The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood 
education (ECE) and is a key stepping stone on the path of career advancement in ECE.
The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ is based on a core set of competency standards, which guide early care professionals as they work toward becoming qualified teachers of young children. The Council works to ensure that the nationally-transferable CDA is a credible and valid credential, recognized by the profession as a vital part of professional development.
CDAs have knowledge of how to put the CDA Competency Standards into practice and understanding of why those standards help children move with success from one developmental stage to another. Put simply, CDAs know how to nurture the emotional, physical, intellectual, and social development of children.
Earning the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ has many advantages, including exposure to the larger community of early childhood educators. Over 300,000 educators have received their CDA to date!
Becoming a CDA is a big commitment, but one that creates confident practitioners with command of today’s best practices for teaching young children.
Benefits of the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™
Advance your career
Meet job requirements
Reinforce your commitment to early childhood education
Provide parents with peace of mind
Understand developmentally appropriate practice
Increase your confidence