Frequently Asked Questions About CDA

How do I enroll?

Individuals can either request an application by calling 333-0698 or download by clicking on registration form. All applicants need to include the $95 registration fee when submitting a registration form.

What areas of emphasis are available?

• Center-based Preschool
• Center-based Infant/Toddler
• Family Day Care

What if I am a Home Visitor?

Sanford Children’s CHILD Services will provide:

• 120-hour series of classes
• the Caring for Children Preschool Series textbook
• National Council for Professional Recognition packet.

Home visitor students or home visitor employees – changed order will be responsible for the additional requirements of the Home Visitor CDA.

Because the Home Visitor setting is not an option the SDCDA program has elected to participate in; CHILD Services will not be able to offer mentoring or guidance in this setting.

Any questions will need to be directed to the National Council for Professional Recognition at 1-800-424-4310.

How long does the training take?

A requirement of the National Council is for a student to have completed 120 hours of education, in 8 subject areas, with a minimum of 10 hours in each of the 8 subject areas. To assist students in meeting that requirement CHILD Services has carefully designed a course of study, including direct and indirect class time, in the following eight subject areas:

• Safe and Healthy Learning Environments
• Physical and Intellectual Development
• Child Growth and Development
• Observing and Recording Children’s Behaviors
• Social and Emotional Growth
• Program Management
• Professionalism
• Building Relationships with Families

To assist students in meeting their training requirements CHILD Services provides a training program consisting of direct, in-class, training and indirect training hours based on outside class work. Students can complete the 120 hours of training in as little as 9 months (32 weeks) or up to 5 years. Class hours begin expiring after 5 years.

What is the cost of the program?

• Registration Fee is $95
• Tuition is $625
• Advisor Fee is $75
• Total cost: $795
• Final Assessment Application fee is $325

Is there financial assistance available?

Two scholarships are available:

• Students may choose to apply for training scholarship funded through the Department of Social Services, Office of Child Care Services. If awarded a training scholarship; funding applies only towards the cost of tuition ($400).
• Upon completion of CDA coursework, the Department of Social Services, Office of Child Care Services, has scholarship funding available for the $325.00 fee associated with the CDA Direct Assessment Application. Applications are available from the CDA Coordinator. Applications must be completed by the deadline determined by the Office of Child Care Services, and must be received prior to the date they wish to apply for your final assessment.

Are payment plans available?

Self-paying students are considered to be anyone paying for the CDA training course directly to CHILD Services by her/himself. Self-pay students will pay the following:

• Initial registration fee of $95.00
• 9 monthly payments of $69.44 ($625 for tuition)
• 1 payment of $75.00 (CDA Advisor Observation Fee)

Students receiving scholarship funding through the Office of Child Care Services will be responsible for paying the following:

• Initial registration fee of $95.00
• 9 monthly payments of $25.00 ( $225 for tuition)
• 1 payment of $75.00 (CDA Advisor Observation Fee)

Do you accept employer tuition reimbursement?

Students may have employers who agree to pay for the costs associated with obtaining a CDA credential. Students are encouraged to visit with their individual program to determine the process required for paying for the training. If needed, CHILD Services is willing to bill the employer for payment.

How long before I receive my credential?

After completing the 120 hours and the student has submitted the Direct Assessment Application form to the National Council, a Council Representative will be assigned to conduct the Verification Visit. The National Council Representative will contact the student directly to make arrangements for the date and place for the visit. The student should be contacted between 2-6 months after submitting their application.

Once the CDA Council Representative completes the Verification Visit, he or she has three working days to submit collected materials to the National Council for Professional Recognition. Once received, a committee reviews all materials submitted and makes the final determination to award the official credential to the candidate.

If awarded, the National Council for Professional Recognition will mail the student a letter congratulating them on the achievement plus a certificate suitable for framing. In the event that the National Council for Professional Recognition determines that the candidate needs additional training, the Council will contact the candidate and inform him/her of the decision. The Council will not contact the training program.

How long is the credential valid?

A CDA Credential is valid for three years from the date of award, after which it may be renewed for five year periods. At the request of the CDA, a renewal packet can be purchased for $10.00 plus $5.00 for shipping and handling or downloaded free at http://www.cdacouncil.org/. CDAs may renew their Credential only for the original setting, age-level endorsement, and specialization. The renewal fee is $50.00.

What do I need to do to renew?

All CDA Renewal Candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Document proof of a current Red Cross or other agency First Aid Certificate.
• Document proof of at least 4.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or a three-credit-hour course in early childhood education/child development, principles of adult learning, mental health counseling, etc. These hours must be in addition to the original 120 clock hours or three formal or informal educational experiences required when the Candidate obtained the CDA Credential. Bilingual CDAs must meet this requirement with coursework incorporating bilingual issues.
• Document proof of recent (within past year) work experience with young children or families of young children (a minimum of 80 hours).
• Select an Early Childhood Education Professional to complete a Letter of Recommendation Form regarding competence with young children.
• Document proof (within current year) of membership in a national or local early childhood professional organization. A list of suggested national organizations will be included in the renewal application packet.
• You can download the full renewal procedures at www.cdacouncil.org.
• The Council maintains a toll-free hotline to answer questions and to provide assistance. Call 1-800-424-4310 (toll-free) or 202-265-9090, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

What are Continuing Education Units for renewal?

CEU’s are units awarded for participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction. They are non-credit educational experiences. One Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is ten (10) contact hours of study.

The Council for Professional Recognition now requires proof of continuing education if the student wants to renew the credential. The proof must be in the form of either 4.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or a 3-credit hour college course in early childhood education. This additional training/course work must be after your original credential, or since your last renewal.

If the student decides to send CEU certificates, remember you need ten (10) hours of instruction for each CEU. Your certificates must read CEUs, not clock hours or contact hours.

A CEU will not earn you college credit, unless the sponsoring agency negotiated an agreement with a college to convert CEUs into academic credit. However, accumulating continuing education units is a way of documenting proof of personal and professional development for career enhancement.

There are many training entities offering CEUs, such as local community colleges, resource and referral agencies, Head Start programs, and State Departments of Education, vocational technical schools, and so forth.

If the student decides to choose the CEU to document your continuing education for renewal, please refer to the following information. There are ten (10) national criteria each agency awarding CEUs must meet. We recommend that you seek CEU training that supports the ten criteria we have outlined in this document.

7/31/2008