The Mississippi Child Development Associate Scholarship Program

What is a CDA?

A “CDA” is the Child Development Associate credential. A teacher with a CDA has successfully completed all of the requirements and has been awarded the CDA credential by the Council for Professional Recognition. The Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition (The Council) operates the CDA credentialing program as a major national effort to improve the qualifications of early childhood teachers and caregivers.

Many child care facilities encourage their lead teachers to earn the CDA credential within a certain length of time after employment. Other child care facilities require the CDA credential before an individual can be hired as a lead teacher.

The CDA credential indicates that the Child Development Associate has mastered these crucial early childhood teacher competencies:

1.   Planning a safe, healthy learning environment

2.   Steps to advance children’s physical and intellectual development

3.   Positive ways to support children’s social and emotional development

4.   Strategies to manage an effective program option

5.   Strategies to establish positive relationships with families

6.   Maintaining a commitment to professionalism

7.   Observing and recording children’s behavior

8.   Understanding principles of child growth and development

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