Accumulate at least 480 hours of experience working with children in five years. This experience can be paid or volunteer work. Examples of experience include volunteering at an elementary school, being a teacher's aide at a Head Start program, working as an assistant teacher in a preschool or volunteering at an after-school program.
Search for programs where you can obtain a CDA online. Because the program will be based online, your specific location in Georgia will not matter. If you are looking for schools that are specifically based in Georgia, some different options include Flint River Technical College, Central Georgia Technical College and Albany Technical College. All three of these programs meet the 120-hour-contact guideline the Council for Professional Recognition requires for certification.
Contact the program of your choice and enroll. Check with the admissions representative on any special fees, assessments or portfolio requirements necessary prior to graduating. Ask the representative about cost of tuition and any opportunities for financial aid.
Complete the 120 clock hours necessary to successfully obtain the CDA certificate from the Council for Professional Recognition. The 120 clock hours refers to successful completion of early childhood education curriculum at an approved and accredited institution. This curriculum must include at least 10 hours from each of the eight following topics of study; planning a safe, healthy, learning environment; steps to advance children's physical and intellectual development; positive ways to support children's social and emotional development; strategies to establish productive relationships with families; strategies to manage an effective program operation; maintaining a commitment to professionalism; observing and recording children's behavior; and principles of child development and learning.
Determine the specific CDA credential you are attempting to earn and purchase the application packet from the Council for Professional Recognition. The Preschool, Infant/Toddler, Family Child Care and Home Visitor packets are all $18 as of early 2011. Each packet contains all the documents candidates need to apply for the assessment, book of CDA competency standards and instructions for the observation.
Complete the Direct Assessment Observation in three phases. First, complete the forms in the application packet -- the Professional Resource File, Parent Opinion Questionnaires and CDA Assessment Observation Instrument. Second, send the application with the completed documents, verification of successful completion of the 120 course hours and an assessment fee of $325 to the Council for Professional Recognition to be evaluated. Third, schedule the verification visit, which consists of an early childhood studies review and and oral interview. These three phases must be completed to received your CDA credential.