What Is the CDA Credential and Do You Need One to Work in Early Childhood Education?

The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is the most widely recognized early childhood education credential in the United States — and the number of employers who now require it is growing every year. If you are thinking about working in a childcare center, preschool, or Head Start program, there is a good chance someone is going to ask you about your CDA before they ask anything else. 

So what is it, exactly? What does it take to earn one? And how does a degree program at Bryant & Stratton College fit into the picture? 

What the CDA Credential Actually Is 

The CDA is issued by the Council for Professional Recognition, a nonprofit organization that has been setting early childhood standards since 1975. It is a nationally recognized credential that signals you have the knowledge, skills, and experience to work effectively with young children — from infants to age five, and in some specializations, up through school-age programs. 

There are six CDA credential settings you can pursue: 

• Center-Based Preschool 

• Center-Based Infant/Toddler 

• Family Child Care 

• Home Visitor 

• Early Head Start Home Visitor 

• School-Age Care 

Most people working in licensed childcare centers pursue the Center-Based Preschool or Infant/Toddler setting, depending on the age group they work with. 

What It Takes to Earn the CDA 

The CDA is not something you simply sign up for and receive. There are three main requirements you need to meet before you apply: 

120 hours of formal early childhood education. This coursework must cover eight subject areas defined by the Council for Professional Recognition, including child development, curriculum, healthy learning environments, family and community relationships, and more. This is one of the most important things to understand about the credential — you need structured, accredited coursework, not just work experience. 

480 hours of professional experience. You need to have worked directly with young children in a group setting, supervised by a qualified professional. This experience must be gained within the past three years. 

A professional portfolio, a written exam, and a verification visit. You will compile a professional portfolio documenting your work, complete a written exam, and have a Professional Development Specialist (PDS) observe you working with children and review your materials. 

The process takes planning, but it is very achievable — especially if you are enrolled in a program designed with these requirements in mind. 

Why So Many Employers Now Require It 

The CDA has moved from “preferred” to “required” at a lot of childcare centers over the past decade, and there are a few reasons for that. 

First, many states have tied CDA attainment to their childcare quality rating systems. Programs that employ credentialed staff often qualify for higher quality ratings, which affects both licensing and funding. Second, Head Start and Early Head Start programs — which serve hundreds of thousands of children across the country — require lead teachers to hold at minimum a Child Development Associate credential or be enrolled in a program leading to one, per federal regulations. Third, parents are savvier than ever. When a family is choosing a childcare program, knowing that staff hold professional credentials matters to them. 

Put simply, the CDA has become a baseline in a way it was not twenty years ago. 

How Bryant & Stratton College Programs Prepare You for the CDA 

Both the Early Childhood Care and Development Diploma and the AAS in Early Childhood Education at Bryant & Stratton College are designed to meet the 120-hour educational requirement for the CDA Credential. Both programs are also aligned with the standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), which means the content you study reflects current, research-backed practice in the field. 

The coursework covers exactly what the Council for Professional Recognition is looking for: child growth and development across the lifespan, curriculum planning and implementation, observation and assessment of young children, health and safety in early learning environments, family and community engagement, and professional ethics. These are not topics you skim — they are the foundation of what it means to be a competent early childhood professional. 

If you are pursuing the AAS, you will also complete a student teaching component in a local elementary or early learning setting, which helps you build and document the hands-on experience you need for the CDA portfolio and verification visit. 

Diploma vs. AAS: Which One Makes More Sense for CDA Purposes? 

Both programs meet the 120-hour requirement, so either one will qualify you educationally to pursue the CDA. The difference comes down to the depth of your preparation and what you want to do after you earn the credential. 

The Diploma is a 36-credit program you can complete in about a year. It gets you into the workforce quickly and gives you what you need to begin accumulating the 480 hours of professional experience required for the CDA application. It is a strong starting point. 

The AAS is a 60-credit program that typically takes under two years. It covers everything in the Diploma and then goes deeper into curriculum theory, child assessment, and family engagement. It positions you for a broader range of roles — including preschool teacher positions that increasingly require an associate degree or higher — and sets you up for advancement toward a directorship down the road. 

One thing worth knowing: credits from the Bryant & Stratton College Diploma apply toward the AAS, so if you start with the Diploma and later decide you want to continue, you are not starting over. 

What About Salary and Job Outlook? 

Earning the CDA can directly affect how much you earn and which roles you qualify for. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, childcare workers earn a median annual salary of $30,290. Preschool teachers — a role that typically requires a credential or degree — earn a median of $38,520. And childcare center directors, who manage staff and operations, earn a median of $55,870. 

The field is also growing. The BLS projects 8% growth for preschool and childcare center director roles through 2033, with about 19,200 annual job openings projected. At the teacher and childcare worker level, demand remains strong due to high turnover — meaning credentialed, trained candidates consistently stand out. 

The CDA is often the credential that moves you from the bottom of the pay scale to a professional role with a clearer path upward. 

Is the CDA Required or Just Helpful? 

It depends on where you want to work. 

For many positions in licensed childcare centers, the CDA is now either required or strongly preferred. Head Start programs are required by federal law to employ lead teachers who hold the credential or are working toward it. Some states require the CDA for lead teacher licensure in publicly funded preschool programs. 

For others — particularly those interested in becoming a preschool teacher or childcare center director — the CDA is a stepping stone on the way to higher credentials, not a final destination. Combining your CDA with an AAS or continuing education opens up more advanced roles and higher pay. 

Either way, starting your ECE education at Bryant & Stratton College means you are building toward the credential from day one — not scrambling to check a box after the fact. 

Ready to Take the Next Step? 

If you are serious about working in early childhood education, the CDA Credential is worth pursuing — and starting your education at Bryant & Stratton College is one of the most direct paths to getting there. Both the Diploma and AAS programs are available online and on campus, with flexible scheduling designed for working adults. 

Apply for free today or request more information to talk with an advisor about which program fits your goals. 

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