CDA Certification Training Bundles
Discounted Bundles of Online Courses
Each discounted bundle of online courses provides the 120 hours of early childhood education training aligned with the eight Child Development Associate® (CDA) subject areas that are required before you apply to become a CDA candidate.
Also included in each CDA Certification Training Bundle:
- CDA Credentialing Process online course, which gives more details about the credentialing process, equipping you to complete each step on your way to earning your CDA.
- Creating Your CDA Portfolio online course, which describes each required component of the Professional Portfolio, with tips to help you develop a portfolio that effectively represents your professional knowledge and skills.
Which CDA Certification Training Bundle of courses is right for me?
You should choose the training bundle that corresponds to the CDA credential and the setting you plan to apply for. The CDA credential you choose will depend on the type of setting where you work with young children. Read the descriptions below to determine which setting best matches your work, then click the link to view pricing and course information.
Preschool CDA
A Center-Based Preschool setting, for CDA purposes, is a state-licensed center-based child development facility where you work with a group of at least eight children aged 3 to 5 years.
Infant / Toddler CDA
A Center-Based Infant/Toddler setting, for CDA purposes, is a state-licensed center-based child development facility where you work with a group of at least three children under age 3.
Family Child Care CDA
A Family Child Care setting, for CDA purposes, is a state-compliant home-based setting where you work with at least two children aged 5 or younger who are not related to you by blood or marriage. In Texas, that means Listed Family Homes, Registered Child-Care Homes, and Licensed Child-Care Homes.
Additional Frequently Asked Questions
Click a linked question below to view the answer.
Early educators working with children from birth through age 5 can earn a Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential. This credential highlights their knowledge and skills in early childhood. Candidates are evaluated through an observation, a formal examination, and a professional portfolio containing resources and competency statements created by the candidate.
Completing the training component of the CDA credentialing process takes you beyond regulatory requirements for continuing education, giving you a comprehensive foundation of professional knowledge and skills. Earning a CDA credential demonstrates your commitment to staying abreast of the changing body of knowledge about what works in educating young children and serves as a marker to highlight your dedication to continuous growth and professionalism. It can also serve as a stepping stone to higher education – with some 2- and 4-year degree programs granting course credit for holding a current CDA credential. In some early learning programs, a CDA is a requirement for job candidates.
Before applying for a CDA credential, you must complete several requirements:
- Have a high school diploma or be a high school junior or senior in an early education/child development Career and Technical Program
- Complete 120 hours of professional education covering the eight CDA Subject Areas
- Obtain 480 hours of experience working with young children in the type of setting for which you want to earn your credential within 3 years of applying
- Prepare a CDA Professional Portfolio according to the requirements outlined in the CDA Competency Standards book within 6 months of applying
After applying and being approved as a CDA Candidate, you will need to demonstrate your professional competency via a written test completed at a testing center and upload your Professional Portfolio by scanning the documents and photos. A candidate may receive their credential based on their performance on the written exam. In some cases, a candidate may also receive a site visit from a Professional Development Specialist to observe them working with young children.
Each CDA Training Bundle provides the 120-hours of professional education, aligned with the eight CDA Subject Areas, required before you apply to become a CDA Candidate. Each bundle also includes a CDA Credentialing Process course, which gives more details about the credentialing process, equipping you to complete each step on your way to earning your CDA. Each bundle also includes a Creating Your CDA Portfolio course, which describes each required component of the Professional Portfolio, with tips to help you develop a portfolio that effectively represents your professional knowledge and skills.
