Offered by Meliora Leaders Academy
Investment: $499
The National Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential Course is a comprehensive professional development program designed to prepare early childhood educators to earn the nationally recognized Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. The CDA is awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition and is one of the most respected credentials in the early childhood education profession. (CDA Council)
Meliora Leaders Academy provides participants with the required training, guidance, and support needed to successfully navigate the CDA credentialing process. The course is designed for teachers, assistant teachers, family child care providers, and early childhood professionals seeking to strengthen their knowledge, advance their careers, and demonstrate professional competency in working with young children.
Program Includes
- 120 Hours of CDA Professional Education Training
- Self-paced online learning through the Moodle platform
- Guidance for developing your CDA Professional Portfolio
- Support with CDA Competency Standards and Functional Areas
- Preparation for the CDA Verification Visit
- CDA Exam preparation resources
- Access to experienced early childhood trainers and mentors
- Certificate of Completion for training hours
Learning Topics
Participants will explore:
- Planning a safe and healthy learning environment
- Advancing children’s physical and intellectual development
- Supporting social and emotional development
- Building positive relationships with families
- Program management and professionalism
- Observation and assessment practices
- Curriculum planning and implementation
- Child guidance and behavior support
- Professional ethics and reflective practice
- Developmentally appropriate practices
Who Should Enroll?
This course is ideal for:
- Child care teachers
- Assistant teachers
- Family child care providers
- Head Start and Early Head Start staff
- Preschool educators
- Individuals entering the early childhood profession
- Professionals seeking a nationally recognized credential
CDA Credential Requirements
The CDA credentialing process typically includes:
- Completion of 120 hours of formal early childhood education training
- Development of a Professional Portfolio
- Documentation of professional work experience with young children
- Successful completion of a Verification Visit
- Successful completion of the CDA Exam (CDA Council)
Tuition
National CDA Credential Course: $499
Tuition includes access to all online training modules, course materials, learning activities, portfolio guidance, and instructional support through the Meliora Leaders Academy learning platform.
Please Note: The $499 course fee covers CDA training provided by Meliora Leaders Academy. Fees associated with the CDA application, assessment process, Verification Visit, and credential issuance through the Council for Professional Recognition are separate and paid directly to the Council. (CDA Council)
Why Choose Meliora Leaders Academy?
At Meliora Leaders Academy, we are committed to developing confident, competent, and highly effective early childhood professionals. Our CDA program combines practical knowledge, professional mentoring, and flexible online learning to help participants successfully achieve their credentialing goals while strengthening their ability to support children and families.
Enroll today and take the next step toward advancing your career in early childhood education.