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.

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
BlogCommitments and Constraints: Roadblocks to Certification in ECEThe Council wants to give our early childhood teachers a chance to tell their stories. So does Usma Mohamed, the Council’s VP of Brand Experience and ...Read More
Press ReleasesCouncil for Professional Recognition and Parents as Teachers National Center Partner to Increase Early Childhood Educators Earning the Home Visitor CDA CredentialWASHINGTON, D.C. — The Council for Professional Recognition, the nonprofit organization that supports early childhood education professionals and administers the Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential, and ...Read More
Press ReleasesCouncil for Professional Recognition and Latino Child Care Association of Maryland Support Spanish-Speaking Candidates for Child Development Associate® CredentialsWASHINGTON, D.C. — The Council for Professional Recognition, the nonprofit organization that supports early childhood education professionals and administers the Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential, and ...Read More
BlogWhy continuing education is a must for early childhood educatorsSPONSORED BLOG As summer winds down and back-to-school season approaches, preschool teachers everywhere are gearing up for another exciting year of guiding littler learners! Amid the ...Read More
Press ReleasesCouncil for Professional Recognition and National Association for Family Child Care Sign Groundbreaking PartnershipWASHINGTON, D.C. — The Council for Professional Recognition, which advances career pathways for early childhood educators through high-quality, competency-based credentialing, announces a partnership with the National ...Read More
BlogScaling Up the CDA: Q&A with Council LeadersWhat inspired you to launch the Reimagine project? Dr. Calvin E. Moore, Jr. (CM), Chief Executive Officer: I joined the Council when we were in the ...Read More
Press ReleasesCouncil for Professional Recognition Appoints Elisa Shepherd as Vice President of Strategic AlliancesWASHINGTON — The Council for Professional Recognition, the nonprofit organization that supports early childhood education professionals and administers the Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential, has named ...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!