Anyone Here CDA Certified?

[MrsCoffee]

I am currently on my third course for my CDA certificate, five more to go just wanted to see if anyone here is also doing this or has already.

Has it helped and did you switch from being an in home daycare to a center or preschool?

[Janet]

Yes and No

I did all of the required classroom hours and I did the hours with kids and I did my portfolio. The only thing that I haven't done to complete the process is have someone observe me and take the test (and pay $325 to do what I am already doing). I only did as much as I did for it because when I worked at the center that I was at, it became a requirement for lead teachers and I was the lead teacher for the toddler room. Now that I'm not required to have it (just the continuing education hours) I don't feel like finishing it. I didn't want to do it in the first place but I had to at the time to keep my lead teacher position. It's funny to think that if I went to look for a job in a center now, I wouldn't be technically qualified!

[laundryduchess@yahoo.com]

Im not required to have it I am grandfathered. But I am almost done with my hours, have my portfolio and am in a teach scholarship so I only pay about 30 bucks out of pocket. I have 3 classes left and Im done,.. Then the assessment and Ill have it.

[QualiTcare]

i worked for a company before that would pay for you to get your CDA and give a .75 cent raise when you got it. at the time, i had my associate's degree and was close to my bachelor's when i was asking for a raise. they told me the only way i could get one would be to get my CDA. i was like UHHHHH that's like asking a doctor to go back and get his nursing license. no thanks! i got the raise, btw.

so, no, i don't have a CDA because i have a bachelor's degree - and the only reason i would've considered getting a CDA if i hadn't gone to college would be for a pay raise if i was working for a center. what's the point otherwise? there may be one - i just don't see it. as a parent, i wouldn't choose a provider based on whether or not they had a CDA.

[originalkat]

I got my CDA 5 years ago...but I didnt renew it. I guess it was because I ended up getting my AA in Child Development.

[Unregistered]

Cda

I am currently on my third course for my CDA certificate, five more to go just wanted to see if anyone here is also doing this or has already.

Has it helped and did you switch from being an in home daycare to a center or preschool?

I am on module 9 waiting for it to be checked. I am so excited to get it over with but just a little nervous about the testing with the Rep. afterwards.

[Blackcat31]

I earned my CDA as a Home Visit Specialist in 1993 through Head Start. After I quit working for them I chose not to renew since I would no longer be working as a Home Visit Specialist.

I took the entire course again in 1999 as a Family Childcare Provider as they are different and have renewed once since them so I am currently an active CDA holder until this one expires in 2013. I will not renew it however, because I will have graduated with my Bachelors in Early Childhood Education in Spring of 2012 and as far as I am aware a degree overrides the need for a CDA credential.

My local CCR&R paid for my CDA entirely and awarded me a bonus payment to earn it so it was well worth it for me to take. It didn't really change the way I ran my child care though because I knew alot of the info from working at Head Start, but I do think it is worth it for child care provider's to earn it. Because of it, I get paid on a higher pay scale through any families on our state aided assistance program. I also did learn alot from taking the courses so I definately think it is worth it. I have seriously considered becoming a CDA advisor in my area. But I am busy with work and school right now so we will see.