CDA®. These three little letters can change the entire trajectory of your career.
The Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential is the most widely known and valued credential in early childhood education. By earning your CDA, you demonstrate and strengthen your knowledge, understanding and practices as an educator.
Not only is the CDA credential a key part of advancing within early childhood education, but it’s also a major professional development experience and essential resource as an ECE professional.
There are a myriad of benefits to earning your CDA.
First and foremost, the CDA opens up enormous opportunities for career growth and advancement, including increased earning potential:
Some employers require a CDA, which means you’ll be qualified for more positions and you’ll stand out from the crowd since almost every employer in the field recognizes the CDA and its importance.
Some schools and centers incentivize early care and education professionals to earn their CDA with monetary bonuses. When centers have highly qualified staff, they appear more desirable to prospective parents and students. So earning your CDA, benefits both you and your employer.
Second, the CDA allows you to stay on top of your teaching game and at the forefront of the industry.
Earning your CDA, will allow you to stay current on the latest research, techniques and trends in early childhood education, which is crucial since the field is constantly evolving.
If you’re a veteran educator, think about how much the field has changed since you first began working as a teacher. And if you’re brand new to teaching, it’s only a matter of time before you see how industry changes will impact your approach to teaching, curriculum and so much more. By pursuing your CDA today, it will prepare you for tomorrow.
Last, but not least earning the CDA builds confidence both personally and professional.
Professional development, regardless of the industry, will always help boost workplace confidence. By undertaking the process of working towards your CDA, and ultimately earning your credential, you’ll enjoy the feeling of accomplishment it brings. But you’ll also feel more self-assured and gain a greater level of belief in yourself and your abilities.
And it’s not just you who’ll feel more confident! When you demonstrate the commitment and dedication it takes to earn your CDA, families will also feel more confident about your ability to teach their toddlers. That level of trust will almost certainly help build stronger relationships, which at the end of the day benefits everyone involved.
If you’re interested in pursuing your CDA, ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI) is offering a special on our Self Study CDA in the new year.
As a Comprehensive CDA Gold Standard℠ provider, CCEI’s program meets the Council’s three industry-leading principles, including alignment with the coursework found in the CDA’s eight subject areas; sound policies and practices; and quality student services that meet their educational and professional needs.
So what are you waiting for? Make 2022 the best year yet by signing up for CCEI’s Self-Study CDA offer valid for over 40% off the regular price (now $499) starting 1/1-1/31/22 HERE, and take the first step toward the rest of your career!
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ParentEducate.com is where parents go to learn research-based parenting techniques. Launched by the same team behind accredited training provider, ChildCare Education Institute, ParentEducate.com offers parents the same level of quality classes as those taken by the nation’s leading early childhood educators. With ParentEducate.com, families can easily access a catalog of engaging web-based courses from anywhere, at any time on any device. For more information, please visit ParentEducate.com.
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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.
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