A Child Development Associate credential is a nationally recognized designation awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C.

The Child Development Associates (CDA) Program prepares students for work in the early childhood care and education field. Courses are offered fully online and in a classroom format . Participants must be working with young children regularly either in a paid or volunteer position to fulfill their coursework requirements.



Step 1: Register for and complete the 120 hours of early childhood education training, covering the growth and development of children birth to 5 years.


The online version is designed to be completed in 12 weeks. The material is available 24/7 and the course is self-paced. You may begin the class immediately and have up to one year to complete the class. The non-refundable registration fee is $199.00/person for the online class. [Promotional rate-For a limited time.] The textbook list and directions for access to the online course are issued once payment is received in full. Registration is transferable and may be transferred to a later class date once in a one year period.
The classroom face-to-face sessions will be offered in Snellville. See dates below.

Step 2: Obtain supplies and order the required textbooks online at http://store.cdacouncil.org/


The following materials are needed for class. From a office supply store:
2-2" Presentation Binders (1-notebook for course notes/materials and handouts & the other for the professional resource profile which will be inspected during the Verification visit) 3 ring hole puncher Thirty clear plastic page protectors Eight dividers with tabs Twenty-five self-stick plain white address labels (1" x 3") or Avery sheet of 30 labels

REQUIRED TEXT:
Essentials for Working with Young Children
www.store.cdacouncil.org
Preschool Competency Standards book

* or
Infant-Toddler Competency Standards book

You do not need the Essentials workbook, just the Essentials textbook.

NOTE: You need the Essentials textbook and a copy of the competency standards book for your age group (infant/toddler or preschool) http://store.cdacouncil.org/cdaapplicationpackets.aspx.
They recently published a new edition of the Essentials textbook: http://store.cdacouncil.org/Essentials.aspx. The page numbers for most of the assignments will be different. I like the newer version because they added more information on stages of development and technology, however, if you want to have the same page numbers you will need the older Essentials book. You can buy it used at: http://amzn.to/2xJ07Fc

Step 3: Field Experience: Classroom observations and student teaching practicum are required each week. Your employer will be required to provide feedback and assistance as you work toward preparing for the CDA Assessment. Students enrolled in this course must be eligible for field experiences as determined by the BFTS and Georgia Department of Human Resources, Child Protective Services. State laws require a satisfactory criminal background check.


Step 4: Apply for Direct Assessment by the CDA Council: Mail a completed application to the Council for Professional Recognition with the (1) $425 assessment fee, (2) training verification, and (3) original trainer signature. The Council accepts applications on a rolling basis year round. Georgia provides financial assistance for individuals to obtain a CDA Credential through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Program. See www.decalscholars.com


Step 5: CDA Council Representative Visit: The Council Representative (Professional Development Specialist-PDS) will contact you to arrange a date and place for the visit within 90 days. At the conclusion of the Verification Visit, the Council Representative will return the Professional Resource File to you and submit the remaining materials to the Council. Complete the CDA Exam at a Pearson Vue test site.


Step 5: Receive Your Credentialing Decision: A Council Committee will review your documentation and render a decision whether to award you the Credential. If the Credential is awarded, the official Child Development Associate Credential will be sent to you. You will be eligible to participate in the BFTS/Smart Start GA INCENTIVES Program.


Step 6: Renew Your CDA: A CDA Credential is valid for three years from the award date, after which it may be renewed for five-year periods. Child Development Associate (CDA)Training

Face-to-face schedules are on the homepage
Only one absence is permitted. Non-refundable promotional registration fee of $275.00
Hybrid class..complete 120 hours of training...homework weekly!
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED! Please arrive 15 minutes before class begins!
Location: TBDSnellville, GA 30078
Cost: $275

Online CDA Course $199.00 Special promotional rate-nonrefundable Online course login information is emailed once payment is processed. This generally takes 24 hours.

CDA Classroom Snellville $275.00 Special promotional rate-nonrefundable

Transfer to Classroom CDA Training $100.00

Online CDA Two participants $398.00 Nonrefundable Login information emailed within 24 hours of payment processing

CDA Professional Resource Portfolio Review with Dr. Penn $30.00 Tuesdays or Thursdays 6-7 p.m.

Administrative fee CDA reactivation $100.00

CDA Materials (Professional Resource File and Course Notebook) $40.00

CDA Essentials Textbook (used) $55 and Competency Standards Book (new) $30 $100.00 including shipping and taxes