Renewal Procedures Guide - Infant-Toddler Edition

e Child Development Associate® (CDA)

National Credentialing Program

Renewal Procedures Guide

This Guide Book contains complete instrucons for CDA Renewal

Infant-Toddler Edion

e Child Development Associate® (CDA)

National Credentialing Program

Renewal Procedures Guide

Infant-Toddler Edion

e Council for Professional Recognition

2460 16th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009-3547

Local: 202-265-9090 Toll Free: 800-424-4310

Visit the Council’s Website at www.cdacouncil.org.

in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including but not limited to photocopying, recording,

scanning web distribution, information networks, information storage and retrieval systems without the prior

written permission from the Council for Professional Recognition.

Renewal Procedures Guide - Infant-Toddler Edition

Available online for download

December 2015

Table of Contents

Before You Renew �� 1

1. When should you start preparing for CDA renewal? ............................................... 1

2. When do I apply for CDA renewal? .......................................................................... 1

Prepare to Renew Your CDA �� 2

1. Aend connuing educaon or training courses .................................................... 2

Educaon Requirements .......................................................................................... 2

a. What are Connuing Educaon Units? .......................................................... 2

b. What is a 3 Credit- hour course? .................................................................... 2

c. What are clock hours? ................................................................................... 2

d. What are clock hours? ................................................................................... 2

The Council accepts three (3) forms of vericaon of coursework specic to the

Infant-Toddler seng ............................................................................................... 3

2. Choose an ECE professional to write your recommendaon ................................... 4

3. Achieve First Aid and Infant/Child (Pediatric) CPR cercaon ............................... 4

4. Work with young children ........................................................................................ 5

5. Join or renew your membership in a naonal or local early childhood professional

organizaon.............................................................................................................. 5

Apply & Demonstrate �� 6

1. Apply Online ............................................................................................................. 6

Online Renewal Tips ................................................................................................. 6

The Council’s Online Renewal Process ..................................................................... 6

Online Payment ........................................................................................................ 7

2. Apply on Paper ......................................................................................................... 7

CDA Renewal Checklist �� 9

CDA Renewal Applicaon ��10

Table of Contents (connued)

Informaon for the Early Childhood Educaon (ECE) Reviewer ��13

Wring the Recommendaon ................................................................................ 14

Infant-Toddler ECE Reviewer Eligibility Requirements ��15

Educaon and Experience ...................................................................................... 15

Conict of Interest .................................................................................................. 16

CDA Competency Standards At-A-Glance ............................................................... 17

Recommendaon Form ��19

Frequently Asked Quesons ��21

Appendices ��25

A. Training Vericaon Form - Completed by Center/Program Director or other

Authorized Sta ..................................................................................................... 27

B. Training Agency Leer Template ........................................................................ 29

C. Sample College Transcript .................................................................................. 31

INFANT-TODDLER RENEWAL

Renewal Procedures Guide 10/15

Before You Renew

When should I begin preparing for CDA renewal?

You can begin preparing for your CDA renewal as soon as you earn your CDA Credential. You

should be preparing for your renewal well in advance of your application submission date.

When do I apply for CDA renewal?

Check to see when your current credential expires.

• Your CDA is valid for three years from the award date (See note below)

You can apply for CDA renewal six months before your credential expires. Please remember

to complete the ve preparatory steps outlined on pages 2-6, before you begin the application

process.

Please Note: CDA Credentials with an award and renewal date on or after July 1, 2013 are

valid for three years from the date of award. is means you must renew your CDA Credential

before it expires in order to remain an active CDA, no exceptions or extensions. If your CDA

Credential expires, you will have to reapply as a new/rst-time CDA Candidate. With an

active email address you can receive notices to let you know ahead of time before your CDA

Credential expires.

Before you can renew your CDA, you will need to complete ve steps,

check each box as you complete them:

 Attend continuing education or training courses in the Infant-Toddler setting

(ages birth-36 months)

 Choose an early childhood education (ECE) professional to write your

recommendation

 Achieve First Aid and Infant/Child (Pediatric) CPR certication

 Work with young children in the Infant-Toddler setting (ages birth-36 months)

 Join or renew your membership in a national or local early childhood professional

organization

Please Note: All of the above items should be completed before applying for CDA

renewal.

