CDA Terminology

 

Child Development Associate: A Child Development Associate (CDA) has successfully completed the CDA assessment process and has been awarded the CDA credential. CDAs are able to meet the specific needs of children, and work with parents and other adults to nurture children's physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth in a child development framework.

Council for Professional Recognition: The Council sets the policies and procedures for assessment and credentialing, publishes the Competency Standards and other material used for CDA credentialing, and administers the assessment.

Settings: The CDA Credential is awarded for three child care settings and various endorsements: Preschool, infant/toddler, family child care and home visitor.

CDA Content Areas: CDA candidates must have 120 clock hours of formal child care education and in-service training.

CDA Competency Standards: The CDA Competency Standards are the national guidelines used to evaluate a caregiver's performance with children and families during the CDA assessment process. The Competency Standards are divided into six Competency Goals, which are statements of a general purpose or goal for caregiver behavior. The Competency Goals can be applied to all child care settings.

CDA Advisor: The advisor observes the candidate working as a lead teacher and uses the CDA Observation Instrument to record this observation(s). The Council does not require advisors to train candidates, although many advisors are also trainers.

Application Packet: The packet contains all of the documents candidates need to apply for CDA assessment. Each packet is customized for the selected child care setting and contains two copies of the CDA Competency Standards Book, instructions and instrument for the observation, scholarship information, parent questionnaires and the application form.

Professional Resource File: The file Is a collection of 17 specific resources to help the candidate in their work with children and families. This is one part of the CDA assessment process.

Parent Opinion Questionnaires: Asking parents to complete a questionnaire is one part of the CDA assessment process. Questionnaires allow parents to provide feedback on the candidate's classroom or family child care home.

CDA Assessment Observation Instrument: Advisors use the Observation Instrument during the CDA Candidate Assessment procedure to assess the more observable aspects of required competencies. 

Direct Assessment Application Form: Candidates use the Direct Assessment Application form to apply for CDA assessment.

Council Representative: A representative acts as the official agent of the Council for Professional Recognition. A representative administers and verifies the procedures and documents required for CDA Assessment.

Verification Visit: During a verification visit, a Council representative visits the candidate to verify competence and knowledge.

CDA—Terminology—Renewing—Steps