CDA Training
The Child Development Associate (CDA) is the simplest, quickest, and most inexpensive way to further your career in early childhood education. ChildSavers‘ CDA training is a virtual, flexible, study program that takes place over 15 months and is taught by Koni Garofalo.
Koni has been with ChildSavers since 2019, bringing extensive knowledge teaching adults in early childhood education, as well as 5 years of experience in the classroom with children ages six weeks to 12 years.
What to Expect: ChildSavers' CDA Training
ChildSavers offers CDA classes online. Our training is 15-month course leading up to your test and observation. We’ll help you on your journey to earning your CDA, which will include:
- A monthly class for 15 months. Don’t worry, multiple evening classes are offered per month!
- 15 chapters of homework (1 per month), feedback about your assignments, and a portfolio notebook that we’ll help you complete.
- Upon completion of ChildSavers’ CDA training program, you will receive a certificate of completion for 120 hours of study, needed to apply for credentialing through the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C.
This coursework will prepare you for your observation, completed by an appointed Professional Development Specialist, followed by your CDA exam administered by Pearson VUE Testing Center. We can help you coordinate this too.
To enroll or for more information contact Koni Garofalo:
- Phone: (804) 387-4148
- Email: CDA@childsavers.org
How Much Does CDA Training Cost?
There are 13 classes in ChildSavers CDA Training Course. Each class costs $25. Books for this course cost $80.
We also offer an additional, quarterly Portfolio class for $40. This workshop will provide step by step instructions and support in one person session or over two online sessions. The Professional Portfolio is a requirement in completing your CDA. Not enrolled in our CDA program but still need help with your portfolio? All caregivers of children 0-5 are welcome to attend!
What You'll Learn in CDA Training
Our CDA training course is for child care providers who want to learn about the development of young children and be able to demonstrate the teacher skills associated with providing quality child care. If you’re not ready to earn your CDA and need professional development hours, you’re welcome to join individual classes to earn hours.
Topics of study include:
- Safety
- Health
- Learning Environment
- Discipline
- Family Involvement
- Professionalism
- And more!
CDA candidates are also provided with guidance on developing their own professional resource file, distributing parent questionnaires, the observation, and the CDA exam.
The Benefits of Earning Your CDA
The Child Development Associate (CDA) is a quick and inexpensive way to further your career in early childhood education and child care. Instead of spending two years earning an associates degree, you can speed up the process by earning your CDA in 13-15 months!
The benefits of earning your CDA include:
- Your CDA is valid in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.
- Once you earn your CDA, you can become a lead teacher at your center and/or become a director of a child care center in Virginia without a college degree.
Education empowers teachers to be more invested in their positions, which in turn better prepares children for kindergarten
Assists teachers in moving up the career ladder to a higher paying position
How Do I Get Started?
To start, we ask that you join us for a free orientation. Then, Cindy will set you up for the course!
To participate, you must:
- Be at least 16 years of age AND/OR hold a high school diploma/G.E.D. and participate in an early child care class
- Be currently employed or volunteering in a child care center or family day home
- Attend a ChildSavers CDA orientation (offered December, March, May, August)
- Attend your designated monthly CDA class and complete required assignments (first classes start January, April, June, September)