential represents their competence and unique skills in working with young children aged birth to three. The Infant/Toddler Credential is one of four credential types available through the CDA Program. Most states recognize the CDA Credential in their child care licensing regulations. Specific requirements for various staff positions can be found on each state’s child care licensing website.

In 1998, the Council established a collaborative agreement with the Office of Head Start and Early Head Start National Resource Center (EHSNRC) at Zero to Three to address the issue of recruiting more qualified infant and toddler caregivers. The Training and Technical Assistance partners helped Candidates to understand the eligibility and documentation collection requirements and recruited qualified CDA Advisors. The Office of Head Start and various sectors of the profession formally recognized the need for specialized care for children ages birth to three and embraced the CDA Assessment System as a process for ensuring that staff have the knowledge, skills, training, and experience they need to perform their functions well.

Through strategic partnerships with the Early Head Start expansion programs and other providers of infant and toddler care, the Council projects a significant increase in the number of Infant/Toddler CDAs.

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