2 Council for Professional Recognion | www.cdacouncil.org

INFANT-TODDLER RENEWAL

Prepare to Renew Your CDA

1� Aend connuing educaon or training courses

Educaon Requirements

In order to renew your CDA Credential you must provide documented proof of early

childhood/child development training. You can gain additional education through

participation in a wide variety of training courses available in the eld, including training

from in-service workshops and association-sponsored events that oer continuing education

units, course credit or clock hours. You should not re-take the exact same courses you

studied when applying for your original credential. To meet the minimum requirements

for CDA renewal, you may choose one of the following types of training for the Infant-

Toddler setting (children ages birth-36 months):

• 4.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

• One 3 credit-hour course (College Credit)

• 45 clock hours of training in early childhood development

CEUs and college credit coursework may be obtained at career and technical community

colleges, (2-year and 4-year colleges) and universities. Many other organizations also oer

CEUs. CEUs and/or college credits may be earned from a single training agency/institution

or a combination of agencies/institutions.

a. What are continuing education units (CEUs)?

CEUs are educational units of measure that equal 10 clock/training hours of

participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible

sponsorship, capable direction, and qualied instruction. erefore: 4.5 CEUs = 45

clock/training hours of instruction. Learn more here: www.cdacouncil.org/renewal.

b. What is a 3 credit-hour course?

A 3 credit-hour course is a semester-long class at an accredited 2- or 4-year College

or University.

c. What are clock hours?

A clock hour is equivalent to 60 minutes (1 hour). erefore: 45 clock hours of

training instruction = 4.5 CEUs or a 3 credit-hour course.

INFANT-TODDLER RENEWAL

Renewal Procedures Guide 10/15

Please keep in mind:

All professional education hours must be awarded by an agency or organization with

expertise in early childhood teacher preparation. Education may be completed through

a wide variety of training organizations, including two and four year colleges, private

training organizations, vocational technical schools, resource and referral agencies and early

childhood education programs that sponsor training (such as Head Start and the U.S.

Military).

You may accumulate the hours from a single training agency or from a combination of

programs. Agencies or organizations may provide verication of your education in the form

of a college or university transcript, ocial certicate, or a letter on the agency’s ocial

letterhead. In-service hours are acceptable.

e Council for Professional Recognition requires that Candidates submit one document

to verify their professional education training:

• All coursework must have been completed since you obtained your previous CDA

Credential (training attended before your previous CDA may not be used to

meet the renewal requirement).

• For CDAs with a Infant-Toddler credential, All coursework must be in early

childhood education and/or child development for ages birth to 36 months.

The Council accepts three (3) forms of vericaon of coursework specic to

the Infant-Toddler seng:

a. College or University transcript (Transcript must include the college or university’s

name and the renewal Candidate’s name. In addition, the course must reect successful

completion.)

b. Verication letter on the training agency’s ocial letterhead, which includes original

signature, title and contact information of person verifying training.

c. Training Verication Form (ocial form included in this packet) - is form should

be used by CDA Candidates with training certicates and/or training obtained from

multiple sources.

Please Note: All training is subject to audit at any time of the CDA Renewal, which means

the Council may request all training documentation at any time.

4 Council for Professional Recognion | www.cdacouncil.org

INFANT-TODDLER RENEWAL

2� Choose an ECE professional to write your recommendaon

You will need to choose an ECE Professional to serve as your ECE Reviewer. Choose

someone you know who meets the experience and education requirements included in the

Information for the Early Childhood Education Reviewer.

is person must have current (within the past year) knowledge of your skills and abilities

working with young children in the Infant-Toddler setting (ages birth-36 months).

e ECE Reviewer can be an education coordinator, a co-worker, a center director, or a

member of an early childhood organization to which you belong.

In addition, the ECE Reviewer must be an individual with training in early childhood

education or child development and have direct experience with programs for young

children and their families.

Please refer to the Information for the Early Childhood Education Reviewer section of this

guide for a complete list of eligibility requirements.

Please Note: To apply online, you will need to have your ECE Reviewer’s email address.

3� Achieve First Aid and Infant/Child (Pediatric) CPR cercaon

You will need to provide proof of valid and current certicate(s) and/or card(s) of

completion from both: a) Any First Aid course and b) An Infant/Child (Pediatric) CPR

course.

Courses must be oered by a nationally recognized training organization (such as the

American Red Cross or the American Heart Association). e Council will accept training

provided through smaller training agencies. However, documentation of training must

include the following to be accepted:

• Training agency’s name

• Training agency’s ocial seal or logo and/or mailing address

• Renewal Candidate’s name

• Issue date and expiration date (“or valid for” timeframe)

• Instructor’s Signature

• Instructor’s certication number

Please Note: Online training and training provided by an individual consultant is not

acceptable.

INFANT-TODDLER RENEWAL

Renewal Procedures Guide 10/15

4� Work with young children

Within one year prior to your renewal, you must have worked a minimum of 80 hours with

children in the Infant-Toddler (ages birth-36 months) setting.

