Invisible Child: A Spotlight on Life in the Shadows
Dasani wakes up before dawn each day at a homeless shelter in Brooklyn, New York. After slipping out from under the covers, she goes to the window. On a clear day, she can see all...
The Child Development Associate® (CDA) is the most widely known credential in early childhood education. When a person earns their CDA®, it demonstrates that they possess the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively with colleagues, students and families.
There are a number of reasons why you should earn your CDA—and even more to maintain it.
Here are five strong arguments for keeping up with your credential.
First and foremost, it’s the most-recognized accreditation in the early childhood field, and an important step if you’re serious about your professional (and personal) growth and development. A lot of time, teachers wonder how they can advance in their field. When you possess your credential, you open yourself up (and keep yourself open) to limitless possibilities and advancement opportunities.
Second, maintaining your CDA offers a practical way to keep your skills sharp and preserve a foundation for delivering high-quality care to young children. In turn, this will help you continue to increase your personal confidence and capabilities as an educator. When you’re confident, you raise your productivity, communicate more effectively and stand out from your peers.
Third, you’ll continue to be exposed to a large community of qualified, hardworking early childhood educators and professionals. Networking is an essential part of a job search, so having these relationships and connections will give you more opportunities to advance your career.
Fourth, by holding your CDA credential, you are more marketable. The CDA demonstrates quality, which boosts parents’ sense of confidence and trust in you. Schools and centers can use this to attract new families. When enrollment increases, the bottom line improves and potentially translates into higher wages. Additionally, many states and accrediting bodies require teachers to have their CDA to hold certain positions.
Finally, you should always keep your CDA current because earning your credential was an investment in the first place. Getting a credential back is usually much harder than keeping it up to date.
If you’re thinking about earning your CDA, look no further. Start with ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI), a Comprehensive CDA Gold StandardSM provider. As a Gold Standard provider, CCEI has successfully demonstrated that our program meets the Council’s three industry-leading principles: alignment with the CDA formal early childhood education coursework, sound business policies, and practices and quality services that meet students’ educational and professional needs.
So, what are you waiting for? Start a new program today or click HERE to take advantage of CCEI’s Renewal Amnesty offer—a limited-time chance to get CDA renewal training at just $149. Take advantage of this great opportunity by using promo code RenewalAmnesty21 now through May 31, 2021.
Dasani wakes up before dawn each day at a homeless shelter in Brooklyn, New York. After slipping out from under the covers, she goes to the window. On a clear day, she can see all...
The CDA Advisory Committee was created to provide insights, perspectives, and best practices to the CDA community and other early childhood professionals. Established during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the members’ first-hand experiences...
Where can you connect with CDA® holders and the wide range of folks who serve them? Turn to the Council Alumni Network (CAN), an online community that brings together current and past CDA earners, CDA...
Professional development is absolutely critical to your success, as well as the success of all the children in your care. Not to mention in most states, you’re required to complete a minimum number of training...
This month marks my second year at the Council for Professional Recognition. When I first arrived at the Council, I was no stranger to the organization or its mission, as I had been involved with...
Schools are microcosms of the world beyond their walls. Factors like race, culture, class and gender set the stage for what takes place in our schools as learners from different groups interact. The conflicts that...
There is no denying the academic and emotional impact of the pandemic on children. News websites and TV newscasts are full of stories about the unknown long-term effects of the past two years on kids....
Finding informative and trusted early childhood educator resources online can be a challenge. That’s why the CDA® Advisory Committee met virtually to learn more about the nonprofit, The Source for Learning (SFL) and its ECE...
Each year I update my professional bio and pause at the part where it says, “Rachel Robertson has worked in the field for over X years”. Not because I can’t believe it or can’t remember,...
Chief Operations Officer
Andrew Davis serves as Chief Operating Officer at the Council. In this role, Andrew oversees the Programs Division, which includes the following operational functions: credentialing, growth and business development, marketing and communications, public policy and advocacy, research, innovation, and customer relations.
Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the early care and education field. Most recently, Andrew served as Senior Vice President of Partnership and Engagement with Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, where he led the expansion of state and community-based partnerships to produce more equitable systems of service delivery, improved programmatic quality, and greater outcomes for communities, children and families. Prior to that, he served as Director of Early Learning at Follett School Solutions.
Andrew earned his MBA from the University of Baltimore and Towson University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland – University College.
Chief Financial Officer
Jan Bigelow serves as Chief Financial Officer at the Council and has been with the organization since February of 2022.
Jan has more than 30 years in accounting and finance experience, including public accounting, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has held management-level positions with BDO Seidman, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Pew Center for Global Climate Change, Communities In Schools, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and American Humane. Since 2003, Jan has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector where she has been a passionate advocate in improving business operations in order to further the mission of her employers.
Jan holds a CPA from the State of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College. She resides in Alexandria VA with her husband and dog.
Read our monthly e-newsletter and keep up to date on all Council programs and services, as well as the latest news in the world of early care and education. Subscribe today to stay connected with us. You’ll receive timely information on events, webinars, special promotions, and more.