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The Certificate in Early Childhood Education is an online certificate program consisting of three courses designed to provide students with the education component of the requirements for the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential from the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition for infants, toddlers, preschool, and family child care. Students will learn about the development of young children. Upon completion of the certificate program, students should be able to demonstrate the teacher competencies associated with providing high quality childcare. The program fulfills the education requirements for the CDA Credential and provides learning activities that guide students towards meeting other CDA Credential requirements, including (a) developing a professional resource file, (b) administering parent opinion questionnaires, (c) preparing for the CDA written assessment, and (d) preparing for the oral situational interview.The Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition, which is not affiliated with Cardean University, confers the CDA Credential. In addition to completing this certificate program, students wishing to obtain the CDA Credential should be working either full- or part-time in a state approved child development center or family child care home as a lead caregiver and have someone who is eligible to serve as a mentor. Students should consult with the Council (www.cdacouncil.org) to learn about specific education, work experience and other requirements for the CDA Credential.