I don't currently work in child care, can I still earn a CDA Credential? - post

Yes, it is possible to earn a CDA Credential even if you don’t currently work in child care, but there are specific steps and requirements you’ll need to meet. The CDA Credential requires hands-on experience with children, so you’ll need to find ways to fulfill those requirements. 

Paid or volunteer hours are accepted as work experience. Babysitting, Before and After School Programs, Sunday school programs, and Drop-in Programs are not eligible settings where a Candidate can prove competence around the Competency Standards, and experience hours in these settings should not be counted towards the 480 hours of experience.

Here’s how you can approach it:

Gain Volunteer Experience

If you’re not employed in child care, consider volunteering in an #early-childhood education setting. Examples include:

• Preschools or #daycare-centers.
• Family child care #homes.
• Early Head Start or Head Start programs.
• Community centers with #early-learning programs.

Many organizations welcome volunteers, and this experience can count toward the 480 hours of work experience required for the CDA.

Seek Internship Opportunities

Internships in child care settings are another way to gain the necessary experience. Reach out to local child care providers, schools, or community programs to inquire about internship opportunities.

Complete Your Training

You can still complete the 120 hours of formal training required for the CDA. Training does not require you to be employed in child care, so this step can be completed independently.

Leverage Temporary or Substitute Positions

If volunteering or internships aren’t feasible, consider becoming a substitute #teacher or working part-time in a child care setting. Temporary positions can provide the experience you need without requiring a long-term commitment.

Explore the Home Visitor CDA Option

The Home Visitor CDA focuses on working with families and children in their homes rather than in a child care setting. This might be a more flexible option for those not employed in traditional child care settings.

Build Your Professional Portfolio

Even if you’re not employed in child care, you can still create a strong portfolio by documenting your training, volunteer experiences, and any interactions you’ve had with children and families. Be proactive in collecting examples of your work and building a strong case for your competency.

Key Considerations

• Eligibility for the Verification Visit: You’ll need access to a setting where a Professional Development Specialist (PDS) can observe you working directly with children. Plan ahead to ensure you can arrange this.
• Family Questionnaire: You’ll need feedback from families you’ve worked with, even in a volunteer capacity.

By being resourceful and proactive, you can meet the requirements for the CDA Credential and achieve your professional goals in #early-childhood-education, even if you’re not currently working in the field. Let me know if you’d like help finding training programs or opportunities!