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.

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!
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.

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 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!