If your employment does not include 80 hours during the past year, there are other ways

to meet the requirement. For example, you could visit and volunteer in an early childhood

setting to participate in a special project, organize and implement a family-oriented event,

or sponsor a hands-on activity or eld trip with children . You may show proof of this type

of work (volunteer or paid) to your ECE Reviewer who will verify your 80 hours of service.

A valid CDA Credential indicates you have maintained your competence in educating and

caring for young children in the Infant-Toddler setting (ages birth-36 months). erefore,

it is necessary to maintain a current relationship with young children, even if you no longer

work directly with them.

5� Join or renew your membership in a naonal or local early

childhood professional organizaon

You need to be a current member of a national or local early childhood professional

organization. Your membership must be active/current at the time the Council receives

your renewal information. is may be an individual or agency membership.

e eld of early childhood education includes an abundance of organizations that support

the professional development of early childhood educators and promote improvements in

services to young children. ECE professionals become members of these associations to

help them grow professionally, stay current on early childhood issues, and participate in

group eorts to promote positive change.

If your organization does not provide a membership card, you may submit their letter

thanking you for becoming a member. We will also accept proof of payment receipt of your

membership.

Please Note: e Council does not accept the following types of early childhood organization

membership to fulll the renewal requirements:

• State Registry organization membership

• Parent Teacher Association (PTA) membership

• Magazine subscription membership

For more information, the Council has a list of ECE membership associations that you may

join on our website, here: www.cdacouncil.org/ece-organizations.

6 Council for Professional Recognion | www.cdacouncil.org

INFANT-TODDLER RENEWAL

Apply and Demonstrate

1� Apply Online

Once you have prepared for your renewal, you can submit your application and payment

online using the YourCDA online application system.

To get started follow these 3 easy steps:

1. Register for a YourCDA online account here: www.cdacouncil.org/yourcda. In

the YourCDA Login box, click “New User Registration” (Note: Make sure to select

“Yes” when asked, “Have you ever applied for a CDA Credential?”)

2. You will receive a conrmation email, use the username and temporary

password to login to YourCDA. You will be prompted to change your password.

3. Follow the instructions online to complete your application and submit your

payment. Note: You will be asked to upload using YourCDA the renewal documents

verifying that you have met all renewal requirements.

Please Note: e ECE Reviewer email address is required to complete the online renewal

process. You will be prompted by the online application system to send your ECE Reviewer

a recommendation request. e ECE Reviewer will send the electronic recommendation

directly to the Council.

Online Renewal Tips

What will I need in order to renew online?

• Internet access

• A valid email address

• Your ECE Reviewer’s email address

• Full payment of $125 online renewal processing fee

• All required renewal documents, including training, choosing an early childhood

professional to write your recommendation, rst aid, infant/child (pediatric) CPR,

work experience and membership in an early childhood professional organization.

The Council’s Online Review Process

You will be asked to upload directly to YourCDA the documents verifying that you have met

all renewal requirements, including professional education training, your early childhood

reviewer’s email address, rst aid, infant/child (pediatric) CPR, and membership in an

early childhood professional organization. You will them be prompted to make the renewal

payment. Documents that are postal mailed, emailed, or faxed are not acceptable and

will not be reviewed.

INFANT-TODDLER RENEWAL

Renewal Procedures Guide 10/15

Online Payment

e Council oers several methods to pay online. e online processing fee is $125, which

you can pay by:

• Credit card

• Money order*

• Personal check*

• E-Check

• Voucher

• Payment authorization letter

*If paying by money order or check you must mail-in your payment, along with the

YourCDA cover letter.

2� Apply on Paper

If you need to renew using a paper application, you can do so by lling out the paper

application enclosed in this CDA Renewal Procedures Guide.

Please note that with a paper application, you will need to send in the completed ocial

ECE Reviewer Recommendation Form or a letter of recommendation from the ECE Reviewer

(Please refer to page 19 in the ECE Reviewer section for details).

Along with your completed paper application, please collect the following documents and

mail to the Council:

• Check, money order, or scholarship voucher for $150 (If paying with a credit card,

please complete the Section C on the application.)

• Training documentation

h College or University transcript

h Agency/training organization verication letter

h Training Verication Form

• Your ECE Reviewer recommendation (Includes verication of 80 hours work

experience with young children in the Infant-Toddler setting (ages birth-36 months)

• A copy of your First Aid certication and Infant/Child (Pediatric) CPR

• Proof of membership in an early childhood educational professional

organization

Tips about Paper (mail-in) Renewal

• Use the Checklist located on page 9 to ensure that all steps are followed for the

paper renewal process

• Write clearly and legibly on the paper application

INFANT-TODDLER RENEWAL

Renewal Procedures Guide 10/15

CDA Renewal Checklist

Please feel free to use this handy checklist to keep track of your completed steps as you

prepare and apply for your CDA renewal:

Preparing for your CDA Renewal

 Complete professional educaon training courses or connuing educaon (4.5 CEUs, a 3

credit-hour course or 45 clock hours).

