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.

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We’re here to help guide our CDA community through these challenging times with new policies, procedures, and tips. We’re committed to meeting your changing needs and those of a very precious population—our youngest children!

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Educator

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High School
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Specialist

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Partner

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Blog, NewsMeet the Men of Early Childhood EducationOnly a small portion of early childhood educators are men, but their presence can make a powerful impact on children’s lives. Last month, we invited our ...Read More
BlogFacing Risks, Finding Resilience: A Review of Ordinary Insanity: Fear and the Silent Crisis of Motherhood in AmericaA couple of years before becoming a mother, I saw the classic movie Terms of Endearment. Before the opening credits, the film portrayed Aurora, played by ...Read More
Press ReleasesCDA® Applicants Gain an Easier Way to Verify Training Requirements through the Council for Professional Recognition Initiative with The National Workforce Registry AllianceWASHINGTON — Early childhood educators who are seeking or want to renew their Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential from the Council for Professional Recognition now have ...Read More
BlogWhat’s Special about CDAs?“Every child deserves a champion,” said longtime teacher Rita Pierson in a famous TED talk. She was talking about “an adult who will never give up ...Read More
Press ReleasesCouncil For Professional Recognition Announces Military School Age CredentialWASHINGTON — The Council for Professional Recognition, the nonprofit organization that supports early childhood education professionals and administers the Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential, announced the ...Read More
BlogThe Importance of Supporting Women-Owned Businesses and Empowering Women EntrepreneursAs Women’s History Month comes to a close, I wanted to share how it is important for us all to reflect on women’s progress in the ...Read More
Press ReleasesStatement On Nashville School ShootingWASHINGTON — Dr. Calvin E. Moore, Jr., the CEO of the Council for Professional Recognition, issued the following statement: “Our education community and the whole world, ...Read More
BlogMessages from the MoviesMy mom called me up some years ago to praise a movie about a pig. As she began to mimic the pig’s squeaky little voice, I ...Read More
Press ReleasesCouncil for Professional Recognition Releases New Guidance for Early EducatorsWASHINGTON — The Council for Professional Recognition, the nonprofit organization that supports early childhood education professionals and administers the Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential, has released ...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.

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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.

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Where We Are Now

The Council has issued more than 800,000 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!

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