Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA)
Preparation Specialized Diploma
Prepartion for the national recognized credential for early childhood educators is available at NCC as a web-based distance learning course or classroom based learning in the Lehigh Valley and Monroe County.
A Child Development Associate is recognized as having the skills to meet the specific needs of children and work with parents and other adults to nurture children's physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth in a child development framework. A CDA candidate completes 120 hours of course work plus an assessment and credentialing process that is submitted to the Council for Professional Recognition. For more information visit the Council for Professional Recognition web page.
The Pennsylvania Keystone Stars performance standards for staff qualifications includes the CDA.
The NCC CDA preparation program specialized diploma provides the 120 hours of course work plus the support and information required for the CDA assessment.
In addition, when you satisfactorily complete the CDA Preparation Specialized Diploma you will receive 9 credits toward the ECE AAS Degree or Certificate at NCC.
For which NCC courses will I receive credit?
You will receive credit for …
How long does it take to complete the CDA Preparation Specialized Diploma
The course work lasts one year and is divided into three phases with a weeks vacation between phases and two weeks vacation at the end of December.
How Will I Learn? What Will I do?
Each course is divided into 15 weeks with each week being a class. Each class provides you with content information. You can either read the content on the computer and/or you can print it out to read at a later time. After you read the information, you will have assignments that you will complete with children in you classroom. Next you will use the discussion forum to tell the other students in your class and the instructor how your children responded to you wrok with them. This sharing of experiences with other students will support your work, stimulate new thinking, and spark excitement with your children! You will also document your work for entry into your CDA assessment portfolio.
What is the Advantage to Web-based Learning?
Web-based learning allows you to do the course on your own time. It is available 24 hours every day, and you can log on and off at your convenience. The assignments will be completed in your classrooms while you are teaching.
Is there funding available for tuition?
There are two funding sources for tuition:
How much are the NCC tuition and CDA assessment fees?
The tuition is at the affordable cost of a $100 per credit. The tuition for the entire CDA is $900 paid in $300 increments prior to the start of each course. CDA assessment fees are in addition to the tuition and are paid directly to the Council for Professional recognition. Text books are available through the NCC Bookstore.
How do I get started?
If you are new to NCC you must first complete an NCC application. Click here for an on-line application.
Will this course be available in the future?
The CDA starts at the beginning of each Fall, Spring, and Summent 1 session. Next start dates will be August 28 and October 2, 2006.
