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The Child Development
Associate (CDA) National Credentialing Program is a major national effort
initiated in 1971. The purpose of the program is to enhance the quality of
child care by defining; evaluating and recognizing the competence of child
care professionals and home visitors.
The CDA Credential is awarded by the Council for Professional
Recognition (the Council). The applicant must meet the following
eligibility requirements and submit records as instructed on the Direct
Assessment Application Form. (The Form is included as part of the
materials required for the courses. The fee for the CDA Credential,
payable to the Council -
NOT Jackson Community
College - is
about $325. Fee assistance is available through Michigan 4C and T.E.A.C.H.
Early ChildhoodŽ MICHIGAN)
Candidate Eligibility Requirements
1. Personal
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Be 18 years
of age or older
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Hold a High
School diploma or equivalent
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Be able to
speak, read, and write well enough to fulfill the responsibilities of a CDA
candidate
ˇ
Sign a
statement of ethical conduct
2. Setting*
ˇ
For a
Center-base Preschool CDA: Identify a state-approved child development
center where the Candidate can be observed working as a lead caregiver with
a group of at least eight children, who are ages 3-5 years.
ˇ
For a
Center-base Infant/Toddler CDA: Identify a state-approved child development
center where the Candidate can be observed working as a lead caregiver with
a group of at least three children, all of whom are under age 3.
ˇ
For A Family
Child Care CDA: Identify a state approved family child care home where the
Candidate can be observed working with at least two children, who are not
related to the Candidate by blood or marriage.
ˇ
For a
Bilingual CDA: Identify a state-approved program that has specific goals for
achieving bilingual development in children, using to languages consistently
in da8ly activities and helping parents understand the goals and to support
children's bilingual development.
*
Students not currently employed in a child care setting will need to spend
time in such an environment.
3. Experience
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For an
initial CDA: Candidate must have had, within the past five years, at least
480 hours of experience working/volunteering with children in settings as
described above, for the certificate being applied for.
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For a
Second-Setting CDA: Candidate must have at least 60 hours of experience
working/volunteering with children in settings as described above, for the
certificate being applied for.
4. Education:
Complete the following coursework and be certified for CPR & First Aid
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For a
Center-base Preschool or Family Child Care CDA:
ECE 246 Early Childhood Education
ECE 140 Early Childhood Guidance
ECE 142 Professionalism in Child Development
ECE 143 CDA Preparation (optional)
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For a
Center-base Infant/Toddler CDA:
Complete the coursework listed above, and EDU 131 Working
with Infants and Toddlers
ˇ
For a
Bilingual CDA: The entire training session is offered spring term
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For a
Second-Setting CDA: Courses depend upon certification being applied for.
Please talk with us to help in making the most appropriate decision for you.
Students planning to enter
the CDA credential program must complete the course placement assessment
given at JCC. Students with an ACT composite of 18 and mathematics score of
18 meet the competencies and are exempt from course placement assessment.
Students who complete course placement and who do not receive a minimum of
51 in reading and 1 or 2 in writing on the course placement assessment are
not eligible to enroll in more than two CDA required courses in one
semester. |