 Achieve First Aid and Infant/Child (Pediatric) CPR cercaon.

 Work with young children ages birth-36 months (80 hours minimum within the past

year).

 Choose an ECE professional to write your recommendaon.

 Join or renew your membership in a naonal or local ECE professional organizaon.

Applying & Demonstrang for your CDA Renewal

 A. Finalize your ECE Reviewer Recommendaon.

If applying online: Ask your ECE Reviewer for his/her email address. You will be

prompted by the online applicaon system to send the ECE Reviewer recommendaon

request.

If applying on paper: Ask your ECE Reviewer to complete Secon D of your CDA

Renewal Applicaon and the Recommendaon Form on page 19. Your ECE Reviewer

may also choose to type a leer of recommendaon for you to aach with your renewal

applicaon. (Note: Please see the Recommendaon Form in the Early Childhood

Educaon Reviewer secon for complete instrucons.)

 B� Make a copy and submit your professional educaon training documentaon

(transcript, leer or Training Vericaon Form)

 C. Make a copy of your current First Aid and Infant/Child (Pediatric) CPR cercaon.

 D. Make a copy of your proof of membership in a naonal or local ECE associaon.

If applying online: Once you have uploaded your documents to the YourCDA online

applicaon, submit the $125 payment step of the online applicaon process, this will

transmit your applicaon to the Council for review.

If applying on paper: Mail the above documents, A-D, along with your credit card

informaon, check or money order for $150, payable to the Council for Professional

Recognion.

**All documents including payment (includes scholarships, vouchers, agency checks) should

be mailed together.

MAIL TO: Council for Professional Recognion

2460 16th Street NW

Washington, DC 20009

CDA Renewal Applicaon - PART 1 of 3

The Child Development Associate

National Credentialing Program

Infant-Toddler Renewal Application

Please print legibly and be sure to retain a photocopy for your records. Your CDA credenaling me will be signicantly increased

if your applicaon is not legible.

APPLICATIONS THAT ARE INCOMPLETE OR MISSING PAYMENT WILL BE RETURNED.

Instead of using this applicaon, consider applying online for faster results!

To ll out this Applicaon online please visit, www.cdacouncil.org/YourCDA.

B. Seng of your current Credenal: Infant-Toddler seng (birth-36 months)

You are only permied to renew in the seng of your current credenal. If your current CDA Credenal seng is

not Infant-Toddler, please download the correct Renewal Procedures Guide for your current credenal seng.

A. Candidate Informaon (As it appears on current CDA Credenal)

First Name*: Middle Name:

Last Name*:

Name Change (oponal): If your name is dierent from how it appears on your current CDA

Credenal, please complete the name elds below and aach ocial documentaon to show proof of

this change� Example: Marriage cercate or divorce decree.

Update First Name:

Update Last Name:

Mailing Address*:

Address Connued:

City

: State

: Zip Code

Email:

Primary Phone #*: - - Alternate Phone #: - -

Last 4 digits of Social Security Number *: Date of Birth*:

* Indicates required eld

Please indicate if your Credenal has a language specializaon: (Check one)

Bilingual: ________________________ Monolingual: ________________________

Month Date Year

C. Payment

Applicaon Fee: $150.00

Please note that the Applicaon fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Applicaons sent without payment will not

be processed. Only check, money order or credit card payments will be accepted. Cash will not be accepted.

Enclosed is a non-refundable check or money order made payable to the Council for Professional Recognion.

An agency is paying all or part of my applicaon fee. I have enclosed my payment authorizaon leer as a

substuon for my payment.

I would like to pay with a credit card. (Complete credit card secon on next page)

CDA Renewal Applicaon - PART 2 of 3

If you have selected to pay with credit card, please complete all of the elds below:

Select form of payment: VISA MASTERCARD DISCOVER

Card Number:

EXP Date: / CVC Code:

Dollar Amount: $ ________________________

Name on Card: _______________________________________________________________________

Billing Address: _______________________________________________________________________

City: _______________________________________ State: _________ Zip Code: __________________

Authorized Signature: __________________________________________________________________

D. Early Childhood Educaon (ECE) Reviewer Informaon:

(To be completed and signed by ECE Reviewer only. Please print legibly.)

