The Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) is a nationally recognized entry level credential in the field of Early Childhood Education. It is issued by the Council for Professional Recognition. The CDA is designed for those individuals who are working with young children in all settings. The CDA will prepare you to meet the specific needs of children and work with parents and other adults to nurture children's physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth in a child development framework. The CDA is a mark of professionalism and gives assurance to parents and administrators that they have hired a competent individual to work with their children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why study CDA?

 

Attaining your CDA is just the beginning of your educational journey. It is the first step on the road to acquiring further education and degrees in the field. The acquisition of a CDA shows that you are a professional. You are someone who places importance on acquiring current knowledge and skills in your work with young children and families. An administrator preparing to hire staff will look for this credential as a sign of professionalism. The credential illustrates a certain level of knowledge acquired to work with young children. It also helps you to meet current State and National requirements. The State of New Jersey requires a person to have a CDA to work in the following program roles and settings;

 

• Teacher Assistant

• Group teacher

• Some Directors of Centers

• Lead Teacher's

• Highly recommended to Head teachers in their preparation of curriculum activities

 

Our activities include:

 

•  Singing

• Dancing

• Reading

• Understanding Outdoor play

• Counting

• Social development

• Story time

• Games

• Large and fine motor skill development

• Circle time

• Cooking

• Letter recognition files

• Character building activities

• Professional Ethics and Conduct

• Program Management

• Community Resources

• Family Relations

• Cultural Awareness

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to the Council for Professional Recognition Standards: The following are the different settings that you may be interested:

 

• Preschool (center-based)  A center-based preschool setting is a state-approved child development center where a Candidate can be observed working with a group of at least eight children, all of whom are aged 3 through 5 years old. In addition, a center-based program must have: (1) at least 10 children enrolled in the program (not necessarily in the Candidate's group), and (2) at least two caregivers working with the children on a regular basis.

• Infant/Toddler (center-based): A center-based infant-toddler setting is a state-approved child development center where a Candidate can be observed working with a group of at least three children, all of whom are under age 3. In addition, a center-based program must have: (1) at least 10 children enrolled in the program (not necessarily in the Candidate's group), and (2) at least two caregivers working with the children on a regular basis.

• Family Child Care: A family child care setting is a family child care home where a Candidate can be observed working with at least two children 5 years old or younger who are not related to the Candidate by blood or marriage. The setting must meet at least the minimum level of applicable state and/or local regulations. Family child care settings are also eligible in localities where there is no regulation of family child care.

• Home Visitor: A home visitor setting is an established program of home visits (to families with children 5 years old or younger) that supports parents in meeting the needs of their young children. In this setting, regular home visits are the primary method of program delivery. Candidates for a Home Visitor credential follow a slightly different assessment process

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For more information visit The Council for Professional Recognition site at: http://www.cdacouncil.org/the-cda-credential/about-the-cda/cda-settings

YVR Educational Institute’s Program Admission  Criteria

 

 

Admission Criteria: Candidates for admission to undergraduate level certificate programs must possess a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) diploma. A personal statement is also required.  Applications will be reviewed to determine whether prospective students can satisfy the writing requirements and overall responsibilities of a CDA candidate.

 

• Current employment and background as an assistant teacher is an advantage but not essential for admission.

• Upon admission into the program,

• students must also  Sign a statement of ethical conduct.

• Meet with the CDA Coordinator to identify a state-approved child development center where they can complete the required fieldwork hours per course and can be observed for final assessment, if intending to receive the CDA credential.

• If students are not currently employed by a state-approved Center, the CDA Coordinator will provide them with a list of approved programs, and will work with them to set up their fieldwork.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE: Students must see their advisor for further information.

 

 

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YVR Educational Institute

c/o Admissions

570  Clifton Avenue

Clifton NJ 07011

 

or fax registration at:

973-689-9533