Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential

Abstract

The Child Development Associate® (CDA) is a nationally recognized credential based on demonstrated competencies widely understood to be essential for working with young children and accepted across the country as the foundational qualification for ECE educators. Since the creation of the CDA program in the early 1970s, the expansion of publicly funded early education programs and rising expectations for programs to address persistent gaps in developmental and educational outcomes for young children are shifting policy debates on educator qualifications. New degree mandates and program quality standards are presenting significant challenges for the field given its history of varied standards, low compensation, and a low skilled workforce with limited experience in postsecondary education. Despite these changes the competencies embedded in the CDA credentialing process remain the basis for new state and federal competency frameworks and career pathway systems to provide the workforce clearly articulated steps toward postsecondary degrees.