To be eligible for the CDA certification:

• You must have a minimum of a high school diploma or GED, or be a junior or senior in a high school career and technical program, and
• Complete 120 hours of formal early childhood technical education (this course meets CDA requirements)
• Complete a CDA professional portfolio (this course assists with portfolio preparation)
• Complete a CDA verification site visit where a PD Specialist observes you working with children
• Please Note: Within three years of submitting your application, you must also have 480 hours (about three weeks) of professional work experience at a center-based program with experience in all three age groups.
• For more information on the CDA requirements, please visit the CDA Council website.
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• Evaluate and make recommendations for modifications of regulations regarding children's health, safety, and learning environments
• Identify typical stages of cognitive, linguistic, physical, social, and emotional development
• Develop a list of developmentally appropriate activities and materials that encourage physical, linguistic, cognitive, creative, social, and emotional development in children from birth to age five
• Implement appropriate guidance techniques for specific situations relating to children's behaviors
• Demonstrate skills in practical application of developmental principles and theories, observation techniques, and recognition of growth and development patterns
• Apply the competency statements into practice in an early childhood setting
• Prepare to become a certified child development associate professional

• Getting Started
• How to Take This Course
• Why Earn a Child Development Certification?
• The Portfolio Introduction
• Principles of Child Development and Learning
• Planning a Safe and Healthy Learning Environment
• Advancing Children's Physical and Intellectual Development
• Supporting Children's Social and Emotional Development
• Building Productive Relationships with Families
• Managing an Effective Program
• Observing and Recording Children's Behavior
• Achieving High-Quality Care
• Final Portfolio Review
• CDA Prep and Taking Your Exam
• Employability
• Final Exam
• Resources

Kerri Welch has over 20 years of extensive experience in the field of early childhood education. More specifically, with the CDA credential, she previously served as an instructor and field supervisor at Dutchess Community College in New York and as a PD Specialist for the CDA Council. She is currently teaching child development classes at Houston Community College.

Kerri has successfully trained a diverse population of students by helping them advance in their careers in early childhood development through implementing a child-centered, developmentally appropriate curriculum that uses positive guidance techniques. She has a Master of Science in early childhood education with a focus on students with disabilities, a bachelor's degree in elementary education, and an associate degree in early childhood education.

Kerri is on the advisory board of Informed Green Solutions, a national non-profit that has pioneered environmental education on green cleaning products for early childhood programs. She is extremely passionate about children's health, nutrition, and safety, especially regarding children with special needs.