Preparing for the New School Year
SPONSORED BLOG Excitement. Jitters. Uncertainty. The new school year comes with a multitude of emotions and challenges — but thankfully there are things you can do ahead of time to prepare and ensure it’s the...
In recent years, our CDA® community has taken leaps and strides in collective growth. At the Council, we have been honored to issue nearly 1 million Child Development Associate® (CDA) credentials to early childhood professionals. We’ve also increased the scope of our engagement with high school CTE programs, thought partners, policymakers and more. As we look toward a new era for the CDA®, we are committed to advocating for lasting change within the early childhood education sector and expanding the CDA® globally so that all children can receive access to the quality education they deserve.
In order to best serve the needs of our growing community, we have redesigned our website to provide a streamlined, user-friendly experience for website visitors old and new. As you explore the new website, we invite you to follow the new user pathway system. You can find the pathway links at the top of the home page:
If you scroll down on the home page, you can also access the pathways by selecting your role here:
What are the 7 pathways?
1. Educator
Who is this pathway designed for?
- Current or prospective Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ holders
Current or prospective early childhood educators
What can I find in this pathway?
- Log into YourCouncil – Find CDA training
- Learn more about the CDA
- Learn how to renew your CDA or MSA
- Learn how to apply for the Center-Based Infant-Toddler CDA credential
- Learn how to apply for the Center-Based Preschool CDA credential
- Learn how to apply for the Family Child Care CDA credential
- Learn how to apply for the Home Visitor CDA credential
- Learn how to apply for the Military-School Age (MSA) credential
- Find a PD Specialist
- Find scholarships
- Purchase materials
- Learn how to apply for a CDA in other languages
- Learn about special exam accommodations
- FAQs and more
2. High School
Who is this pathway designed for?
- High school faculty and administrators
- High school students
What can I find in this pathway?
- For faculty and administrators: learn how to launch a CDA program at your high school
- For faculty and administrators: pre-order the Child Development Associate® (CDA) Handbook for High School: A Guide to Advocacy and Implementation
- For students: learn the benefits of earning a CDA during high school
- Learn about state career and technical education programs
3. Advanced Career
Who is this pathway designed for?
- Current or prospective Professional Development Specialists
- Current or prospective Gold Standard Specialists
What can I find in this pathway?
- Log into YourCouncil
- Learn how to become a Professional Development Specialist (PDS)
- Learn how to become a Gold Standard Specialist (GSS)
- Find PDS resources and more
4. Partnering Organizations
Who is this pathway designed for?
- Prospective organizational partners
What can I find in this pathway?
- Learn how to partner with the Council for Professional Recognition
- Learn how to join the Council Alumni Network (CAN)
- Learn how to apply to become a Gold Standard organization
5. Government Administrators
Who is this pathway designed for?
- Government staff, aides and policymakers (federal, state and local)
- Media/journalists
- Researchers
What can I find in this pathway?
- Learn how the Council for Professional Recognition collaborates with government decision-makers on local, state and national levels
- Visit the Council for Professional Recognition’s media room to access fact sheets and press releases
- Download forms and more
6. Parents & Families
Who is this pathway designed for?
- Parents/guardians of children age birth to five
- Parents/guardians of prospective high school ECE/CDA students
What can I find in this pathway?
- Learn why CDA-certified educators are equipped to provide the highest level of care for children age birth to five
- Discover blogs and resources on child development for children age birth to five
- Learn how high school students can apply for the CDA
7. Our Community
Who is this pathway designed for?
- Current or prospective Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™ holders
- Early childhood educators
- Early childhood directors and administrators
- Education advocates
- Individuals who seek to support early childhood education in their local communities
What can I find in this pathway?
- Learn how to join the Council Alumni Network (CAN)
- Discover ECE testimonial stories about the power of the CDA
- Learn about the National Certification for ECE Lead Teachers Feasibility Study
What else do I need to know about the new website?
The new website is designed to provide a streamlined, intuitive user experience for all website visitors. However, we realize that it can take a few days to adjust to a new interface. So, if you find yourself wondering where to find a page, we invite you to use our search button located on the home page:
The pathways menu also includes a link to information about our annual EELC conference, coming soon in October 2021.
We look forward to hearing your feedback on the new website! If you have any questions, feedback or concerns, please contact us at cdafeedback@cdacouncil.org.
Recently Posted:
10 Ways to Nurture Language and Literacy Development | Empowering Young Children with Disabilities
Language and literacy skills are fundamental building blocks for a child’s development, enabling effective communication, social interaction, and academic success throughout grade school and beyond. For young children with disabilities, however, traditional educational models may...
Exploring the Council for Professional Recognition’s Council Alumni Network (CAN)
The Council for Professional Recognition’s Council Alumni Network (CAN) recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. This free community boasts 1200+ members. CAN is a diverse group of stakeholders in early childhood education (ECE) across the U.S....
Facing Risks, Finding Resilience: A Review of Ordinary Insanity: Fear and the Silent Crisis of Motherhood in America
A 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 Shirley MacLaine, as a worried mom who checked on...
What’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 on them, who understands the power of connection and...
The Importance of Supporting Women-Owned Businesses and Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
As 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 business world and the importance of supporting and empowering...
Messages from the Movies
My 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 started to wonder what this meant and worried my...
Boosting Brains by Building a Parent Nation
It takes a village to raise a child, the old proverb tells us. But we need to expand our perspective, according to pediatric surgeon, social scientist and mom Dana Suskind. In her heartfelt work, Parent...
Advancing Early Childhood Education Competence: What is on the Horizon for the Council?
Dr. Calvin Moore shared that when he first arrived at the Council and took on the CEO role, he was focused on assessing the early childhood education (ECE) landscape, the reach of the organization and...