Are you a childcare professional who wants to move and advance your career? You’ve probably have heard about a Child Development Associate (CDA) certification then. Don’t know anything about how to be awarded this certification? You are on the right page! Keep reading on as we explain what a CDA certification is, how important it is, what it’s benefits are, and how to earn one.
What’s a CDA certification? Why is it important?
A CDA certification is awarded to applicants that have completed the requirements and met the competency standards. This is a nationally accepted credential in the field of Early childhood Education (ECE). It is awarded by the Council of Professional Recognition (CPR) and gives you the advantage of advancing your career in early childcare. This certification guides childcare professionals as they become more qualified in their field of expertise. It serves as recognition that you have the skills, knowledge, and ability to impact the young minds of children positively.
What benefits can you get by having a CDA certification?
A childcare professional who has earned a CDA certification can have the advantage of moving their careers forward. Having this certification will strengthen your profile and teaching capabilities. The CDA certification will also help you meet the standard of job requirements in Illinois. You will be provided with updated materials designed to inform you of the latest things you’ll need to stay ahead in the child development courses. This certification will validate that you are an expert in the field of early childcare and will give you the confidence to be great at what you do.
How is this certification earned?
Childcare professionals who have applied for this certification need to complete 120 hours of training for professional ECE. The training will include 10 hours of the 8 subject areas of the CDA that are specified by the council. 480 hours of work experience is also needed to be completed with the children under the specified group that the applicant is applying for. After completing these requirements, it’s time to submit your application online. Then a verification visit needs to be scheduled as well as the CDA exam. The certification is earned after you have passed both the visit and the exam.
If you are a childcare professional who is looking to advance your career in the field of early childcare, you have come to the right place. Here at National CDA Training, we provide the best training so you will successfully acquire this certification. Achieve the dreams you have been wishing for and start your career advancement journey with us!
CDA Credential Requirements in Illinois
Childcare licensing in Illinois is administered by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS), Licensing Division. Licensed childcare centers must comply with the Illinois Childcare Act and Rule 407, which governs staff qualifications, group sizes, and training requirements. Illinois has among the more robust professional development requirements in the country for childcare staff, and the CDA credential is widely recognized and valued across Illinois childcare programs.
Illinois’ ExceleRate Quality Rating System
Illinois’s Quality Rating and Improvement System is called ExceleRate Illinois, administered by the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA). Programs earn Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum Circle of Quality designations. Staff credentials—including the CDA—are scored within the Professional Development domain of the ExceleRate assessment. Higher-level programs may qualify for enhanced reimbursement rates under Illinois’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), the state’s CCDF-funded childcare subsidy.
For childcare licensing and quality rating information in Illinois, visit the IDCFS Child Care Licensing page or ExceleRate Illinois.
Illinois T.E.A.C.H. and WAGE$ Programs
Illinois participates in the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Scholarship Program and the WAGE$ salary supplement program. T.E.A.C.H. can help eligible Illinois childcare workers earn their CDA with significant scholarship support. WAGE$ provides ongoing salary supplements to credentialed educators who stay in their programs. Contact your local CCR&R agency through INCCRRA for current eligibility requirements in your Illinois county.