Child Development Associate Credential

CDA Process

Online coursework is delivered through a state-of-the-art learning management system, NexPortCampus. Nexportcampus is a next generation training solution that offers easy access to courses, and a self-paced, engaging online learning environment for students.

The self-paced format and 24/7 accessibility, allow students to maintain a family-work balance while still continuing their education.

Log-In to CDA Resources and Tutorials Enroll Now

Visit our Student Enrollment Center to register now: www.studentenrollmentcenter.org

We want to assure that you are successful at achieving your CDA Credential goals!

Many child care providers throughout the United States have used our courses to meet the training requirement to apply for the Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credential.

The following are the steps to obtaining a CDA :

Please read the following carefully!

• Make certain that you will meet the eligibility requirements to go through the CDA Direct Assessment process:
  • You are 18 years of age or older
  • Have 480 hours of experience working with young children within the past 5 years in a state-licensed home or center setting
  • Hold a high school diploma or the equivalent
• Submit an enrollment application to register for the 120 hours of CDA courses by clicking on the ENROLL button above.
• Call the Council for Professional Recognition (1-800-424-4310) and purchase an CDA Direct Assessment Application Packet. When it arrives, read the CDA Competency Standards Book, specifically the six stages of assessment. The cost of the CDA Direct Assessment Application Packet is $18 and generally takes 3 – 6 weeks to receive from the time that you place the order.
• Complete 120 clock hours of formal childcare education. Upon completion of your 120 clock hours, notify us by clicking on the link in the training console to request a transcript.
• Follow the instructions in the CDA Resources and Tutorials to create a Professional Resource Portfolio and write the 6 competency statements.
• Have at least one three-hour Observation and Assessment done by a qualified person.  Some students have access to a qualified person to conduct the Observation and Assessment, others will need to obtain advisor services for this portion of the CDA process.
• Collect parent questionnaires from the families in your care.
• Submit the completed Direct Assessment Application to the CDA Council along with the application fee.
• A representative from the CDA Council will contact you to schedule a verification visit. During the Verification Visit the Council Representative will:.
  • Check the content of your Professional Resource File.
  • Collect copies of your Statements of Competence.
  • Collect a copy of your Autobiographical Statement.
  • Collect Parent Opinion Questionnaires and the Observation Instrument.
  • Administer the Early Childhood Studies Review - a two-hour, multiple-choice examination.
  • Conduct the Oral Interview to evaluate your knowledge of early childhood care and education practices.
• 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. If the committee decides you need more training, the Council will let you know what next steps to take to earn the Credential.
• A CDA Credential is valid for three years from the award date, after which it may be renewed for five-year periods. For details about the renewal process, see the CDA Renewal section on the CDA Council website

 

Option 1 - CDA Training Package 120 hours of CDA Training (8 modules) CDA Resources and Tutorials for assisting with the CDA process Tuition: $399 CDA Credential Process CDA Resources and Tutorials Enroll Now

Option 2 - CDA Payment Plan Pay for each module as you go - No due dates for payments. CDA Resources and Tutorials for assisting with the CDA process Payment Plan Details CDA Credential Process CDA Resources and Tutorials Enroll Now

 

CDA Training Package

There are two components to the CDA Training Package:

1. CDA Training - CDA Training Course List

There is a total of 120 hours of courses. The curriculum for the 120 hours of training is completely online. There are no text books or materials to print out.

The 120 hours is compiled of child care courses that are 1 to 3 hours each, they are self -paced courses and can be saved and resumed during any point in the course. There is a 10 question test at the end of each course. The questions on the test are completely based on the materials covered in that specific course. The student must get 70% or better to pass the test. If 70% is not achieved, then the training system automatically takes the student back through the course to review the materials that were missed on the test. The student may take the test as many times as needed to pass.

2. Resources and Tutorials

The resources and tutorials are designed to help the CDA student complete the process that is NOT part of the 120 hours of child care training. The tutorials have been added as a complimentary service to help students succeed in the online self-paced program. The content of the Resources and Tutorials is printable.

If the student enrolls in the complete CDA training package, the 120 hours of training must be complete within one year.

If you are concerned about completing it in one year, then you may want to consider enrolling in the program with the payment plan (pay-as-you-go). The payment plan allows the student to pay for the program one module at a time, and the courses for each module are added to the student training platform at the time of payment. Access to the courses are one year from the date which they are added to the training platform.

The CDA training does not have a final test after completing the 120 hours. However, there is an additional process to obtain a CDA Credential.

Successful Solutions does not grant the CDA. The CDA Credential is administered by the Council for Professional Recognition. Please note that although you may use our courses to obtain the 120 clock hours needed to apply for the CDA Credential, our company is a private organization and is in no way affiliated with the Council Professional Recognition.

Find us on U.S Department of Health and Human Services: National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center (NCCIC)

We are listed under Washington State and National training organizations.

 

 

 

Smart Horizons has been approved as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), 1780 Old Meadow Road, Suite 500 McLean, VA 22102

 

CEU courses provided in partnership with Smart Horizons.