Digital cda open house presentation

Digital CDA Informational NightErin O’Hanlon

CDA Instructor

What is the Child Development Associate Certification?

• Nationally recognized certification

• Additional education and standards for Early Childhood Education

• State of NJ recognizes it as a group teacher certification

What is the Child Development Associate Certification?

• 120 clock hours• Candidates petition the CDA Council in

Washington for the Assessment• Includes comprehensive assessment process:

– Oral examination– multiple choice test– portfolio review– parent questionnaires– Observation by advisor

What are the steps to getting your CDA?

• Step 1 – Initial Interest– Find out more about CDA– CDACouncil.org– AboutCDA.webs.com– Is this the right certification for me? – Is this the right course for me?– Should I do digital or traditional?


• Step 2 – Do I fit the criteria to become a CDA?– be 18 years old or older– have a high school diploma or GED– be able to read and write English in order to

complete the training

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• Step 2 – Do I fit the criteria to become a CDA, continued?– be willing to sign a statement of ethical

conduct– have completed 480 hours of hands-on

experience working with young children in a licensed setting, or be able to complete this hands-on experience before petitioning for your CDA.


• Step 3 – Register for class– Online application form at XXXX– Accepted on a rolling basis until class is full,

and then put names on mailing list– Pay $150 seat fee online or contact instructor

regarding special circumstances– Purchase your book and your packet from

cdacouncil.org– Get a gmail account at mail.google.com


• Step 4 – Personal Orientation– Completed during the first two weeks of class– Can be via video chat– Enrollment as Self Sufficiency Client, and now

eligible for free classes from TWC and resume/job seeking assistance


• Step 5 – Complete the Training– Anticipate 5-7 hours of homework per week– Meet synchronously online on Sunday, 3-6 pm

(EST)– Work organized through Learning Management

System Moodle– Complete:

• the Resource Portfolio

• including your Autobiography

• 6 competency statements

• 17 resource items


• Step 5 – Complete the Training, con’t– Necessary equipment:

• a computer with Internet access that can be accessed daily• a working printer with ink• a headset (earphone and microphone combination --

available at most computer stores for approximately $25)• optional: a web cam for video chatting• a google email account (available for free at

mail.google.com)


• Step 6 – Advisor Observes Candidate– Advisor is actually an Observer– Must meet particular criteria– Complete the CDA Assessment Observation

Instrument (comes in your packet)– Advisor can register with CDA Council for

additional opportunities to “Advise”– Responsible to complete a part of the

application (application comes in your packet)


• Step 7 – Post Training Preparation– Complete the Parent Questionnaires– Complete CPR and First Aid on your own– 480 hands on hours should be completed– Resource Portfolio should be completed (done in

class)– Optional mock verification visit with instructor– Optional portfolio assessment and pre-verification visit

review with instructor– Apply for Assessment Fee Scholarship or save for

$325


• Step 8 – Petitioning (applying) the CDA Council– Send in the completed application (white page

only)– Copy of training certificate and training

verification letter (instructor provides)– $325 assessment fee or scholarship voucher


• Step 9 – Verification Visit– 4 hour visit with representative from Council– Can be done at training space or a center,

library, etc.– During it, the verification visitor will administer:– the Written Test– an Oral Interview– and Review Your Portfolio


• Step 10 – Awarded the CDA– Will come 1-3 months after verification visit – Will arrive in the mail– If Council doesn’t believe a candidate is

ready, will recommend areas for additional training

– Must be renewed every 3 years (process is online at cdacouncil.org, and not as complicated as initial certification)

What are the Advantages of having a CDA?

• Able to get group teacher certification

• Able to be Owner/Director of Licensed Center (with additional Master Teacher)

• Advancement within Child Care Centers

• Able to work as Aide within Public School Setting (with para-professional test)

What is the Cost for CDA?• Tuition, paid to TWC, is typically $975• Currently there is a scholarship program• Tuition doesn’t includes:

– Books– Materials– Application Packet

• The Assessment Fee, paid to the CDA Council in Washington, is $325

• Tuition does not include CPR/First Aid

What are the options for payment?

• ACWC offers a payment plan, which is $195 per month, for 5 months

• Abbott School District scholarships• Reimbursement Scholarship• Assessment Fee Scholarship• Post TANF Training Fund (4 months employed)• Community Scholarships (pageant/church/civic

organizations)• Job Connection – laid off or unemployed• Employers Supported Tuition!

How Does TWC’s Digital CDA Class Work?

• Offered on Sundays, 3-6 pm

• 10-11 weeks

• Synchronously -at the same time

• Important to have a computer with internet access, even a friend’s or the library’s

• Portfolio is completed as part of the out of class work

• Everything typed and submitted online

I want to take the CDA, so now what?

• Complete the application online

• Include the setting of your choice

• Payment by the first day of training via page

• If employer is paying, letter is necessary

• Come to training!

Thank You.• Questions and Answers

• Any additional questions, contact Erin O’Hanlon at 601-9925, ext. 201 or via email at [email protected]

Digital cda open house presentation

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