The Early Childhood CDA Credential Training is designed to provide current early childhood teachers with an understanding of developmentally appropriate practices in early childhood especially as it applies to a Lutheran ministry context. The series provides a solid foundation for early childhood ministry and prepares teachers for earning the preschool CDA Credential.
Are You Interested in Adding an Early Childhood Credential to Your Résumé?
We have worked with Child Development Associate (CDA) national credentialing program to develop these courses so that teachers completing all three courses will be prepared to apply for the center-based preschool CDA credential.
The CDA credential is awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition. To receive the credential:
- Complete MLC’s three Early Childhood CDA Prep Series courses*
- Apply to the Council
- Pay their application fee
- Successfully complete the CDA requirements
- Enroll in MLC’s CDA Prep Series
When you enroll in MLC’s Early Childhood CDA Credential Training, MLC will
- Provide required CDA training necessary for you to complete your portfolio and pass the exam (CLICK HERE for Tuition Rates)
- Send you FREE of CHARGE Essentials for Working with Young Children, the textbook necessary to take the courses ( a $49 value)
- Send you FREE of CHARGE CDA Competency Standards, the textbook necessary to complete your CDA Credential (a $25 value)
- Provide you with tools to track your progress toward completing all the necessary courses
- Provide the help needed to get you started in the application process
Click on the boxes below for more information.
Learn More About the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™
CDA FAQs
Prepare to Earn Your Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™
A. Anytime before you apply for the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™
- Earn a high school diploma
- Complete the MLC early childhood CDA Prep courses. A student must obtain a course grade of C or higher for the course to count toward requirements of the certificate program. This means that any course with a grade of C- or lower will not help fulfill the requirements needed toward completing the program. A student may elect to retake a course if a grade of C- or lower was earned.
FOR PRESCHOOL TEACHERS
EDU9105 Early Childhood Basics I 1 Credit
Meets requirements for the Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) and meets Competency Standard I and VI. Provides orientation to CDA requirements and addresses functional areas related to safety, health, the learning environment, and a commitment to professionalism.
EDU9106 Early Childhood Basics II 1 Credit
Enables participants to advance their students’ physical and intellectual competence. Meets CDA Competency Standards II and V, which include physical and cognitive development, communication, creativity, and observation and assessment.
EDU9107 Early Childhood Basics III 1 Credit
Enables participants to support their students’ social and emotional development and to provide positive guidance, to establish positive and productive relationships with families, and to ensure a well-run, purposeful program that is responsive to student needs. Meets CDA Competency Standards III, IV, and V.FOR INFANT-TODDLERS TEACHERS
EDU9115 Early Childhood Basics I 1 credit
Meets requirements for the Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) and meets Competency Standards I and VI. Provides orientation to CDA requirements and addresses functional areas related to safety, health, the learning environment, and a commitment to professionalism. (Infant-Toddler Level)EDU9116 Early Childhood Basics II 1 credit
Enables participants to advance their students’ physical and intellectual competence. Meets CDA Competency Standards II and V, which include physical and cognitive development, communication, creativity, and observation and assessment. (Infant-Toddler Level)EDU9117 Early Childhood Basics III 1 credit
Enables participants to support their students’ social and emotional development and to provide positive guidance, to establish positive and productive relationships with families, and to ensure a well-run, purposeful program that is responsive to student needs. Meets CDA Competency Standards III, IV, and V. (Infant-Toddler Level)
B. Within 3 years of submitting application for Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™
Obtain 480 hours of professional work experience in a center-based setting with children ages 3-5 years old or infant-toddler, depending on the credential you are seeking.
C. Within 6 months of submitting application for Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™
- Prepare your professional portfolio following the detailed instructions in your Competency Standards Handbook given to you by MLC. You can work on this as you complete each course.
- Find a CDA Professional Development (PD) Specialist.
Apply for the CDA Credential
A. CLICK HERE to learn more about scholarships in your state to help you pay for the application fee.
B. CLICK HERE to apply online for the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™.
C. Application fee must accompany your application.
D. Wait for your Ready to Schedule notification from the Council.
Demonstrate You Are Ready to Obtain the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™
Once you received your Ready to Schedule notification
- Schedule your CDA Verification visit
- Schedule and take your CDA Exam
MLC would like to help you with the process of getting your Childhood Development Associate (CDA) Credential™.
All you need to do is
