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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. The meaning of CDA is "Child Development Associates Credential." Also called an ece certificate or certificate in early childhood development, a CDA is a great first step along your early childhood career.

How do you get a CDA? Care Courses can help.

The Council offers CDA Credentials in the following childcare settings: infant & toddler center-based, preschooler center-based, family childcare, and home visitor. Click on the CDA settings below to learn more.

Care Courses' CDA training prepares CDA applicants for 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 tens of thousands of early childhood professionals successfully complete their CDA training and go on to get their CDA credentials. 

CDA Settings

Please click the settings below to learn more (includes information on the professional portfolio, PD specialist, verification visit, and CDA exam).

Infant/Toddler Center-Based CDA Credential

Image for Infant Toddler CDA Credential Infant/Toddler CDA Credential
Click for more information
Choose this setting if you work in a center setting and primarily care for infants and toddlers. You must be working with infants and toddlers to choose this setting. Click to learn more about Care Courses' CourseBook and online training, certificates, process and cost for the Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate credential.

Preschool Center-Based CDA Credential

Image for Preschool CDA Preschool CDA Credential
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Choose this setting if you work in a center setting and primarily care for preschoolers. You must be working with preschoolers (ages 3-5) to choose this setting. Click the photo to learn more about Care Courses' CourseBook and online training, certificates, process and cost for the Preschool Child Development Associate credential.

Family Child Care CDA Credential

Image for Family Childcare CDA Credential Family Childcare CDA Credential
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Choose this setting if you work in a residential home setting. Registered, licensed, and group home child care facilities fall in this category. Learn more about Care Courses' CourseBook and online CDA training, certificates, and process.

Home Visitor CDA Credential Information

Image for Home Visitor CDA Home Visitor
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Choose this setting if you make home visits and do not work in a home or center child care facility. You must be making home visits or work in a program that teaches parenting skills to adults to choose this setting. Click the photo to learn more about the Home Visitor Child Development Associate credential process.

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

Image for CDA Council Partnership Seal

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

Image for free CDA 101 tutorial CDA 101: A Practical Guide to Understanding The CDA Process
Online Tutorial / Free
This free online tutorial is for all early childhood professionals interested in the CDA Credential. Click to learn more.

Do You Need to Renew Your Current CDA Credential?

Image for Renewing a CDA Credential Renew your CDA Credential 
45 Clock Hours / 4.5 CEUs / Tuition varies
Renew an infant/toddler center-based, preschool center-based, or family childcare home CDA Credential. Click to learn more.

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 Claire, 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 techs are so helpful, professional and friendly. I have purchased a CDA Competency Standard Book. I have started my portfolio. Thank you, again. I know where to go if I need further assistance.
  - 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