Five Reasons to Earn Your CDA

September 26, 2023
SPONSORED BLOG

Whether you’re just starting out in the early childhood field, or you’ve been teaching for years, chances are you’ve heard the term CDA at least a few times.

The Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™ is the most widely accepted and acknowledged credential in the early childhood industry. When an educator earns their CDA®, it demonstrates that they have the knowledge and skills needed to provide high-quality care to young children.

But having added credibility isn’t the only reason to earn your CDA.

I’m Leslie Coleman, the education director for ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI), an online trainer of early childhood professionals — and an official partner of the Council for Professional Recognition. We’ve had over 49,200 students graduate from our CDA training program as well as other certification programs and have seen firsthand the impact a CDA can have on an educator’s career.

With that in mind, here are four reasons why you should consider earning your CDA.

  1. You’ll feel more confident in the classroom. Earning your CDA is a great way to sharpen your skills and stay up-to-date on the latest developments in early childhood education. It can also help you feel more confident with your skills and abilities inside the classroom. That added confidence will not only help you teach your students more effectively, but it can also increase your productivity and help you stand out from your peers.
  1. You’ll have better parent-teacher relationships. Having a CDA can also help you attract new families to your program. Parents will feel more comfortable knowing they’re leaving their child with someone who has a deep understanding of their children’s needs and how to meet them. Plus, when parents see that you’ve invested time and money into becoming a better educator for their children, it can help strengthen the relationships you have with them. 
  1. You’ll continue to grow professionally. As with any form of professional development, earning your CDA is a great way to invest in yourself and your future. Whether you’re looking to move into a senior educator role within your program or you’re hoping to work in a related field like education consulting, having a credential can help open up a number of opportunities that might not otherwise be available to you.
  1. You’ll have an opportunity to increase your pay. Teachers with CDAs tend to earn more than other educators (in fact, they typically make more than the national average). Plus, many states and/or programs offer financial incentives and bonuses for educators who put in the time to earn their credential.
  1. You’ll be able to keep your education going by knocking out college prerequisites with our parent company at StraighterLine! You can then transfer your credits to 1,500+ partner colleges and universities.

These are only a sample of the many benefits that come from earning your CDA credential. To learn more (and see how you can get yours online), click here.

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