First Name ______________________________________________________________ Middle Inial ______

Last Name ________________________________________________________________________________

Title _____________________________________ Agency/Aliaon ________________________________

Street Address ___________________________________________________________ Apt. # ___________

City: _______________________________________ State: _________ Zip Code: _______________________

Home Phone ( ) ______________________________ Work Phone ( ) ____________________

Email ____________________________________________________________________________________

Please Read and Sign Below:

“I tesfy that I have read the requirements of the CDA Renewal System and for Early Childhood Educaon

Reviewers and have met all requirements, including current knowledge of CDA Renewal Candidate’s skills and

abilies working with young children.”

_____________________________________________________ _____________________________

Early Childhood Educaon Reviewer’s Signature Date

(CONTINUE TO NEXT PAGE)

CDA Renewal Applicaon - PART 3 of 3

(END)

E. Please Read and Acknowledge each statement below.

I have completed Secon C with my credit card informaon and authorized signature.

I have completed Secon C indicang my method of payment and have enclosed a check, money

order or authorizaon leer from paying agency.

Inial beside each statement and sign:

I tesfy that I have read the requirements of the CDA Renewal System and I have met all

requirements.

I understand that individuals convicted of a crime involving child abuse or neglect are not

eligible to apply for or hold the CDA Credenal.

If I am awarded a CDA Renewal Credenal and the right to use the tle Child Development

Associate and its abbreviaon, CDA, in connecon with my name, I agree to meet the

standards of the Child Development Associate to the best of my ability, to conduct myself in a

professional manner, and to abide by the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct.

I tesfy that all answers to all quesons on the applicaon are true to the best of my

knowledge.

Renewal Candidate’s Signature: ______________________________________ Date: ____________________

Information for the

Early Childhood Education (ECE)

Reviewer

Includes:

Wring the Recommendaon ............................................................14

Infant-Toddler ECE Reviewer

Eligibility Requirements �� 15

Educaon and Experience ..................................................................15

Conict of Interest ............................................................................. 16

CDA Competency Standards At-A-Glance ..........................................17

Recommendaon Form �� 19

14 Council for Professional Recognion | www.cdacouncil.org

Informaon for the Early Childhood Educaon

Reviewer

is section of the guide book contains information you will need as an Early Childhood

Education Reviewer, including:

1. A list of the requirements to serve as an Early Childhood Education Reviewer for

CDA Renewal Candidates.

2. e CDA Competency Standards and 13 Functional Areas, to be used as you consider

your recommendation and comments about the Child Development Associate® for

whom you are preparing a recommendation.

3. A Recommendation Form for Candidates who will submit a paper application. (Note:

Do not ll out this form if your Candidate is applying online.) e recommendation

must include verication that the Candidate has at least 80 hours of work experience

with young children ages birth to 36 months, all acquired within the past year.

Wring the Recommendaon

Candidates Applying Online

If the Candidate is applying online, you will need to provide the Candidate with your email

address. e Recommendation Form will be sent to you via email. You will then access the

Candidate’s recommendation request and submit it directly into our online renewal system.

You will receive a conrmation “pop-up” message upon successful submission of your

recommendation.

Feel free to write your recommendation in advance as you will be able to upload it once you

receive the recommendation request.

Candidates Applying using a Paper Application

Please complete the Recommendation Form on page 19 and give it to the Candidate.

ECE REVIEWER

15Informaon for the ECE Reviewer

ECE REVIEWER

Infant-Toddler Early Childhood Educaon Reviewer’s

Eligibility Requirements

e Early Childhood Education Reviewer must meet the following eligibility requirements

and provide verication on the Renewal Candidate’s application form. e reviewer must

meet all of the requirements in one of the three combinations of education and experience,

outlined in Sections I, II, and III below.

Educaon and Experience

Secon I

1. B.A., B.S., or advanced degree in early childhood education/child development or

home economics/child development from an accredited college or university. Must

include 12 college credits covering children ages birth to 5 years.

2. Two years of experience in a child care setting serving children ages birth to 5 years,

including:

• One year of working directly with children in the same age range as the children

in Renewal Candidate’s setting as a caregiver, teacher, child life worker, social

worker, or similar role; and

• One year of responsibility for the professional growth of another adult.

Secon II

1. Associate level (2-year) degree in early childhood education/child development or

home economics/child development from an accredited college or university. Must

include 12 college credits covering children ages birth to 5 years.

2. Four years of experience in a child care setting in a program serving children ages birth

to 5 years, including:

• Two years of experience working directly with children in the same age range as

the children in Renewal Candidate’s setting as a caregiver, teacher, child life worker,

social worker, or similar role; and

• Two years of responsibility for the professional growth of another adult.

