Are you interested in helping infants and toddlers develop into productive, happy, and confident people? Earning a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential can help to make your dreams come true. Earning a CDA credential does not require the achievement of earning a Bachelor's degree in college. But there are some requirements you should know about. Here are all the basics that you should understand about earning a CDA for infants and toddlers:

Benefits of Earning the CDA Credential

You don't have to earn a CDA to work with infants and toddlers in a learning or childcare environment. However, there are many benefits of doing so. Foremost, earning such a credential may be a requirement of some potential employers. Not earning a CDA can cost you the opportunity to apply for some lucrative job positions in the child development industry. Other benefits of working to get a CDA credential include:

• A CDA can help set you apart from competition and make it easier to advance your career.
• Earning a CDA will help reinforce your commitment to the service of infants and toddlers.
• Your CDA will give the parents of kids you're working with some extra peace of mind.

Earning a CDA credential will also give you extra confidence that should come in handy when you make career advances or embark on a new job within your industry altogether.

How to Get Your CDA Credential

There are some requirements you will have to meet before you will be able to apply for your CDA credential. And you will have to meet some requirements within a certain timeframe after applying for the credential. Here are the basics:

• Before applying, you'll need to be in possession of a high school diploma or equivalent.
• You'll also have to complete 120 hours of early childhood education before applying for the credential.
• You need to prepare a CDA portfolio within six months after applying for your credential.
• You must also have a total of 480 hours of work experience within three years after applying for a CDA credential.

To actually earn a CDA, you'll need to complete a CDA verification visit and pass a CDA examination. You'll also have to find a CDA Professional Development Specialist to work with when you apply for a CDA credential.

These are just basic requirements. You should consult the Council for Professional Recognition to get specific details about credentialling requirements and to start your journey toward earning your own CDA credential. Looking for a service to get started with? Visit this site Atlas Training, Inc.