Is your agency currently providing training to satisfy the 120 clock hours of training for CDA? Have you thought about the importance of continuing that training to include support in finishing the CDA process? ... Helping your CDA candidates with:

 -Compiling the Professional Resource File

 -Writing the Competency Goal Statements

 -Preparing for the Advisor's Assessment   Observation

 -Filling out the Application Form

 -Practicing for the Early Childhood Studies Review Exam and the Oral Interview

Have you thought about providing your trainers the opportunity to become CDA Advisors, so they can mentor their candidates and ensure their successful completion of this process?

I would be delighted to  conduct an on-site "Train-the-Trainer"  workshop for your trainers, preparing them to accurately teach the CDA process and become registered CDA Advisors. 

The workshop is all-inclusive and very affordable. I invite you to contact me for more information.

                        easycda@easycda.com

 Recently, the Council began promoting the new "Online Assessment" option on its website. It had been determined that more study on the subject was needed before launch. However, now they now offering an online application process. 

The online application process will eventually take the place of that huge, fold-out paper application form that comes with the Application Packet. For the time being, candidates may choose to use either the paper version or the online version.

The online application will enable cross-checks by the Council, making sure the candidate has filled out the form correctly, and that the candidate's director and the Advisor have provided the necessary information. If not, the candidate will be prompted to make adjustments or corrections before proceeding with the application.

This will certainly save a lot of time! With the paper application, if something was entered wrong or was missing, the Council would have to request the revision by mail, which could delay the process by weeks.

The Council has just recently launched a rolling application system, with no fixed deadlines. As soon as all application materials are received (provided they are complete and accurate!), the Candidate can expect the Verification Visit to occur within 90 days.

As stated before, the only part of the CDA that this new online process impacts is the application. The candidate still needs to compile the Professional Resource File, write the Competency Goal Statements, be observed by an Advisor, distribute Parent Questionnaires, and participate in the Verification Visit with a Council Representative.

The next parts of the credentialing process to go online will be the Early Childhood Studies Review exam and the Oral Interview, but no date has been set, as yet for this to happen.

I will be sure to share any updated information here, as it becomes available.

You will also want to check out the Council's newly designed website! It is fresh and easier to navigate! You will also get to meet the new CEO, Valora Washington... a great leader and personal friend of mine.

 If you have completed your training hours, you might like to participate in an inexpensive online course to help you through the rest of the CDA process. Eager-to-Learn is an e-learning program of the Minnesota Child Care Resource & Referral Network, but is open to early care and education providers everywhere!(You will want to see if this course may be covered by your T.E.A.C.H. scholarship or other funding offered in your particular state).

This course, "Child Development Associate Credential (CDA)- The Final Steps" includes putting together the Professional Resource File, writing the 6 Competency Goal Statements, preparing for the CDA Advisor's observation, and the Verification Visit. The course uses The CDA Prep Guide and will be taught by me. 

If you haven't completed the 120 clock hours of training, Eager-to-Learn is an excellent option for this, as well.

How does Eager-to-Learn differ from other online course providers?

• The courses are accepted by the Council for Professional Recognition. This is important! Some of the online course providers offer courses, but some of the training may not be accepted as part of the required CDA 120 clock hours.
• The courses are interactive with highly qualified instructors. This is where Eager-to-Learn steps out in front of the majority of other online course providers. The student is not just sitting in front of a computer, reading and taking automated quizzes using a pre-packaged course cartridge. With Eager-to-Learn, students participate in required, live chat sessions with the instructor, as well as close monitoring, interaction, and feedback on every assignment. This enables instruction to meet the needs and levels of individual learners. I guess you could say it is developmentally appropriate!
• Eager-to-Learn offers courses that are well-designed and provide meaningful, quality content. Students will not only learn important concepts, but will be able to put their new knowledge to immediate use in the classroom.
• Students are placed in cohorts for their courses. This means a group of students will continue through the required courses together as a group. Cohorts provide for valuable interaction among classmates and the instructor, the sharing of ideas, and networking.
  

 
For more information, go to http://eagertolearn.org Click on the green "Registration & Login" tab at the top of the page to see a listing of upcoming classes.

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