This document provides information about the Child Development Associate (CDA) certification process. It discusses that the CDA is a nationally recognized certification for early childhood educators. It outlines the 10 steps to obtain a CDA, including completing 120 hours of training, developing a portfolio, being observed teaching, and passing an assessment. It notes the costs associated with obtaining a CDA and options for financial assistance. The document encourages interested individuals to apply for the digital CDA training class.

1. Digital CDA Informational Night
Erin O’Hanlon
CDA Instructor

2. What is the Child Development
Associate Certification?
• Nationally recognized certification
• Additional education and standards for
Early Childhood Education
• State of NJ recognizes it as a group
teacher certification

3. What is the Child Development
Associate Certification?
• 120 clock hours
• Candidates petition the CDA Council in
Washington for the Assessment
• Includes comprehensive assessment process:
– Oral examination
– multiple choice test
– portfolio review
– parent questionnaires
– Observation by advisor

4. What are the steps to getting
your CDA?
• Step 1 – Initial Interest
– Find out more about CDA
– CDACouncil.org
– AboutCDA.webs.com
– Is this the right certification for me?
– Is this the right course for me?
– Should I do digital or traditional?

5. What are the steps to getting
your CDA?
• Step 2 – Do I fit the criteria to become a
CDA?
– be 18 years old or older
– have a high school diploma or GED
– be able to read and write English in order to
complete the training
(continued on next slide)

6. What are the steps to getting
your CDA?
• Step 2 – Do I fit the criteria to become a
CDA, continued?
– be willing to sign a statement of ethical
conduct
– have completed 480 hours of hands-on
experience working with young children in a
licensed setting, or be able to complete this
hands-on experience before petitioning for
your CDA.

7. What are the steps to getting
your CDA?
• Step 3 – Register for class
– Online application form at XXXX
– Accepted on a rolling basis until class is full,
and then put names on mailing list
– Pay $150 seat fee online or contact instructor
regarding special circumstances
– Purchase your book and your packet from
cdacouncil.org
– Get a gmail account at mail.google.com

8. What are the steps to getting
your CDA?
• Step 4 – Personal Orientation
– Completed during the first two weeks of class
– Can be via video chat
– Enrollment as Self Sufficiency Client, and now
eligible for free classes from TWC and
resume/job seeking assistance

9. What are the steps to getting
your CDA?
• Step 5 – Complete the Training
– Anticipate 5-7 hours of homework per week
– Meet synchronously online on Sunday, 3-6
pm (EST)
– Work organized through Learning
Management System Moodle
– Complete:
• the Resource Portfolio
• including your Autobiography
• 6 competency statements
• 17 resource items

10. What are the steps to getting
your CDA?
• Step 5 – Complete the Training, con’t
– Necessary equipment:
• a computer with Internet access that can be accessed daily
• a working printer with ink
• a headset (earphone and microphone combination --
available at most computer stores for approximately $25)
• optional: a web cam for video chatting
• a google email account (available for free at
mail.google.com)

11. What are the steps to getting
your CDA?
• Step 6 – Advisor Observes Candidate
– Advisor is actually an Observer
– Must meet particular criteria
– Complete the CDA Assessment Observation
Instrument (comes in your packet)
– Advisor can register with CDA Council for
additional opportunities to “Advise”
– Responsible to complete a part of the
application (application comes in your packet)

12. What are the steps to getting
your CDA?
• Step 7 – Post Training Preparation
– Complete the Parent Questionnaires
– Complete CPR and First Aid on your own
– 480 hands on hours should be completed
– Resource Portfolio should be completed (done in
class)
– Optional mock verification visit with instructor
– Optional portfolio assessment and pre-verification visit
review with instructor
– Apply for Assessment Fee Scholarship or save for
$325

13. What are the steps to getting
your CDA?
• Step 8 – Petitioning (applying) the CDA
Council
– Send in the completed application (white page
only)
– Copy of training certificate and training
verification letter (instructor provides)
– $325 assessment fee or scholarship voucher

14. What are the steps to getting
your CDA?
• Step 9 – Verification Visit
– 4 hour visit with representative from Council
– Can be done at training space or a center,
library, etc.
– During it, the verification visitor will administer:
– the Written Test
– an Oral Interview
– and Review Your Portfolio

15. What are the steps to getting
your CDA?
• Step 10 – Awarded the CDA
– Will come 1-3 months after verification visit
– Will arrive in the mail
– If Council doesn’t believe a candidate is
ready, will recommend areas for additional
training
– Must be renewed every 3 years (process is
online at cdacouncil.org, and not as
complicated as initial certification)

16. What are the Advantages of having
a CDA?
• Able to get group teacher certification
• Able to be Owner/Director of Licensed
Center (with additional Master Teacher)
• Advancement within Child Care Centers
• Able to work as Aide within Public School
Setting (with para-professional test)

17. What is the Cost for CDA?
• Tuition, paid to TWC, is typically $975
• Currently there is a scholarship
program
• Tuition doesn’t includes:
– Books
– Materials
– Application Packet
• The Assessment Fee, paid to the CDA
Council in Washington, is $325
• Tuition does not include CPR/First Aid

18. What are the options for payment?
• ACWC offers a payment plan, which is $195 per
month, for 5 months
• Abbott School District scholarships
• Reimbursement Scholarship
• Assessment Fee Scholarship
• Post TANF Training Fund (4 months employed)
• Community Scholarships (pageant/church/civic
organizations)
• Job Connection – laid off or unemployed
• Employers Supported Tuition!

19. How Does TWC’s Digital CDA
Class Work?
• Offered on Sundays, 3-6 pm
• 10-11 weeks
• Synchronously -at the same time
• Important to have a computer with internet
access, even a friend’s or the library’s
• Portfolio is completed as part of the out of
class work
• Everything typed and submitted online

20. I want to take the CDA, so now
what?
• Complete the application online
• Include the setting of your choice
• Payment by the first day of training via
page
• If employer is paying, letter is necessary
• Come to training!

21. Thank You.
• Questions and Answers
• Any additional questions, contact
Erin O’Hanlon at 601-9925, ext.
201 or via email at
erin.ohanlon@acwc.org