WASHINGTON, DC — The Council for Professional Recognition, the nonprofit that supports early childhood education professionals and administers the Child Development Associate® Credential™ (CDA)®, says proposed federal funding would bolster the sector.
President Biden has requested $16 billion in child-care funding to help parents at serious risk of paying more or losing access to care as previous funding expires. Officials say it would support more than 220,000 child care providers across the country that serve a total of more than 10 million kids.
The CDA® Credential is an essential part of the entire sector; 80% of center owners/directors say they are “more likely to hire someone with a CDA Credential than someone without,” and half (51%) of CDA holders say they “received a pay increase because of earning the CDA credential,” according to a recent survey. The CDA is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education (ECE), and it is a key stepping stone on the path of career advancement in ECE.
Dr Calvin E. Moore, Jr., the Council’s CEO, says, “We hear a lot about the ‘child care cliff.’ Going off such a cliff is bad for children, their parents, our educators and communities. It’s time to build a bridge over that cliff and we think this bill deserves serious consideration from Congress on both sides of the aisle. We also stand ready to consider and review other proposals that can achieve our shared goals.”
The Council sees the need for such support as six out of 10 child care center owners or directors who voluntarily participated in the survey report they’re having difficulty hiring additional staff. Roughly half (49%) of these center operators report a drop in existing staff.
Candidates for the CDA must successfully pass the national CDA exam that tests their knowledge of early childhood best practices based on the National CDA Competency Standards.