Child Development Associate Credential (CDA)

Now is the time to sign up for our 2009-2010 CDA class!

What is CDA?
CDA is the Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program. CDA helps candidates to define, evaluate, and recognize competent skills in themselves and their programs. Assessment and credentialing of child care providers was started in 1971 by the Council for Professional Recognition. More than 100,000 child care providers have earned their CDA certificates since 1975. This credential is required for child care licensing by 48 states and the District of Columbia.

CDA Certificates can be awarded for center-based care or family child care. Certificates are targeted for either infant/toddler care or preschool.

What is required to obtain my CDA?
A person with a CDA certificate has the skills necessary to provide quality child care. These skills have been honed through hands-on classroom experience and 120 hours of classroom instruction. Candidates complete a resource notebook which includes an autobiography and written statements of competency. Candidates must also complete an oral test and interview covering knowledge of six competency goals. Candidates are also observed in their child care setting.

A CDA certificate is valid for three years, and it may be renewed in five year increments.

How can Workshop on Wheels help me get my CDA?
Workshop on Wheels has been providing training for CDA candidates since 1976. Through our program candidates receive 120 clock-hours of instruction in the required subject areas. Throughout the class, instructors assist candidates in completing the resource file. Participants also receive technical assistance in the form of at least two classroom observations.

Can I get college credit for my CDA?
Candidates who complete their CDA coursework through Workshop on Wheels may choose to earn up to 9 hours of college credit through the University of Central Missouri. Additional fees apply.

Where and when are classes?
The Workshop on Wheels CDA class meets on Thursdays evenings from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm for approximately 9 months from August through May. Classes are currently held on the campus of University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. Participants must attend the full nine months to complete the program. Provisions are made for students who miss a limited number of classes due to excused absences.

How much does it cost?
Fees vary each year, and tuition assistance may be available. Call Workshop on Wheels for current fees.

Healthy Smiles at KMOS Kids Day

Workshop on Wheels was happy to participate in KMOS Kids Day on Saturday, June 20, 2009. Families visiting our booth learned how to keep their teeth healthy by first eating an Oreo, then looking at their "dirty" teeth in the mirror.

Then children (and some adults!) ate a slice of apple and observed how the healthier snack cleaned the cookie from their teeth. Except for a couple very neat eaters, the experiment was a huge success!

Children were given a choice of a free toothbrush or a free pack of dental flossers. These were generously donated by Dr. Suchman's office in Independence, MO.

Hundreds of "cool kids" from our corner of Missouri attended the event and participated in many fun and educational activities provided by KMOS and local area businesses and organizations.

Some PBS celebrities were even on hand during the day. We have connections with Clifford's "people."