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CDA - Child Development Associate

ClassesOnline4U CDA Package
ClassesOnline4U NOW offers a CDA Package that provides you with all 120 hours of training for one low price ($400). Additionally you may purchase a Support Package ($150) that will provide you with an in-person contact who can help guide you through the CDA application process. Just Register, Login and Click on the CDA Package to begin! NOTE: Washington State residents may obtain 9 hours of college credit for their CDA credential. See WA State Information Page.

The CDA Program
CDA training programs do NOT award the CDA credential. This must be obtained from the CDA Council. As of June 1, 2013 the process and requirements have changed slightly. A summary of what is required in order to obtain your CDA credential follows:

Step 1: Explore the CDA Credential

1. Be able to demonstrate competence in an early childhood education setting based on the six CDA Competency Goals and 13 Functional Areas.
2. You must hold a high school diploma, or equivalent, or you are a junior or senior in a high school career/technical program in early childhood education.
3. You must be able to speak, read, and write well enough to perform the responsibilities of a CDA.
   

Step 2: Prepare for the Credentialing Process

1. You must complete 120 hour of formal early childhood education training (in CDA subject areas listed below).
   
2. Within the last three years you must have 480 hours of professional work experience working with children in your selected setting (family, infant/toddler, preschool).
3. Within the last six months you must have: a) put together The Professional Portfolio, b) Distributed and collected The Family Questionnaires, and c) Found and identified a CDA Professional Development Specialist.
   

Step 3: Application – The Candidate applies online http://www.cdacouncil.org/yourcda or mails an application with fees to the CDA Council.

• Council for Professional Recognition
• 2460 16th St NW
• Washington, DC 20009-3547
  

Step 4: Demonstrate Your Skills – There is a six month deadline to complete these two components:

1. Verification visit with your Professional Development (PD) Specialist
2. CDA Exam
   

Step 5: Receive Your Credentialing Decision – The Council committee reviews all relevant information and makes a decision regarding the awarding of the credential. If the credential is awarded, the official Child Development Associate Credential will be sent to you. If the committee decides you need more training, the Council will let you know what the next steps are.

Step 6: Credential Renewal – Valid for 3 years from the award date, the credential must be renewed by documenting 45 clock hours (4.5 CEUs) of relevant instruction over the previous 3 years. (We offer this coursework.)

For more detailed information, please visit the CDA Council website.

Taking Individual CDA Classes
To obtain your CDA, the CDA Council requires that you have a minimum of 10 hours in each of the 8 subject areas. Our CDA Package automatically meets this requirement, but if you are just looking for additional hours toward your CDA We can offer you individual training hours in all subject areas. The list below shows you the number of hours we offer individually, apart from our CDA Core, in each subject area.

CDA Subject Area with # of Hours

CDA Subject 1. Planning a safe and healthy learning environment, 36 hours.
CDA Subject 2. Advancing children's physical and intellectual development, 38 hours.
CDA Subject 3. Supporting children's social and emotional development, 40 hours.
CDA Subject 4. Building productive relationships with families, 10 hours.
CDA Subject 5. Managing an effective program operation, 17 hours.
CDA Subject 6. Maintaining a commitment to professionalism, 13 hours.
CDA Subject 7. Observing and recording children's behavior, 10 hours.
CDA Subject 8. Understanding principles of child development and learning, 14 hours.

A list of our classes along with which category they apply to may be found at ClassesOnline4U. We also offer a CDA Renewal Package (good for Staff and Director Credential renewals as well) of up to 45 hours at a greatly reduced cost to you.