Child Development Associate (CDA) Preparation
The CDA is a credential that is issued by the Council for Professional Recognition. This is a national credential earned by individuals working with children age five and younger in child care settings. The courses required for the CDA provide the training needed to fulfill the 120 clock hours required by the CDA Council to apply for the CDA Credential. There are additional requirements the CDA applicant must complete before applying to the National Council for Professional Development including 480 hours of experience working with young children ages birth - five (this excludes hours working with kindergarten children) within the last three years, a completed Portfolio, a CDA Exam and an Observation by a CDA Professional Development Specialist (PDS) among other documentation.
HFC Child Development Associate (CDA) Preparation
Note: Henry Ford College does not award or recommend the applicant to obtain the CDA. This is a separate process that the candidate must complete on his/her own. It is suggested that students applying for this credential are either currently working or volunteering in an early childhood setting. Interested students should consider completing the following courses for preparation prior to seeking the CDA credential.
Infant-Toddler CDA
- CHD-201: Child Development: Introduction to Creative Child Care
- CHD-202: Child Development CDA Portfolio/Assessment Preparation
- CHD-205: Infant/Toddler Care and Development
- CHD-215: Nurturing Infant & Toddler Relationships-Practicum
Preschool CDA: Required Courses
- CHD-201: Child Development: Introduction to Creative Child Care
- CHD-202: Child Development CDA Portfolio/Assessment Preparation
- CHD-206: Introduction to Preschool Development and Care