Category Archives: The National CDA

We hear this question a lot here at Care Courses! All the information in this blog post applies to earning the Family Child Care CDA, the Preschool Center-Based CDA, and the Infant Toddler Center-Based CDA. For information on the Home Visitor CDA, which has different requirements, please click here: Home Visitor CDA Requirements. Thanks! Here are theContinue reading “How do I get a National CDA?”

Which CDA Setting is Right for You? The CDA comes in four different settings: the “Family Child Care” setting, for those that work in a registered home day care the “Infant and Toddler Center-Based” setting, for those that work in a registered day care center whose experience is with children ages birth to 3 yearsContinue reading “How Do I Choose My CDA Setting?”

Are you pursuing your National CDA? Have you already completed a portion of the 120-hour training requirement, but still need more training before you can apply? Look no further because we’re here to help! “I’ve only done training through Care Courses. Will I be able to use my Care Courses to get my national CDA? Continue reading “How do I Complete my Training for the CDA?”

Have you completed your CDA training and are now filling out your application? If so you might be wondering “Who is my Professional Development Specialist?” or “Where can I find a PD Specialist?” or “Do I know my PD Specialist?”  Look no further because Care Courses is here to help!  A PD Specialist is anContinue reading “Who is my CDA Professional Development Specialist?”

You have probably heard of the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. But what is it? And more importantly, is it right for you? We work closely with the CDA Council here at Care Courses, so here’s our take on why it is beneficial to get this professional credential. You learn more! Whether you’ve been workingContinue reading “Top 5 reasons you should get a CDA Credential”

If you are using Care Courses to complete the 120 hours of training for your National CDA, you have as long as you need to complete your coursework.    Let Care Courses Help You Earn Your National CDA! The CDA process typically takes six to eight months on average to complete, but every candidate isContinue reading “Is there a time limit for the CDA?”

If you are renewing your national center-based or family child care Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, you will need an Early Childhood Education (ECE) Professional to serve as your ECE Reviewer. An ECE Reviewer must have recent—within the last year—and firsthand knowledge of your capability as a caregiver for children in the setting of yourContinue reading “Who can serve as my Early Childhood Education Reviewer?”

Renewing your national Child Development Associate (CDA) credential? The CDA Council requires that you submit proof of membership in an early childhood professional organization. Your membership must be current at the time you submit your CDA renewal application. The CDA Council will accept an individual membership or one that is part of your center’s membership.Continue reading “What’s an early childhood professional organization membership?”

Are you pursuing a National CDA? Are you ready to start your Professional Portfolio? Care Courses wants to help! So how do you create your CDA Professional Portfolio? Anyone pursuing their CDA Credential should purchase the Competency Standards Book, which is available through the CDA Council’s website. This book gives step-by-step instructions on how to build your ProfessionalContinue reading “5 Steps to Completing the Professional Portfolio for your National CDA”