These courses are included in the Preschool CDA Certification Training bundle:
- ADD and AD/HD—Child Care Strategies for Managing Behavior and Classroom
- Advocacy
- Age-Appropriate Nutrition, Feeding, and Support for Breastfeeding
- Age-Appropriate Physical Activity for Children
- An Introduction to Early Childhood Education for Preschool and School-Age Children with Disabilities
Assessing Children - Autism Spectrum Disorders—Child Care Strategies for Managing Behavior and Classroom
- CDA Credentialing Process
- Child Development Theories
- Child Growth and Development from Infancy to School-Age
- Child Maltreatment: A Guide for Child Care Professionals
- Creating Your CDA Portfolio
- Creativity
- Defining the Importance of Families
- Emergency Planning for Child Care Providers
- Establishing Positive Relationships with Families
- Ethics, Values, and Vision
- Family Engagement
- Food Safety on Special Occasions
- Fostering Children’s Self-Esteem
- Fostering Positive Social Interactions for Preschool and School-Age Children with and without Disabilities
- Helping Children Resolve Peer Conflict
- Infection Control in Child Care Settings
- Injury Prevention and Child Safety in Child Care Settings
- Integrating Learning Across the Curriculum
- Intentionality, Reflection, and Professional Development
- Managing Common Childhood Illnesses in Child Care
- Math for Preschool
- Medication Administration in Child Care: Ensuring Children’s Safety
- Modifying Activities for Preschool and School-Age Children with Disabilities
- Nature and Social Studies for Preschool
- Outdoor Play & Learning: A Texas Healthy Building Blocks Training
- Partnering with Families
- Partnering with Families of Preschool and School-Age Children with and without Disabilities
- Pediatric First Aid: Protecting the Well-Being of the Children in Your Care
- Physical Activity & Screen Time: A Texas Healthy Building Blocks Training
- Poison Prevention and Safety in Child Care Programs
- Positive Guidance and Discipline
- Preschool Learning Environments
- Professionalism and Collaboration
- Promoting Autonomy for Preschool and School-Age Children with Disabilities
- Promoting Oral Health: A Texas Healthy Building Blocks Training
- Purposeful Observation
- Reflecting on My Social Emotional Practice
- Science and Technology for Preschool
- Standards, Policies, and Guidelines
- Strategies for Promoting Social-Emotional Learning and Growth in Preschoolers
- Supporting Children’s Social and Emotional Development
- Supporting Language Skills Including Dual-Language Learners (DLL)
- Supporting Literacy Skills
- Supporting Preschool and School-Age Children with Challenging Behavior
- Supporting Preschool and School-Age Children with Sensory Integration
- Teaching Children Health and Safety Habits
- Teaching with Intentionality
- The Value of Play for Preschool Children
These courses are included in the Infant / Toddler CDA Certification Training bundle:
- ADD and AD/HD—Child Care Strategies for Managing Behavior and Classroom
- Advocacy
- Age-Appropriate Nutrition, Feeding, and Support for Breastfeeding
- Age-Appropriate Physical Activity for Children
- An Introduction to Early Childhood Education for Preschool and School-Age Children with Disabilities
- Assessing Children
- Autism Spectrum Disorders—Child Care Strategies for Managing Behavior and Classroom
- CDA Credentialing Process
- Child Development Theories
- Child Growth and Development from Infancy to School-Age
- Child Maltreatment: A Guide for Child Care Professionals
- Creating Your CDA Portfolio
- Creativity
- Defining the Importance of Families
- Emergency Planning for Child Care Providers
- Establishing Positive Relationships with Families
- Ethics, Values, and Vision
- Family Engagement
- Food Safety on Special Occasions
- Fostering Children’s Self-Esteem
- Fostering Positive Social Interactions for Preschool and School-Age Children with and without Disabilities
- Helping Children Resolve Peer Conflict
- Infection Control in Child Care Settings
- Injury Prevention and Child Safety in Child Care Settings
- Integrating Learning Across the Curriculum
- Intentionality, Reflection, and Professional Development
- Managing Common Childhood Illnesses in Child Care
- Math for Preschool
