Before submitting a CDA application, you need to complete the following prerequisites:
Anytime before application
I. Formal training
You must complete 120 hours of formal early childhood education training, covering the growth and development of children aged from birth to 3 years, with no fewer than 10 training hours in each of the following subject areas:
- Planning a safe and healthy learning environment
- Advancing children's physical and intellectual development
- Supporting children's social and emotional development
- Building productive relationships with families
- Managing an effective program operation
- Maintaining a commitment to professionalism
- Observing and recording children's behavior
- Understanding principles of child development and learning
While formal education hours can be for credit or noncredit, they must be earned through an agency or organization with expertise in early childhood teacher preparation. The agency or organization must verify your education in the form of an official transcript, certificate, or letter.
Within last three years
II. 480 hours of professional work experience - this experience needs to be in a group setting with children aged birth to 3 years, including experience with each of the three infant/toddler sub-groups: young infants (birth–8 months), mobile infants (9–17 months), and toddlers (18–36 months).
Within last six months
III. The Professional Portfolio
You are required to put together a collection of reference materials related to your work. Please follow the detailed instructions in your Competency Standards book to prepare your Professional Portfolio.
IV. Family Questionnaires
You are required to distribute and collect Family Questionnaires. These questionnaires offer parents an opportunity to give their opinion on your work with their children. The Competency Standards book includes a blank questionnaire with instructions of how to distribute the questionnaires.
V. Find a CDA Professional Development Specialist
The CDA PD Specialist will bring the mentoring/coaching skills and ECE expertise needed to assess your competencies and facilitate your self-reflection during the Verification Visit. Before submitting your CDA application, you must identify a PD Specialist who is willing to conduct your Verification Visit after the Council approves your application. If you do not know a PD Specialist in your community, please visit our PD Specialist Directory to find a PD Specialist.
You are required to present the transcripts/certificates of education, the Professional Portfolio, and the Family Questionnaires to your CDA Professional Development Specialist during your Verification Visit. Please do not mail these documents to the Council, as they will not be returned.
If you have not done so already, make sure to purchase a Competency Standards book, which includes details of all prerequisites and key documents required to complete the application and credentialing process.
Are you ready to begin?
You are ready to begin if the Competency Standards book is in your hands and all prerequisites are completed. Proceed to STEP 3.
TIPS & TOOLS
- Looking for a training program? Visit our National Directory of Early Childhood Educator Preparation Institutions.
Glossary
- CDA Professional Development Specialist – a professional in early childhood education, trained and endorsed by the Council to conduct Candidate assessment
- Verification Visit – a meeting between the CDA Candidate and the CDA Professional Development (PD) Specialist which takes place after Candidate's CDA application is approved by the Council.