Penn State Cooperative Extension in Clearfield County received funding from the Department of Public Welfare’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) through the Northwest Institute of Research/Northwest Regional Key to offer a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential course. Cen-Clear Child Services – Clearfield campus will be sponsoring the non-credit class, starting Oct. 3.
Area child care practitioners including center, group and family-based child care programs will be participating in this class. The mission of the Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credentialing Program is to enhance the quality of early care and education for young children by establishing standards which define, evaluate, and recognize the competence of early childhood teachers.
The coursework consists of subject matter in eight competency levels in early childhood development and observation. The CDA credential is administered by the Office of Professional Recognition (the Council) in Washington, D.C. CDA candidates are required to complete not only training hours, but also to develop a professional portfolio, prepare for on-site observations and final examinations conducted by a PD Specialist from the CDA Council.
Jacqueline Amor-Zitzelberger, Better Kid Care extension educator and CDA trainer, stated “This is a wonderful professional development opportunity for the child care providers in the area. These providers are dedicated individuals in the field, and their interest is to improve the quality of care for our children and to become outstanding professionals and leaders in our community.”
The class begins October 3, 2013 and will meet from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. every Thursday night for 20 weeks in the conference room at the Cen-Clear Child Services – Clearfield campus on Industrial Park Road.
The fee for the class is $150, which includes the text book and application packet. There is an additional $50 fee for those individuals who are not participating in the Keystone STARS program. Space is limited to 20 seats. Individuals should call to register.