Program Description
CDA Training Courses in Pennsylvania | Prepare for Your CDA Exam
The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is the most widely recognized credential in the Early Childhood Education field and is awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition. Students at NPRC can choose to prepare for a CDA credential in Center-Based, Infant-Toddler; Center-Based, Preschool; Family Child Care; or Home Visitor.
To earn a CDA credential, students must have a high school diploma, complete 120 hours of professional education, complete 480 hours of work experience within the last three years at a licensed early childhood facility, compile a professional portfolio, pass the CDA exam, and have a satisfactory verification visit.
While NPRC does not directly grant the CDA Credential, NPRC has two pathways for helping you prepare for your CDA exam, professional portfolio, and verification visit.
The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Professional Development Organization (PDO) at the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is providing funding through the Northwest Institute of Research, LLC, Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 1 to underwrite the cost of tuition for this community-based CDA program. Currently employed child care workers wishing to acquire the CDA credential and participate in this training should contact the PDO to apply for funding.
Initiatives from the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning have made a shift toward stackable credentials and degree achievement for early care and education providers. In fact, thousands of dollars are available to current childcare workers seeking their CDA. Read more about how you can prepare to earn your CDA credential through our Early Childhood Education degree or workforce development training program and join our wait list today! Please contact a workforce development specialist for any additional questions you may have.
REGISTER TODAY!
Upcoming Courses
None available at this time.
For assistance with course registration, please email the Workforce Development division at workforcedev@rrcnpa.org.
Prior Learning Credit Toward NPRC’s Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education | What to Do With My CDA Credential
Students who are granted the CDA Credential by the Council for Professional Recognition may apply for prior learning credit toward NPRC’s Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education. This option offers students an opportunity to expand their earned CDA credentials into stackable ones. Regardless of the path taken to obtaining a CDA or School-Age Professional Credential, students who successfully acquire these credentials are eligible to apply for prior learning credit as part of NPRC’s Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education. This prior learning credit may be used to satisfy six credit hours of program requirements, ECE 110: Introduction to Early Childhood Education (3 credits) and ECE 118: Family Involvement and Collaboration (3 credits).
NPRC's Instagram
