The Child Development Associate (CDA) is a national credential for early
care and education teachers, assistant teachers, family care providers
and other caregivers who work with children from birth to five years of
age. Receiving the CDA Credential means that the candidate has
demonstrated competence in the CDA Competency Standards including the
six Competency Goals and the thirteen Functional Areas. The CDA
Credential is recognized by Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of
Early Care and Learning (DECAL), The Georgia Training Approval and
Professional Development System, Licensing Standards, Georgia
Pre-Kindergarten Program Standards, the Head Start Program Performance
Standards, the National Association for the Education of Young Children
(NAEYC) Revised Center Accreditation Standards, and the National
Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC) Home Accreditation Standards,
as well as child and family services programs that serve military
children and families. The Council for Professional Recognition in
Washington, D.C. is the only organization that can award a CDA Credential.
Anita Smith
College of Family and Consumer Sciences
119 Dawson Hall
305 Sanford Dr
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-3622
Phone: 706-542-4917
FAX: 706-542-4862