EC LEARN
Child Development Associate (CDA)
Preparation Program
Orientation
What is EC LEARN?
•EC LEARN is a new non-profit called Early Childhood Learning Education Assessment Resource Network, or EC Learn. It will partner with the Northern Kentucky Area Development District (NKADD) as a fiscal agent.
•This new initiative will fill a gap left in Northern Kentucky by the departure of services from Cincinnati-based 4C for Children.
Mission:
Promote a comprehensive approach to coordinating early
childhood services for young children by improving the quality of early learning experiences, raising the community awareness of early childhood development and advocating for children and families to inform public policy.
Vision:
Building access, awareness and connections of early childhood experiences supporting children, families, and workforce.
Provide: Identify and
develop resources for children family and workforce to increase access to
affordable quality childcare.
:PartnerPartnering
with early childhood professionals, school
districts, community and businesses.
Educate: Train and
develop early childhood professionals. Educate families on quality early learning experiences.
What is a CDA?
•
A competency based credential awarded to individuals who work with children ages birth to 5 years•
The purpose of the program is to enhance the quality of child care by defining, evaluating and recognizing the competence of child care providers and home visitors The Child Development Associate, or CDA is a person who isable 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.
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.
Who administers a CDA?
The Council for Professional Recognition
Mission of the CouncilThe Council for Professional Recognition promotes improved performance and recognition of professionals in the early childhood education of children ages birth to 5 years old.
Vision of the Council
The Council works to ensure that all
professional early childhood educators and caregivers meet the developmental,
emotional, and educational needs of our nation’s youngest children.
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http://www.cdacouncil.org
Personal:
___ I am 18 years or older
___ I hold a high school diploma or equivalent
___ 480 clock hours of experience working with children within three years of beginning your application
___ 120 hours of training in eight subject areas, all covered in EC LEARN CDA Preparation Program
Choosing a Setting: (choose A or B; if choosing A, choose a specialization) A. Center-based
___ I am employed at a licensed center with at least 10 children enrolled
___ There are at least two caregivers working at the center
Infant-Toddler:
___ I work with at least three children between the ages of birth-3 years.
___ and I have at least 480 hours of experience (or will have at the end of the program) working with this age group within the past three years in a group setting.
Preschool:
___ I work with at least eight children between the ages of 3-5 years.
___ and I have at least 480 hours of experience (or will have at the end of the program) working with this age group within the past three years in a group setting.
B. Family Child Care
___ I own or I am currently employed at a Kentucky State-Certified or Licensed Type II Family Child Care Home
___ I work with at least two children between the ages of birth-5 years who are not related to me.
___ and I have at least 480 hours of experience (or will have at the end of the program) working with this age group within the past three years in a group setting.
CDA Eligibility Requirements
Six Steps to CDA
Step One
• 120 hours of training in 8 Subject Areas (minimum of 10 in each area) • Complete a Professional Portfolio • Gather Family Questionnaires
Step Three
Step Five
• Complete the CDA Exam • Complete the Verification
Visit
• 480 hours of experience
• Identify CDA Professional Development Specialist • Apply online
• Wait for Credential Decision by the Council
Step Two
Step Four
Step Six
The R.O.R. Model™
The CDA Verification Visit has three parts based on the R.O.R. Model™:
Review - Observe - Reflect. The R.O.R. Model represents the tasks undertaken by the CDA PD Specialist that contribute to the assessment of Candidate competency. During the Verification Visit, the PD Specialist will:
Review the contents of the Candidate's Professional Portfolio (formerly the
Professional Resource File), training transcripts/certificates and Family Questionnaires.
Observe the Candidate working with children, recording criterion evidence
where applicable.
Reflect with the Candidate, focusing on the Candidate's areas of strength or
growth found in the Portfolio or seen during the Observation.
The Verification Visit
The CDA Exam
Pearson Vue Testing Locations
Northern Kentucky University Testing Services
1 Nunn Drive
University Center 101
Highland Heights, Kentucky 41099 United States
Gateway Community & Technical College
500 Technology Way Florence, Kentucky 41042 United States
Eight CDA Subject Areas
• Planning a safe and healthy learning environment.
• Advancing children’s physical and intellectual development. • Supporting children’s social and emotional development. • Building productive relationships with families.
• Managing an effective program.
• Maintaining a commitment to professionalism. • Observing and recording children’s behavior.
• Understanding principles of child development and learning.
