Child Development Associate (CDA) Advisor Training : 1 Child Development Associate (CDA) Advisor Training Lisa Belliston, Ph.D.
Victoria Hawkins, M.A.Ed.
Quality Care for Children
Someone with a CDA… : 2 …is a person who is able to meet the specific needs of children and who, with parents and other adults, works to nurture children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth in a child development framework. Someone with a CDA… The CDA Credential is… … awarded to child care providers and home visitors who have demonstrated their skill in working with young children and their families by successfully completing the CDA assessment process.
Steps in the Direct Assessment Process : 3 Steps in the Direct Assessment Process Step 1: Applicant contacts The Council for Professional Recognition for Application Packet. The packet has all the necessary forms/booklets (Cost: around $18).
Step 2: The Council sends to applicant:
application form and fee schedule
description of CDA Competency Standards and Assessment procedures
verification documents and forms to be filled out
Steps in the Direct Assessment Process : 4 Steps in the Direct Assessment Process Step 3: Prepare documentation of competence (Professional Resource File, Parent Opinion Questionnaire, Formal Observation).
Step 4: Submits fees and application form to The Council (Cost: $325). The Council sends assigned date and place for written situational assessment and oral interview by a Council Representative.
Steps in the Direct Assessment Process : 5 Steps in the Direct Assessment Process Step 5: Meet with Council Representative who:
administers Early Childhood Review/Multiple Choice Exam
conducts situational assessment
reviews documentation of competence (i.e. resource file)
collects Advisor Observation Report and Parent Questionnaires
Steps in the Direct Assessment Process : 6 Steps in the Direct Assessment Process Step 6: Council Representative sends materials to The Council for scoring decision
Step 7: The Council Review Commission scores assessment and issues/denies Child Development Credential
Who is a CDA Advisor? : 7 Who is a CDA Advisor? A professional in early childhood education who observes the Candidate at work and completes the CDA Assessment Observation Instrument
CDA Advisor Requirements: Personal : 8 CDA Advisor Requirements: Personal Ability to relate to people of various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds
Knowledgeable about local, state, and national requirements, standards, and guidelines for child care programs serving children birth through 5
Familiar with child care and the needs of families and children in the community
CDA Advisor RequirementsEducation: Option 1 : 9 CDA Advisor RequirementsEducation: Option 1 B.A., B.S., or advanced degree in early childhood education/child development, home economics/child development, from an accredited college or university. (12 semester hours covering children from birth through 5 years)
PLUS
Two years of experience in a child care setting serving children birth through 5 years. 1 year working directly with children in the same age range as the children in the Candidates setting as a caregiver, teacher, child life worker, social worker, or similar role; AND 1 year of responsibility for the professional growth of another adult.
CDA Advisor RequirementsEducation: Option 2 : 10 CDA Advisor RequirementsEducation: Option 2 Associate level (2-year) degree in early childhood education/child development, home economics/child development, from an accredited college or university. (12 semester hours covering children from birth through 5 years)
PLUS
Four years of experience in a child care setting serving children birth through 5 years. 2 years working directly with children in the same age range as the children in the Candidates setting as a caregiver, teacher, child life worker, social worker, or similar role; AND 2 years of responsibility for the professional growth of another adult.
CDA Advisor Requirements: Education Option 3 : 11 CDA Advisor Requirements: Education Option 3 A valid CDA Credential. (12 semester hours of study in early childhood education or child development at an accredited college or university covering children from birth through 5 years)
PLUS
Six years of experience in a child care setting serving children birth through 5 years. 4 years working directly with children in the same age range as the children in the Candidates setting as a caregiver, teacher, child life worker, social worker, or similar role; AND 2 years of responsibility for the professional growth of another adult.
Advisor Roles : 12 Advisor Roles Minimum Requirements
Schedule the observation
Read the observation instrument
Complete the instrument Technical Assistance Model
Schedule a TA visit
Complete a competency based checklist
Give feedback to Candidate
Schedule the observation visit
Complete the Instrument