Become a Certified Child Development Associate (CDA)

Childcare professionals play a vital role in early childhood development. This 100% course will provide the 45 hours, or 4.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), required by the CDA Council to fulfill and renew your Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. This course is selected from the 8 CDA competency areas to provide a breadth of knowledge, and they support the requirements for renewing your certification for Associates original settings, age-level endorsement, and specialization. Key topics include reviewing all procedures and strategies for creating a safe and enriching childcare environment.

GET THE SKILLS YOU NEED TO SHINE

Job Outlook for Childcare Professionals

  • The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the demand for childcare professionals is projected to increase by 11% through the year 2026, which is slightly faster than the average.
  • The average annual salary for childcare professionals is $21,170 and $28,790 for preschool teachers. With experience in the field, wage could increase. In fact, the median annual wage for a Childcare Center Director this year is $45,790.

Curriculum

FORTY-FIVE HOUR CREDENTIAL RENEWAL CATALOG

Learn and review all items involved and required for a child development associate. Upon successfully completing the course, you will fulfill the requirements for renewing your CDA credential.

COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL SKILLS

Discover the best methods for teaching basic social skills through the use of puppetry, play, circle time, and taking advantage of teachable moments. You will also learn about anger management for adults and survey proper workplace communication and confidentiality.

LEARNING AND SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT

Learn how to teach preschool math using manipulatives and discover how children learn the alphabet. You will survey the creation and use of individualized education plans, discuss routines and transitions, and plan the development of social skills for school-age children. You will also learn the best ways to support cultural diversity in early childhood education.

IDENTIFYING DISORDERS AND SPECIAL NEEDS

Discover how to identify a variety of health concerns, learning disorders, and special needs. You will obtain autism awareness training, survey the difficulties associated with attention deficit disorders, and learn how to fully assess a child's needs. You will also learn about HIV/AIDS awareness, child immunizations, whooping cough, and other infectious diseases.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

  • Renew your Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials online in the comfort of your own home.
  • Fulfill a CDA requirement easily and affordably.
  • Benefit from a convenient course designed especially for working adult students.
  • Gain the training you need to master the best practices for working with young children and their families.

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific prerequisites for taking this course.

REGISTRATION & ENROLLMENT

This course is 100% online. Start anytime.

Childcare Professional FAQs

Childcare professional ensure the welfare, health and safety of children under their care. Other common childcare job titles include:

  • Childcare Worker
  • Childcare Professional
  • Daycare Worker
  • Child Development Specialist
  • Child Development Center Assistant

Most work is completed in childcare centers, however some roles, like in-home daycare providers, will work at their own home or their clients' homes.

The CDA is a nationally-recognized credential that demonstrates a childcare professional’s skills, competencies and knowledge. According to the Council for Professional Recognition, CDAs are able to “nurture the emotional, physical, intellectual, and social development of children.”

Earning a Child Development Associate credential can be a steppingstone to career advancement in the early childhood education field. Many CDAs go on to work in education as preschool or elementary school teachers.