- Medication Administration in Child Care: Ensuring Children’s Safety
- Modifying Activities for Preschool and School-Age Children with Disabilities
- Nature and Social Studies for Preschool
- Outdoor Play & Learning: A Texas Healthy Building Blocks Training
- Partnering with Families
- Partnering with Families of Preschool and School-Age Children with and without Disabilities
- Pediatric First Aid: Protecting the Well-Being of the Children in Your Care
- Physical Activity & Screen Time: A Texas Healthy Building Blocks Training
- Poison Prevention and Safety in Child Care Programs
- Positive Guidance and Discipline
- Preschool Learning Environments
- Professionalism and Collaboration
- Promoting Autonomy for Preschool and School-Age Children with Disabilities
- Promoting Oral Health: A Texas Healthy Building Blocks Training
- Purposeful Observation
- Reflecting on My Social Emotional Practice
- Science and Technology for Preschool
- Standards, Policies, and Guidelines
- Strategies for Promoting Social-Emotional Learning and Growth in Preschoolers
- Supporting Children’s Social and Emotional Development
- Supporting Language Skills Including Dual-Language Learners (DLL)
- Supporting Literacy Skills
- Supporting Preschool and School-Age Children with Challenging Behavior
- Supporting Preschool and School-Age Children with Sensory Integration
- Teaching Children Health and Safety Habits
- Teaching with Intentionality
- The Value of Play for Preschool Children
These courses are included in the Family Child Care CDA Certification Training bundle:
- ADD and AD/HD—Child Care Strategies for Managing Behavior and Classroom
- Advocacy
- Age-Appropriate Nutrition, Feeding, and Support for Breastfeeding
- Age-Appropriate Physical Activity for Children
- An Introduction to Early Childhood Education for Preschool and School-Age Children with Disabilities
- Assessing Children
- Autism Spectrum Disorders—Child Care Strategies for Managing Behavior and Classroom
- CDA Credentialing Process
- Child Development Theories
- Child Growth and Development from Infancy to School-Age
- Child Maltreatment: A Guide for Child Care Professionals
- Creating Your CDA Portfolio
- Creativity
- Defining the Importance of Families
- Developing Appropriate Learning Environment for Infants and Toddlers
- Emergency Planning for Child Care Providers
- Establishing Positive Relationships with Families
- Ethics, Values, and Vision
- Family Engagement
- Fostering Children’s Self-Esteem
- Fostering Positive Social Interactions for Preschool and School-Age Children with and without Disabilities
- Helping Children Resolve Peer Conflict
- Infection Control in Child Care Settings
- Injury Prevention and Child Safety in Child Care Settings
- Integrating Learning Across the Curriculum
- Intentionality, Reflection, and Professional Development
- Introduction to Infant and Toddler Social Emotional Development
- Managing Common Childhood Illnesses in Child Care
- Math for Preschool
- Medication Administration in Child Care: Ensuring Children’s Safety
- Modifying Activities for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities
- Outdoor and Nature Play and Cognitive Development
- Outdoor and Nature Play and Physical Development
- Outdoor and Nature Play and Social Emotional Development
- Partnering with Families
- Partnering with Families of Preschool and School-Age Children with and without Disabilities
- Pediatric First Aid: Protecting the Well-Being of the Children in Your Care
- Poison Prevention and Safety in Child Care Programs
- Positive Guidance and Discipline
- Preschool Learning Environments
- Professionalism and Collaboration
- Purposeful Observation
- Reflecting on My Social Emotional Practice
- Science and Technology for Preschool
- Standards, Policies, and Guidelines
- Supporting Children’s Social and Emotional Development
- Supporting Language Skills Including Dual-Language Learners (DLL)
- Supporting Literacy Skills
- Supporting Preschool and School-Age Children with Challenging Behavior
- Supporting Preschool and School-Age Children with Sensory Integration
- Teaching Children Health and Safety Habits
- Teaching with Intentionality
- The Value of Play for Preschool Children
For more information, see the Council for Professional Development Frequently Asked Questions page.