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 can be taken as a six month accelerated or 14 month traditional course, 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 five years of experience in the classroom with children ages six weeks to 12 years.
What to Expect: ChildSavers' CDA Training
ChildSavers offers CDA classes both in person and online. Our traditional training is a 14 month course leading up to your test and observation. An accelerated course of study is also available.
We’ll help you on your journey to earning your CDA, which will include:
- Weekly or monthly classes, depending on the course of study
- 13 chapters of homework (one 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) 773-8382
- 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 approximnately $83.
We also offer an additional, quarterly Portfolio class at an additional charge. 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 birth to five 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 associate’s degree, you can speed up the process by earning your CDA in 14 months or less!
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, Koni will set you up for the course!
To participate, you must:
- Be at least 16 years of age and hold a high school diploma or G.E.D.
- Be currently employed or volunteering in a child care center or family day home
- Attend a ChildSavers’ CDA orientation (offered several times throughout the year)
- Attend your designated monthly CDA class and complete required assignments (new cohorts start throughout the year)