
Suppose one of your teachers is working on a CDA right now. When the Advisor came out to observe at your Center, it was brought to your attention that there were parts of your program not meeting the Council's criteria. And, until these were met, your teacher could not continue pursuing a CDA unless s/he worked someplace else that did meet the requirements.
You may have come up against this frustrating situation already... but if not, I'd like to help prevent it from happening. A Candidate may be knowledgeable in child development and wonderful with young children, but s/he must also be working in a developmentally appropriate setting.
Unfortunately, just because a Center is licensed, does not mean it meets the Council's very specific standards. You need to know what these standards are, not only to satisfy the requirements for your staff's CDA process, but most importantly, to ensure that you are providing the best possible program for the children in your care.
It is also important for you to be familiar with what all is involved in the CDA process, so you can support your teachers in being successful. Your assistance can make the difference in whether or not your staff has a positive attitude about getting a CDA and if they will persevere through the process.