Child Development Associate Microcredential

The CDA microcredential will prepare individuals currently working in the field of early childhood education who are looking to earn college credits while simultaneously being supported through the process of preparing to earn their CDA (Child Development Associate) Certificate for Professional Recognition. 

ECH 131, in conjunction with ECH 132, will result in the issuing of a statement of applied academic credit by DCC and will prepare the student for the CDA assessment process issued by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition (part of NAEYC). 

ECH 131 and 132 are based on the guidelines for NAEYC’s CDA credentialing program and are intended to promote the development of appropriate skills and knowledge needed by early childhood caregivers currently employed in the field. These two courses will prepare the student for the CDA assessment process given by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition (part of NAEYC). The lecture portion of the courses will include the study of: (ECH 131) introduction to Early Childhood, how children learn and grow, safe and healthy environments, social emotional development, and infant/toddler development and curriculum, as well as (ECH 132) physical and intellectual growth, relationships with families, math, science, behavior, guidance, program management and professionalism, literacy, curriculum, play and creativity, and planning developmentally appropriate activities. Additionally, there will be a practicum component at the student’s current site of employment. Assignments and observation by field supervisors will support classroom topics. (Students must be currently employed in the field of early education in order to earn the 480 required fieldwork hours and in order to complete the practicum component of the courses). Assignments and observation by field supervisors will support classroom topics. 

Students with a grade of C or better in both ECH 131 and ECH 132 will receive a Statement of Applied Academic Credit for ECH 111, ECH 102, ECH 108, ECH 205 and one ECH elective, without having to leave their employment and by using their current work site as a practicum experience. 

Students who successfully complete this microcredential will be able to:

• Design a learning experience that offers opportunities for hands-on exploration and discovery. 
• Initiate developmentally appropriate conversations with young children. 
• Describe how teachers establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment.
• Identify the interest areas in a preschool classroom and list appropriate materials for each of the areas. 
• Demonstrate positive guidance techniques when setting limits with children. 
• Demonstrate oral communication skills in a clear and organized manner using appropriate verbal and nonverbal communication techniques with regard to subject, purpose and audience. 

This microcredential can be stacked into:

• Early Childhood A.A.S.

Because a microcredential is comprised of short course sequences, requirements for a microcredential are to be completed at DCC. Any exception to this would require departmental approval in order to transfer in credits.