The CECPR has established a multi-step process for CDA certification. CDA applicants must complete 120 hours of formal educational training, complete 480 hours of professional experience in a child care setting, select a child care professional to act as a "CDA adviser," have the CDA adviser conduct a formal classroom observation and prepare a portfolio and parent survey related to the professional experience.
According to the CECPR, of the 120 hours of educational training, "no fewer than ten training hours must be taken in each of the following 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 operation, maintaining a commitment to professionalism, observing and recording children's behavior and understanding principles of child development and learning."
Many two-year colleges offer early-childhood education (commonly referred to as ECE) degree courses needed to prepare for CDA certification. Offerings include one-year "certificate of completion" or "certificate of achievement" tracks that are intended for current child-care workers and associate's in applied science (AAS) or associate's of arts (AAD) degree programs for those looking to enter the field and transfer to a four-year university. In addition to meeting the CDA formal education requirements, these degree programs require practicums and/or student teaching that will allow students to fulfill the professional experience, teacher observation and portfolio requirements for CDA certification. There are also a variety of CDA courses available online.
Exact courses offered for CDA certification preparation vary by educational institution or program but all should provide a mix of child-development theory, curriculum development, child-care management training, opportunities for observation, and in-classroom experience. Theory-based courses focus on the CDA areas of "advancing a child's physical, intellectual, social and emotional development" and "understanding principles of child development and learning." Theory-based courses include titles such as "Infants and Child Care," "Toddlers and Child Care," "Preschoolers and Child Care," "Fostering Social Competence," Child Development and Guidance," "Child Development and Learning," "Issues and Trends in Early Childhood Education," "Methods of Learning" and "Learning Environments."
Observation and documentation and curriculum development courses offer CDA preparation in the areas of "planning a safe and healthy learning environment" and "observing and recording a child's behavior." Many also meet the CDA professional experience and documentation requirements. Course titles include "Planning a Safe and Healthy Learning Environment," "Observation and Documentation," "Observing, Recording and Assessing Children's Development," "Many Ways to Learn," "Curriculum Development," "Math Methods in Early Childhood Education" and "Science Methods in Early Childhood Education".
CDA preparation training is rounded out by courses that cover the areas of "building productive relationships with families," "managing an effective program operation" and "maintaining a commitment to professionalism." Classes covering these topics include "Parents and Child Care," "The Early Childhood Professional," "Dynamics of Family Relationships" and "Child Care Administration".
Once those requirements have been met, individuals complete an application packet (available on the CECPR website), which is submitted with a fee to the CECPR. Once the completed packet is received, a CECPR representative will set up a time to meet to make sure that all requirements have been met. During the meeting, the representative will administer a two-hour exam and conduct an oral interview to evaluate knowledge of early childhood care and best educational practices. The representative and the CECPR committee will then review the packet, exam and interview to render a decision on awarding the CDA.