| What's a CDA? |
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What Are the Steps to Attaining a CDA:
1) Determine what training route and means is right for you.
2) Successfully complete CDA training.
3) Request to take and pass the CDA assessment to earn the CDA Credential from the Council for Professional Recognition.
4) Renew the CDA Credential as required by the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C.
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| A CDA (Child Development Associate) Credential is a nationally recognized credential that says that the recipient has demonstrated the skills and knowledge necessary to support the emotional, social, physical, and developmental needs of young children. The CDA Credential is granted by the Council for Professional Recognition (http://www.cdacouncil.org) in Washington, D.C. to someone who has successfully completed the CDA training and passed the CDA direct assessment. The person earning the Credential is known as a Child Development Associate. |
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| How do I get CDA training? |
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While there are lots of places to get CDA training, the training is typically delivered in three basic ways: 1) through a college or university, 2) through a local organization or agency, or 3) online.
Some options for earning a CDA include:
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CARE Courses - have a total cost between $685 and $725 (for training, assessment, and renewal) | http://www.carecourses.com/cda
National Association for Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies - offers online training. Payment is made directly to the Council for Professional Recognition, and costs range fron $18 to $375, excluding books (for training, assessment, and renewal). After completing the CDA training and earning the CDA Credential, the Credential can "translate" into nine credit hours toward a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child Development at Nova Southeastern University's Fischler School | http://www.naccraa.smarthorizons.org/child-care-providers.html
Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children, Inc. (Indiana AEYC) - offers scholarships for CDA Training, CDA Assessment, and CDA Renewal either through T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® INDIANA or the Indiana Non Formal CDA Project. Scholarship recipients share a portion of the costs, but the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children, Inc. covers the bulk of the costs and, in some cases, pays release time and travel. Costs range from $2.50 to $100, depending on the scholarship award. However, costs may be recovered through completion bonuses or co-pay reimbursements.
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| What Is the Basic Difference Between Getting My CDA Through T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® INDIANA and the Indiana Non Formal CDA Project? |
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T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® INDIANA - offers three scholarships related to the CDA: 1) CDA Training Scholarship, 2) CDA Assesment Scholarship, and 3) CDA Renewal Scholarship. When CDA training courses are taken through T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® INDIANA, they are taken as a college/university student. Consequently, college/university credits are earned. The credits earned may, in some cases, be applied toward an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development. |
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Indiana Non Formal CDA Project - is not credit-based and college/university credit hours are not directly earned through successful completion of the training. Instead, training is offered through local agencies and organizations that have contracted with Indiana AEYC. The agencies are called "Grantees." The great thing about training through the Indiana Non Formal CDA Project is that doors open for you: When you successfully complete the required training hours, you become eligible to receive CDA Assessment and CDA Renewal scholarships through T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® INDIANA. What's more, should you decide to enter a college/university to study Early Childhood Education or Child Development after earning your CDA Credential, your Indiana Non Formal CDA Project training can be "translated' into credit hours at Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana! |
What's the Best Route to a CDA for You?
START HERE: Select one of the following options (in blue) that best describe you at this moment.
| Within the past five years, I have earned a degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development or taken at least 100 credit hours toward earning the degree. |
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If you already possess a degree, you have demonstrated skills and knowledge, and a CDA is not necessary.
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If you have taken courses toward the deree, you may already meet the qualifications for CDA training. To know for sure, you should contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency or the CDA National Credentialing Program (http://www.cdacouncil.org). If it is deteremined that the classes you have taken apply toward the CDA, you are eligible to apply for the CDA Assessment and CDA Renewal scholarships available through the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® INDIANA Project. |
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| I'm not interested in attaining a college/university degree |
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The Indiana Non Formal CDA Project may be a good option for you. After successfully completing your courses, you are eligible to apply for CDA Assessment and CDA Renewal scholarships through T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® INDIANA. |
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| I'm interested in attaining a college/university degree sometime in the near future |
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OPTION 1:
Receive CDA training, assessment, and renewal scholarships through T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® INDIANA. Taken this way, your CDA Credential will yield college/university credits that can be applied toward an Associate's Degree at Ivy Tech Community Collge of Indiana. T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® INDIANA offer scholarships for Associate's and Bachelor's Degrees in Early Childhood Education or Child Development as well.
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OPTION 2 (Step A):
Receive CDA training through an Indiana Non Formal CDA Project Grantee.
Note: Though these calsses do not automatically yield college/university credits, the Credential may translate to nine credit hours at Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana toward the pursuit of an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.
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OPTION 2 (Step B):
Apply for CDA Assessment and Renewal scholarships through T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® INDIANA.
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OPTION 2 (Step c):
When the time is right, apply for the Associate's Degree scholarship offered through T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® INDIANA. |
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