We Set the Standard for ECE Competence

The Council for Professional Recognition is a leader in the credentialing of early childhood educators worldwide. We ensure that candidates who earn our Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential are well prepared to foster the social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth of young children. Having a CDA® doesn’t just help educators bring out the best in children. It also advances their careers and contributes to the status of our profession.

Press ReleasesCouncil for Professional Recognition Proud to Receive Great Place to Work Certification™WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Council for Professional Recognition, the nonprofit that offers and administers the Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential, is sharing an important achievement of ...Read More
Press ReleasesCouncil for Professional Recognition Selects the Stanford Center on Early Childhood to Conduct Major Research into the Impact of the Child Development Associate® Credential™WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Council for Professional Recognition has selected The Stanford Center on Early Childhood at Stanford University to conduct the most extensive and in-depth ...Read More
BlogElevating the CDA® Credential: Building Trust and Value with the Council for Professional RecognitionThe Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™, under the stewardship of the Council for Professional Recognition, has long been a cornerstone of the early childhood education sector. ...Read More
BlogEvaluating the Impact of the CDA® Credential™: A Study by Stanford Center on Early ChildhoodIntroduction  The Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™, awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition, is a foundational credential for early childhood educators across the United States. ...Read More
BlogAchieve your CDA® Training Certification in Just One Year or Less: A Fast-Track Guide to Credential SuccessSPONSORED BLOG If you’re looking to boost your career and make a bigger impact in the lives of the little ones you teach, earning your Child ...Read More
BlogThe Value of the Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™ in Building a Quality Early Childhood Education WorkforceAs professionals dedicated to the advancement of early childhood education, we understand the critical role that a highly skilled and well-trained workforce plays in the development ...Read More
BlogExpanding Research and Psychometric Expertise at the Council for Professional RecognitionThe Council for Professional Recognition has long been a leader in quality in early childhood education, ensuring that educators meet the highest standards of competence and ...Read More
Published ArticlesLeading the Way for Men in Child Care: An Ode to Male Leadership in ECEMen’s involvement in early childhood education (ECE) is an endeavor worth promoting, supporting, and encouraging in both personal and professional life. The rationale is simple: young ...Read More

Who We Are

Our History

Back in the early 1970s, a group of early childhood pioneers convened to think about how to improve the quality of early care and education. Their solution was to create a new credential based on competence in the early childhood field.

Our Stories

Members of our community work in all types of early childhood education programs serving children from birth to 5 years old. Our educators’ stories reveal their wit, wisdom and wonderful sense of devotion to our youngest children.

Where We Are Now

The Council has issued more than one million CDA credentials to date. We’re now expanding our reach across the globe, and there’s a world of ways for you to be part of our success!