16 Council for Professional Recognion | www.cdacouncil.org

Secon III

1. A valid (indicating active status) National CDA Credential.

2. Twelve college credits or 180 hours of training in early childhood education or

child development at an accredited college or university, covering children ages

birth to 5 years.

3. Six years of experience in a child care setting serving children ages birth to 5 years,

including:

• Four years working directly with children in the same age range as the children

in Renewal Candidate’s setting as a caregiver, teacher, child life worker, social

worker, or similar role; and

• Two years of responsibility for the professional growth of another adult.

Conict of Interest

To promote objectivity and credibility, an individual serving as the CDA Renewal

Candidate’s Early Childhood Education Reviewer:

1. Must not be working as a co-teacher with the Renewal Candidate on a daily basis in

the same room or group.

2. Must not be the relative of a child in the Renewal Candidate’s care at any time during

the renewal process.

3. Must not be related by blood or marriage or other legal relationship to the Renewal

Candidate.

Please Note: ECE Reviewers must meet all eligibility requirements.

ECE REVIEWER

17Informaon for the ECE Reviewer

Competency Standard

Functional Area

Denitions

I. To establish and

maintain a safe,

healthy learning

environment

1. Safe

Candidate provides a safe environment and teaches children safe

practices to prevent and reduce injuries.

2. Healthy

Candidate provides an environment that promotes health and prevents

illness, and teaches children about good nutrition and practices that

promote wellness.

3. Learning

Environment

Candidate organizes and uses relationships, the physical space, materials,

daily schedule, and routines to create a secure, interesting, and enjoyable

environment that promotes engagement, play, exploration, and learning of

all children including children with special needs.

II. To advance physical

and intellectual

competence

4. Physical

Candidate uses a variety of developmentally appropriate equipment,

learning experiences and teaching strategies to promote the physical

development (ne motor and gross motor) of all children.

5. Cognitive

Candidate uses a variety of developmentally appropriate learning

experiences and teaching strategies to promote curiosity, reasoning, and

problem solving and to lay the foundation for all later learning. Candidate

implements curriculum that promotes children’s learning of important

mathematics, science, technology, social studies and other content goals.

6. Communication

Candidate uses a variety of developmentally appropriate learning experiences

and teaching strategies to promote children’s language and early literacy

learning, and help them communicate their thoughts and feelings verbally and

non-verbally. Candidate helps dual-language learners make progress in

understanding and speaking both English and their home language.

7. Creative

Candidate uses a variety of developmentally appropriate learning experiences

and teaching strategies for children to explore music, movement, and the

visual arts, and to develop and express their individual creative abilities.

III. To support social

and emotional

development and

to provide positive

guidance

8. Self

Candidate develops a warm, positive, supportive, and responsive

relationship with each child, and helps each child learn about and take

pride in his or her individual and cultural identity.

9. Social

Candidate helps each child function effectively in the group, learn to

express feelings, acquire social skills, and make friends, and promotes

mutual respect among children and adults.

10. Guidance

Candidate provides a supportive environment and uses effective strategies

to promote children’s self-regulation and support acceptable behaviors, and

effectively intervenes for children with persistent challenging behaviors.

IV. To establish positive

and productive

relationships with

families

11. Families

Candidate establishes a positive, responsive, and cooperative relationship

with each child’s family, engages in two-way communication with families,

encourages their involvement in the program, and supports the child’s

relationship with his or her family.

V. To ensure a well-run,

purposeful program

that is responsive to

participant needs

12. Program

Management

Candidate is a manager who uses observation, documentation, and planning

to support children’s development and learning and to ensure effective

operation of the classroom or group. The Candidate is a competent organizer,

planner, record keeper, communicator, and a cooperative co-worker.

VI. To maintain a

commitment to

professionalism

13. Professionalism

Candidate makes decisions based on knowledge of research-based early

childhood practices, promotes high-quality in child care services, and takes

advantage of opportunities to improve knowledge and competence, both for

personal and professional growth and for the benet of children and families.

Infant-Toddler CDA Competency Standards At-A-Glance

ECE REVIEWER

Recommendaon Form - Completed by ECE Reviewer

*Please print/type legibly and be sure to retain a photocopy for your records.

Renewal Candidate’s Name: _____________________________________________________________

Last four digits of the Renewal Candidate’s Social Security Number: _____________________________

___________ I verify that the Candidate has at least 80 hours of work experience with young children

ages birth to 36 months in a center-based Infant-Toddler seng, all acquired within the past year

(Please Inial).

There are two opons to complete the CDA Renewal Recommendaon:

Opon 1: In the space provided below please describe this CDA’s performance with children in

relaon to the six CDA Competency Goals and 13 CDA Funconal Areas, as outlined in the Competency

Standards included in this booklet. Return completed form to Renewal Candidate.

