Getting a CDA Credential: All CDA Settings

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What is a CDA Credential?

A CDA is an early childhood education certification offered by the CDA Council for Professional Recognition. CDA stands for Child Development Associate Credential. Also called an ECE certificate or certificate in early childhood development, a CDA Credential is a great first step along your early childhood career. 

Start your CDA Credential Training

Care Courses' CDA training prepares CDA applicants for obtaining their CDA Credential. Our self-paced online CDA courses give you the flexibility to start and stop as much as you need. Care Courses training also includes unlimited, free CDA trainer and customer service support. Prefer to learn from books? Check out our CourseBook format for a hands-on, tactile learning experience.

How do you get a CDA Credential?

There are several steps to get your CDA Credential. One of these steps is to complete 120 clock hours of formal childcare training. Care Courses offers this training and is an official partner of the CDA Council and an one of the original "CDA Gold Standard Training Organizations." We have supported thousands of CDA applicants successfully complete their CDA training and receive their CDA Credential. Learn about each of the CDA steps including the professional portfolio, PD specialist, verification visit, and CDA exam below.

Steps to get your CDA Credential

Choose your CDA Setting and CDA Training

The Council offers CDA Credentials in the following childcare settings: infant & toddler center-based, preschooler center-based, family childcare, and home visitor. Choose your CDA setting below. 

Infant/Toddler Center-Based CDA Credential

Preschool Center-Based CDA Credential

Family Child Care CDA Credential

Home Visitor CDA Credential Information

Why Choose Care Courses for your CDA Training?

Care Courses' CDA training prepares CDA applicants for successfully obtaining their CDA Credential.

• We have a dedicated team of friendly CDA specialists, and we offer unlimited, free trainer and customer service support.
• We offer all of our CDA training in our fully online training format and our popular CourseBook training format enjoyed by early childhood professionals throughout the United States.
• We are an official partner of the CDA Council and an one of the original CDA Gold Standard Training Organizations.

Moreover, we have an exceptional track record. We have helped thousands of early childhood professionals successfully complete their CDA training and go on to get their CDA credentials. 

Official Partner of the CDA Council and CDA Gold Standard Training Organization

In July 2017, the CDA Council for Professional Recognition awarded Care Courses the new CDA Gold Standard certification in recognition of the quality of our courses, the unlimited, free support services we provide for our students, and our effective online and CourseBook training options. In 2022 we became an official partner of the Council. We are proud to work closely with the CDA Council to support early childhood professionals throughout the entire United States.

Try our Free CDA 101 Tutorial to Learn More About the CDA Process

Do You Need to Renew Your Current CDA Credential?

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What our CDA students say

“I am in love with the Care Courses! I love that I can do my studying between work, my family and everything else that I have going on. It's one of the most unstressful classes I have had. The material is so easy to follow and then I go online and answer the test questions from the comfort of my home. I HIGHLY recommend this online course for anyone looking to get their CDA certification. :) Thank you so much!”

- Las Vegas, Nevada

“I am working on my Child Development Associate for Preschool and have done my classes through Care Courses. The classes have always gone smoothly and I knew where to get help if I needed it. I am very glad I choose to take the CDA classes through Care Courses.”

- Eau Clair, Wisconsin

“I am very happy with the Care Courses. I purchased the books, so I could do them at home in my spare time. When I was finished, I took the test on line. Very user friendly. Your team is so helpful, professional and friendly. I have purchased a CDA Competency Standard Book. I have started my portfolio. Thank you, again.”

- Soldotna, Alaska

“I’m finding the CDA course to be very informative and enjoying the read. It is relevant and very easy to implement. I especially love the way it challenges my original thoughts about providing daycare. It has given me much food for thought”

- Glen Falls, New York

“I am enjoying the courses, I am on my second one and the process is very organized and user-friendly. I have a degree in secondary education and history. I taught preschool for 15 years and kindergarten for 20 years and I am pursuing my CDA. The courses are very informative. Great program!”

- Rosemary from Red Lion, Pennsylvania

“Everything is going great! I love being able to take the [Preschool CDA] courses at my convenience.”

- Christy from Salineville, Ohio

“I am having a ball doing these courses so much of it is very interesting and also touches a lot on what I learned in college. I graduated with a degree in forensic psychology but decided to go into child care and my director recommended me to take the CDA course. I think it is great.”

- Averne, New York

“I wanted to improve myself and decided to take CDA courses. The courses were interesting and I learned more about children and preschool. The more I got involved and understood, the more I like the CDA courses. It helped develop my potential for working with children. After obtaining my CDA certificate I applied and got a full-time job in a full-day classroom.”

- Ana from Montrose, Colorado

Start your CDA Credential Training