The Child Development Associate (CDA) Assessment Fee Scholarship
For child care center staff, Washington Scholarships pays:
- 75% of the cost of the CDA Assessment Fee ($243.75)
For family child care providers and assistants, Washington Scholarships pays:
- 90% of the cost of the CDA Asssessment Fee ($292.50)
We will award a $150 bonus once a copy of the CDA Credential is received from the scholar.
Eligibility Requirements:
Individuals earning less than $14.45 per hour while working in a licensed child care center or a registered family child care home for at least 20 hours per week are encouraged to apply.
Candidates for the CDA must meet the following criteria: be 18 years or older, have a high school diploma or equivalent, have 480 hours of experience working with young children within the past five years and have 120 hours of formal child care education and training within the past five years in the CDA training content areas.
Official Deadlines:
In order to have your complete CDA packet submitted by WA Scholarships to the Council for Professional Recognition, here are the quarterly deadlines:
Dec 1
March 1
June 1
Sept 1
Scholarship Applications:
What kind of commitment is required of recipients of the CDA Assessment Scholarship?
Scholarship recipients are asked to remain with their sponsoring programs for an additional 6 months after the CDA Credential has been received.
What kind of commitment is required of the center?
The center is required to pay 15% of the assessment fee. Centers will allow teachers to be formally observed in the classroom by a representative from the Council.
Information About the CDA Credential
What is a CDA Credential?
The CDA Credential is a nationally recognized credential awarded to individuals who have demonstrated competency through both experience and education in working with young children ages 0-5. The CDA Credential is awarded to infant/toddler child care teachers, preschool teachers or family child care providers.
Who awards the CDA Credential?
The Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition (The Council) administers the CDA credentialing program and awards the CDA Credential.
Does the CDA Credential have to be renewed?
Yes. The CDA Credential is valid for 3 years from the date of award. At the end of that period, a CDA recipient may apply for renewal. When the renewal is granted, the Credential becomes valid for an additional 5 years.
How do I earn the CDA Credential?
In order to receive the CDA Credential, an individual must meet the eligibility requirements and complete or facilitate the completion of the following: a professional resource file, parent opinion questionnaires, a formal observation, an oral interview and a written assessment.
What kind of support does Washington Scholarships provide?
Washington Scholarships provides counseling and administrative support. We review application materials and submit them to the Council.
For more information e-mail scholarships@childcarenet.org, or call us toll free at 1-866-308-3224.
Resources
The Council for Professional Recognition is a program that focuses on the skills of early care and education professionals. It is designed to provide performance-based training, assessment, and credentialing of child care staff, home visitors, and family child care providers.