Opon 2: Provide a leer of recommendaon for the Renewal Candidate to aach with their renewal

applicaon. If you choose to type a leer of recommendaon, it must include the date completed, the

name of the Renewal Candidate, the last four digits of the Renewal Candidate’s social security number,

your full name and signature, AND vericaon that the Renewal CDA Candidate has at least 80 hours of

work experience with young children ages birth to 36 months, all acquired within the past year.

____________________________________________________________________________________

ECE Reviewer’s Name: _________________________________________________________________

ECE Reviewer’s Signature: ______________________________________ Date: __________________

Recommendation Form

To Be Completed by the Early Childhood Educaon Reviewer

FAQs

Renewal Procedures Guide 10/15

Frequently Asked Quesons

BEFORE YOU RENEW

1. How long is my CDA Credential valid for? e CDA Credential is valid for a period of

three years.

2. Why did the renewal policy change from ve years to three? After doing a study of

industry standards for credential and certication renewals, the Council concluded three

years is an ecient amount of time to reevaluate the continued professional development

and performance of early educators. e early care and education profession is very

delicate and it is imperative for early educators to stay up to date with the latest theories,

research/studies, appropriate practices and latest trends in the early childhood education

eld. e continuous professional development of CDA Credential holders is a must to

ensure the quality of care and education provided to our nation’s youngest children.

3. Where can I obtain training? e Council for Professional Recognition does not provide

training nor do we specically endorse any training program or CDA curriculum. It

is entirely the Candidate’s responsibility to evaluate and select a training organization,

agency or institution to complete their training. We have provided a National Training

Directory on our website of state-recognized, by their own admission, a list of U.S.

colleges, universities and other post-secondary teacher preparation institutions to assist

Candidates their search.

While formal education hours can be for credit or noncredit, they must be earned

through an agency or organization with expertise in early childhood teacher preparation.

e Council does not accept training provided by individual consultants.

4. What are CEUs? Continuing Education Units (CEUS) are units of education awarded

for participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible

sponsorship, capable direction, and qualied instruction. CEUs are noncredit educational

experiences. While the Council does not require agencies to receive approval from e

International Association for Continuing Education Training (IACET), it is strongly

recommended their training guidelines are followed when issuing CEU credits.

One Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is equal to ten (10) contact hours of study.

5. What are clock hours and how do I earn them? A clock hour is equivalent to 60

minutes (1 hour). You can gain clock hours by participating in a wide variety of training

courses available in the eld, including in-service workshops and association-sponsored

events that oer continuing education units, course credit, or clock hours.

6. What are credit hours? Credit hours are semester long classes at an accredited 2- or

4-year college or university.

22 Council for Professional Recognion | www.cdacouncil.org

7. How can I ensure my training will be accepted by the Council? All training must have

been taken under the auspices of an early childhood training agency that has expertise in

teacher preparation. Ocial documentation of the training must be provided in the form

of a certicate, letter on ocial letterhead or a college transcript.

Training documentation should include the following: Training agency’s name and

address (seal/logo), Candidate’s name, date of the training session(s), content area,

number of hours successfully completed, and an authorized signature.

8. What is the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Reviewer? e ECE Reviewer is an

early childhood professional who meets the proper educational and work experience

qualications provided in the CDA Renewal Procedures Guide. To download the CDA

Renewal Procedures Guide please visit our website www.cdacouncil.org/renewal.

APPLYING FOR CDA RENEWAL

1. What is the process to renew your CDA Credential? Please visit the following link with

a detailed description of the CDA renewal process: www.cdacouncil.org/renewal.

2. I have more than one CDA Credential, can I renew online? Unfortunately, our online

system will only allow you to renew the rst CDA Credential that you were awarded.

Your second CDA Credential will have to be renewed by submitting a paper application.

For example, if you received a center-based Preschool CDA Credential on June 1, 2012

and received a center-based Infant and Toddler CDA Credential on October 1, 2012 you

will only be able to renew your center-based Preschool CDA Credential online.

3. I have more than one CDA Credential, do I have to send in two separate

applications? Yes, because documentation must be specic to the credential type.

Candidates renewing more than one CDA Credential must submit a separate paper

application per credential type. Each application must be accompanied by the renewal

processing fee.

4. I have more than one CDA Credential, can I renew them at the same time? You may

submit a renewal application as early as six months prior to the expiration of your CDA

Credential. If you have two or more CDA Credentials that expire within the same six

month timeframe, yes you can renew both CDA Credentials at the same time.

