The Council for Professional Recognition

The Council for Professional Recognition promotes improved performance and recognition of professionals in the early childhood education of children aged birth to 5 years old. We work to ensure that all professional early childhood educators and caregivers meet the developmental, emotional, and educational needs of our nation’s youngest children.The Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credentialis designed to assess and credential early childhood education professionals.The Council recognizes and credentials professionals who work in all types of early care and education programs - Head Start, pre-K, infant-toddler, family child care, and home visitor programs.The Council sets policies and procedures for assessment and credentialing, publishes the Competency Standards and other materials used for CDA credentialing, and administers the assessment.Interested in early childhood education? Get your CDA. Learn more at cdacouncil.org.