Child Development Associate Program

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CDA scholars working with kids at Educare.

IDEA offers courses in child development through our partnership with the DC Office of the State Superintendent Education. Scholars may take earn their Child Development Associate credential by spending 120 hours learning in the classroom and completing 480 hours of practical, hands-on experience working with children in early childhood education programs. Hours spent in child care centers will also count toward scholars’ community service requirements for graduation. Scholars enrolled in our child development program gain knowledge and experience useful for entering a variety of fields including education, pediatrics, social work, and psychology.

Throughout the course, scholars assemble a portfolio that demonstrates everything they’ve learned about early childhood education. At the end of their course, a representative from the CDA Council evaluates the portfolios, observes scholars in the classroom working with children, administers a final exam, and issues the CDA credential.

Scholars who pass the exam receive their credential upon high school graduation. Credentialed graduates are eligible to work as teaching assistants for a licensed child care provider in DC and many other states. CDA certification can also be applied toward college credits if scholars wish to pursue their associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a related field. For example, Trinity University Washington gives its incoming students nine credits for their CDA credentials.

As part of DC Mayor Muriel Bowser’s initiative to increase the number of highly qualified child care workers in the city, OSSE helps prospective teachers find opportunities to continue their education while working in the field. For example, through the National Black Child Development Institute, individuals who have earned their CDA and who work at least 25 hours per week at a child care center are eligible to pursue an education degree and receive scholarship funding of up to 90% of their tuition. Some child care centers will also subsidize tuition for their employees. Many programs offer child care and transportation stipends for teaching assistants who are pursuing further education.

To learn more about the Child Development Associate credential from OSSE, visit https://osse.dc.gov/publication/first-step-overview