Council Blog
Read about what’s new and what’s important to you as a member of the ECE community.
Celebrating Families: Making Family Fun
August is National Family Fun Month, with American Family Day celebrated on August 3rd. During this time, families can spend quality time together, head to the local park or pool, take a walk, or go...
Expert Speaks: Pool and Swim Safety with Angela Wild
Early childhood educators play a critical role in the lives of young children and their families around the world. As the administrator of the Child Development Associate® (CDA), the Council for Professional Recognition is at...
CDA® Renewal Process Updates: Enhancing Efficiency & Accessibility
The Council is updating the renewal process to make it more efficient, accessible, and user-friendly. These changes streamline requirements, automate renewals, and introduce a fair audit system to ensure compliance while minimizing administrative burdens. Updates...
The Vital Role of Family Child Care and the CDA® Credential in Early Childhood Education
Family child care homes are more than convenient places for working families to find child care; they are essential nurturing learning environments where children grow, develop, and build the foundation for lifelong success. With nearly...
Important Update: CDA® Exam Scheduling Changes Effective August 1, 2025
Beginning August 1, 2025, the Council is implementing a new exam-first approach for the CDA credentialing process. This change enhances standardization and streamlines the process, allowing candidates to demonstrate their expertise in a structured manner....
Creating Safe Environments for Young Children: Promoting Awareness and Professional Competence in Early Learning Settings
The month of June is rich with purpose and powerful reminders for those of us who support young children and their families. We celebrate National Safety Month, Family Health and Fitness Day, World Environment Day,...
The Birth to Five CDA® Credential:
A Way to Expand Your Scope
Do you want to widen your career options in the early learning field and work with more than one age group of children? Many educators do, and the Council is giving you a new way...
Announcing the Child Development Professional™ (CDP) Concept: The Best Next Step
The Council for Professional Recognition is proud to present the Child Development Professional™ (CDP) concept paper—presenting a bold vision for a nationally recognized credential to elevate early childhood education (ECE) by expanding professional pathways beyond...
Nurturing Classroom Heroes: Showing Appreciation for Professionals Who Shape Our Future
The month of May is a time of heartfelt gratitude and thoughtful reflection. Not only is it the month we honor mothers, but we also celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5–9), Teacher Appreciation Day (May...