A Child Development Associate (CDA) certification can open doors to a career in early childhood education. This credential serves as a formal recognition of an educator’s skills and knowledge. This article explores the job roles and career paths that become accessible after earning a CDA.
What is a CDA Certification?
The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is the most widely recognized national credential for professionals in the early childhood education field. Awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition, the CDA affirms an educator’s competence in working with young children from birth to age five. It demonstrates that an individual has mastered competency standards for fostering the healthy development of young minds.
To earn a CDA, candidates must complete 120 hours of professional education, 480 hours of work experience, and compile a professional portfolio. The process culminates in a verification visit and an exam. The credential can be specialized for different early childhood environments, including center-based preschools, infant-toddler programs, family child care homes, and home visitor programs, allowing educators to tailor their expertise.
The purpose of the CDA is to elevate the quality of early care and education by establishing a recognized standard of professional practice. It validates an educator’s ability to create a safe learning environment, support children’s social and emotional growth, and build productive relationships with families.
Common Jobs with a CDA Certification
A CDA credential is a primary qualification for many roles in early childhood education, as the training provides a deep understanding of child development. Common jobs include:
- A primary qualification for this role is often a CDA. The main responsibility is to plan and execute educational activities for children between the ages of three and five. Daily tasks involve creating lesson plans that foster intellectual and social-emotional growth, leading classroom activities, and assessing the developmental progress of each child.
- A CDA holder is well-suited for this job, which involves working with students individually or in small groups, helping to prepare materials for lessons, and assisting with classroom management. Assistants reinforce lessons planned by the lead teacher and document student progress, often as a stepping stone to becoming a lead teacher.
- A CDA can be the foundation for opening a licensed family child care business in one’s own home. The provider is responsible for all aspects of the business, from creating a safe and stimulating environment and planning age-appropriate activities to managing schedules and communicating with parents.
- Federally funded Head Start programs frequently require or prefer that staff hold a CDA. Roles can range from lead teacher to teacher assistant. Responsibilities include implementing a curriculum that meets Head Start’s performance standards, assessing child development, and engaging families in their child’s education.
- Caring for children from birth to age three requires a specialized skill set, which is the focus of the Infant-Toddler CDA. Caregivers are responsible for the primary needs of babies and toddlers, including feeding, diapering, and creating a nurturing environment. Daily tasks involve planning sensory and motor activities and tracking developmental milestones.
Typical Work Environments for CDA Holders
Many CDA holders find employment in private daycare or early learning centers, which can range from small businesses to large corporate chains. These environments are structured, with classrooms divided by age group and a curriculum that guides daily activities. The atmosphere is often busy and collaborative, with a team of teachers and assistants working together.
Publicly funded preschools, often located within elementary schools, are another common workplace. These pre-K programs follow a more structured, school-based calendar and curriculum. Working in a public school setting may involve more rigorous state licensing requirements and collaboration with other school personnel in a more formal structure.
Head Start facilities offer a work environment focused on providing comprehensive services to children and families from low-income backgrounds. These centers are community-based and place a strong emphasis on family engagement. The work is highly collaborative, involving family service workers and health coordinators.
A family child care home offers a distinct, home-based work setting. In this model, the provider operates a small business out of their residence, creating an intimate and flexible environment. This setting allows for a mixed-age group of children and a more personalized approach to care.
Advancing Your Career Beyond the CDA
The Child Development Associate credential is an important milestone and often the beginning of a career path in early childhood education. Many professionals use the CDA as a foundational step toward pursuing higher education. The credits earned through some CDA training programs can be transferred to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program in Early Childhood Education (ECE). This advancement can open the door to more specialized and leadership roles.
With a CDA, experience, and further education, an individual can move into advanced positions. A common career progression is to become a Child Care Center Director. This role involves overseeing the entire operation of a center, including managing staff, developing budgets, ensuring compliance with licensing regulations, and creating a vision for the center’s educational programs.
Another advanced role is that of a Curriculum Coordinator. These professionals are responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating the educational curriculum used in a center or across multiple locations. They train teachers on how to use the curriculum effectively and ensure that it is developmentally appropriate. Other possibilities include becoming a parent educator, a family support specialist, or a mentor for other early childhood professionals.