Six CDA Competency Standards
1. To establish and maintain a safe, healthy and responsive learning environment
2. To advance physical and intellectual competence
3. To support social and emotional development and to provide positive guidance
4. To establish positive and productive partnerships with families 5. To ensure a well-run purposeful program responsive to participant
needs
6. To maintain a commitment to professionalism
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EC LEARN’s CDA Preparation
Program Curriculum
Professionalism Health and Safety
How Child Learn and Develop
Intentional and Reflective Teaching
Community and Family Collaborating
1
stSemester Sessions
Session
Number Session Title CDA Subject Area(s) Core Content Subject Area(s) PROFESSIONALISM
1.1 Commitment to Professionalism 6 3
1.2 Ethics of Professionalism 6 3
1.3 Evaluation of Quality 5 7
1.4 Principles and Theories 8 1
HEALTH & SAFETY
1.5 Maintaining a Safe Environment 1 1 & 7
1.6 Children’s Nutrition 1 & 4 2
1.7 Keeping Children Healthy 1 & 4 2
1.8 Keeping Children Safe 1 & 4 2
HOW CHILDREN LEARN AND DEVELOP
1.9 Overview of Child Development 8 1
1.10 Learning Through Play 8 & 2 1
1.11 Responsive Learning Environments 2 4
1.12 Positive Guidance 3 4
INTENTIONAL & REFLECTIVE TEACHING
1.13 Developmentally Appropriate Experiences 1 & 2 4
1.14 Evaluating Learning Environments 1 & 8 1
1.15 Observing Young Children 7 5 & 7
1.16 Exploring Curriculum and Planning 2 & 7 4
1.17 Individualized Planning 3 & 7 5 & 6
1.18 Exploring Learning Experiences 2 & 3 4
COMMUNITY AND FAMILY COLLABORATING RELATIONSHIPS
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2
ndSemester Sessions
Session
Number Session Title CDA Subject Area(s) Subject Area(s)Core Content PROFESSIONALISM
2.1 Setting Yourself Up for Success in the ECE Field 6 3
HEALTH & SAFETY
2.2 Promoting Health, Safety, Nutrition and Wellness 1 2
HOW CHILDREN LEARN AND DEVELOP
2.3 Developmental Milestones in Practice 8 1
2.4 Supporting Physical Development 2 1
2.5 Supporting Emotional Development 3 1
2.6 Supporting Social Development 3 1
2.7 Supporting Language Development 2 1
2.8 Supporting Cognitive Development 2 1
2.9 Content Areas: Math, Science and Social Studies 2 4
2.10 Content Areas: The Arts 2 & 3 4
INTENTIONAL & REFLECTIVE TEACHING
2.11 Child Assessment and Portfolios 7 5
2.12 Supporting Positive Guidance 3 & 4 1
2.13 Designing Learning Environments 3 & 1 4
2.14 Supporting Literacy Skills 2 4
2.15 Teacher-Made Resources for your Environment 7 & 5 4
COMMUNITY AND FAMILY COLLABORATING RELATIONSHIPS
2.16 Communicating with Families 4 6
2.17 Community Resources 5 6
2.18 Advocating for Children, Families and ECE Professionals 6 3
PROFESSIONALISM
2.19 Program Management 5 7
Kentucky Scholarship
Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
1. Be a Kentucky Resident
2. Work at one of these facilities at least 20 hours per week • State-Licensed Child Care Center (Kentucky)
• State-Certified or Licensed Family Child Care Home (Kentucky) • Preschool Program within a Kentucky Public School District
CDA Class Scholarships
Tuition Amount is $420
Scholarship funding covers this fee in full.
Textbook reimbursements are offered by student’s employer, up to $50 per semester
CDA application fee is $425. Grant funding covers this fee as well!
EC LEARN’s Delivery Method
Hallie Barth, [email protected]
Early Care and Education Coach: Professional Development Child Care Aware of Kentucky: Resource and Referral Network 500 Technology Way
At EC LEARN we value the importance of relationships. Although we are unable to meet in-person at a location because of the current Kentucky Healthy at Home regulations due to COVID-19, we will be meeting virtually each week through Zoom. We also realize that hosting CDA virtually allows more participants to access the course. In the future, EC LEARN may look toward a hybrid model involving both face-to-face and virtual classes. Each session on the previous two pages is worth three training hours. For virtual CDA, participants will complete a pre-assignment (1 hour of work) and attend a two-hour Zoom session.
Funding Opportunities
EC LEARN is working with a variety of community partners to help fund the program. If you are not eligible for the Kentucky scholarship below, we will work with you to find appropriate funding opportunities.
Why choose EC LEARN to get your CDA?
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Coursework:
• Coursework is meaningfully designed and implemented by quality instructors. • We have built our curriculum so that
topics are woven together as they are in real life.
• We integrate the 8 CDA subject areas into five major focus areas and each class builds upon previous classes.
Extensions
• Supports are in place and the entire agency is guiding you toward success! • Fieldtrips, guest speakers and make-it,
take-its are part of our plan.
• Individual coaching for all participants. • Individualized instruction is a priority,
and the instructor and coaches offer one-on-one support.
Relationships
• We know that the best way to establish and grow relationships is through hands-on experiences.
• Your experience will be rewarding and lead to lasting networking as you continue your career journey. • You will be encouraged to form
collaborative and lasting relationships with children and families.
Barb Herron CDA Instructor [email protected]
Bridget Jackson EC LEARN Support Staff [email protected]
Andrea Heil EC LEARN
Professional Development Specialist [email protected]