5. I no longer work in the setting of my CDA Credential, can I renew in a dierent

setting? You can only renew in the setting of the CDA Credential for which you were

awarded, renewing in a dierent setting is not permitted. If you are working in a dierent

setting other than the one for which you received your CDA Credential, and would like

to obtain a second credential in that new setting, you must apply for an initial CDA

Credential.

FAQs

23Renewal Procedures Guide 10/15

6. I would like to renew in a dierent setting than my CDA Credential, what do I need

to do? You can only renew in the setting of the CDA Credential for which you were

awarded, renewing in a dierent setting is not permitted. If you would like to obtain a

second credential in a dierent setting, you must apply for an initial CDA Credential in

the new setting.

7. How do I nd an Early Childhood Education Reviewer? e ECE Reviewer should be

someone you know who meets the eligibility requirements provided in the CDA Renewal

Procedures Guide and has knowledge of your work with children. Your ECE reviewer can

be your Director, Education Specialist or even a teacher that works in another classroom.

8. How can I submit my renewal documentation? If you are applying online you must

upload your renewal documents directly to your application.

If you applying by mail you must mail all of your documents along with your application

and renewal fee.

AFTER YOU APPLY FOR RENEWAL

1. How long does it take to process the renewal application? ere is no set timeframe

for the Council to process CDA Renewal applications, as there are a number of factors

that may delay the process. Generally, once a Candidate has successfully submitted

their renewal application, if the information is accurate and free of errors or missing

information the credentialing decision may take 2-4 weeks. However, this greatly depends

on the volume of applications we have at the time your application is received.

If you are applying online, you will be able to log into the YourCDA online application

system to check your status at any time. Please allow a minimum of 2-4 weeks from the

time your documents are submitted for a credentialing decision.

If you are applying by mail, please allow a minimum of 4-6 weeks from the time your

application is mailed for a credentialing decision.

2. Will I be notied when it is time to renew my CDA Credential? e Council will send

a courtesy email reminder when it is time to renew your CDA credential. However, this

email is a courtesy and is not guaranteed, nor should it be the sole reminder for renewing

your CDA Credential. To help ensure you do not miss these courtesy reminders, please

make sure the Council always has your current email on le.

3. Can I get a refund on the renewal assessment fee? e renewal fee is a processing fee.

Once you have submitted payment, the fee cannot be refunded.

FAQs

24 Council for Professional Recognion | www.cdacouncil.org

FAQs

APPENDIX

Includes:

A. Training Vericaon Form - Completed by Center/Program Director

or other Authorized Sta ................................................................... 27

B. Training Agency Leer Template .................................................... 29

C. Sample College Transcript .............................................................. 31

Use this form only: If the CDA Renewal Candidate has cercates as proof of training or received training

from mulple sources. *Please print/type legibly and be sure to retain a photocopy for your records.

Renewal Candidate’s Name: ____________________________________________________________

Renewal Candidate’s Credenal Type: _____________________________________________________

Candidate’s Current Posion: ____________________________________________________________

I, _________________________________________________ (Authorized Sta), verify that I have

reviewed the above named Renewal Candidate’s training record and have veried all of the following:

Training was in the form of: 3 college credits, 4.5 CEUS, or 45 clock hours

Training documentaon is either in the form of a college transcript, ocial cercates, or a leer

on leerhead from the training agency. All training documentaon contained the training agency

name, agency ocial seal/logo, Candidate Name, Training Topic, credits/hours/CEUS awarded,

Date of Training, and Ocial Signature.

Training was taken aer the issue date on the Candidate’s most current credenal (not to exceed

ve years).

Training was in Early Childhood Educaon and/or Child Development and was specic to the age

range of the Candidate’s original credenal endorsement.

I verify that I am the authorized person idened or named in this form and I aest to the accuracy of

the above Statements. I understand that the Council will conduct random audits and may contact me

regarding the contents of this form.

Director’s Signature ____________________________________________ Date ___________________

Title _______________________________________________________________________________

The Council reserves the right to request training documentaon be submied directly to the Council.

A - Training Vericaon Form

CDA Renewal Candidate Training Verication Form

To Be Completed by the Center/Program Director or other Authorized Sta

B - Training Agency Leer Template

OFFICIAL LETTERHEAD

Includes training agency seal/logo

Address

Phone number

Date:

To Whom It May Concern:

This is to verify that (Insert Renewal Candidate’s First and Last Name) has

received (Insert number of hours or CEUs) of early childhood training through our

agency. The training was specic to (Insert age group). Training was taken from

(Insert date range).

Sincerely,

(Must include ofcial signature)

John Doe

Instructor

APPENDIX

C - Sample College Transcript

APPENDIX

2460 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

(800) 424- 4310 | www.cdacouncil.org