ECE University’s CDA program covers all 121 hours across 8 competency areas, organized into 10 clear levels so you can build confidence and stay on track from day one through credential day — 100% online and self-paced.
The Child Development Associate® is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education — and often required for lead teacher roles, licensing compliance, and career advancement.
Select the credential that matches the age group you work with. Each pathway is 121 hours, fully self-paced, and includes everything you need to earn your credential.
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Prepares educators to support children from infancy through preschool across all early childhood age groups, from birth to age five.
A specialization in responsive, developmentally appropriate care for children from birth to age three, the most critical years of growth.
Focuses on school readiness, social–emotional growth, and engaging learning environments for children ages three through five.
Prepares educators for safe, engaging before- and after-school environments that support children ages five through twelve.
Our CDA program is organized into 10 progressive levels. Click any level below to see the courses, descriptions, and the CDA competency area each course addresses.
| Course Title | Description | Hrs | CEUs | CDA Competency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Working with Children (All Ages) | Equips ECE teachers to implement age-appropriate, best-practice procedures in their classrooms. | 2 | 0.2 | Advancing children's physical and intellectual development |
| Managing Conflict in the Child Care Workplace | Learn to identify, manage, and resolve conflicts effectively in childcare environments. | 1 | 0.1 | Planning a safe and healthy learning environment |
| Child Motor Skill Development | Understand developmental milestones and ways to support children's motor skills through play and intervention. | 2 | 0.2 | Advancing children's physical and intellectual development |
| Skyrocketing Enrollments | Provides tools to maximize enrollment opportunities by converting leads into enrolled students. | 1 | 0.1 | Building productive relationships with families |
| Communication with Confidence for Owners and Administrators | Develop self-confidence, build psychological safety, and improve communication with staff. | 1 | 0.1 | Managing an effective program operation |
| Driving Peak Performance in an Organization | Identify and cultivate peak performance within yourself and your organization. | 1 | 0.1 | Maintaining a commitment to professionalism |
| Understanding the Effects of Traumatic Stress | Learn to recognize, manage, and reduce stress impacts in early childhood education settings. | 4 | 0.4 | Observing and recording children's behavior |
| Course Title | Description | Hrs | CEUs | CDA Competency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effective Strategies for Managing Children with ADHD | Gain tools to support children with ADHD using effective strategies. | 1 | 0.1 | Supporting children's social and emotional development |
| Supporting Strong School Enrollment | Focuses on staff's role in maintaining and increasing enrollment. | 1 | 0.1 | Building productive relationships with families |
| Controlling Expenses for a More Profitable School | Learn financial strategies to manage school expenses and improve efficiency. | 1 | 0.1 | Managing an effective program operation |
| Mastering Exceptional Child Care Services | Customer service essentials to provide exceptional childcare experiences. | 1 | 0.1 | Maintaining a commitment to professionalism |
| Understanding and Coping with Violence for Young Children | Help children understand, recognize, and manage exposure to violence. | 3 | 0.3 | Observing and recording children's behavior |
| Understanding Child Development Theories | Explore major child development theories to improve instructional practices. | 2 | 0.2 | Understanding the principles of child development and learning |
| Encouraging Family Relationships | Learn strategies to build strong partnerships with families for better child outcomes. | 3 | 0.3 | Building productive relationships with families |
| Course Title | Description | Hrs | CEUs | CDA Competency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Procedures | Learn how to prepare for and manage potential emergencies in childcare environments. | 2 | 0.2 | Planning a safe and healthy learning environment |
| Supporting Children with Autism in the Classroom | Inclusive strategies for supporting children with autism in early education. | 2 | 0.2 | Supporting children's social and emotional development |
| Tour Like a Rockstar: Part 1 | Master lead generation and preparation for family tours to increase enrollments. | 1 | 0.1 | Building productive relationships with families |
| Everything Speaks: How Your Workplace Physical Environment Brands Your School | Understand how environments influence brand perception and parent engagement. | 1 | 0.1 | Managing an effective program operation |
| Public Relations Crisis Communication for Administrators and Owners | Learn how to manage communications effectively during crises. | 1 | 0.1 | Maintaining a commitment to professionalism |
| The Importance of Observation in Childcare Settings | Learn effective strategies for observing, documenting, and supporting children's development. | 2 | 0.2 | Observing and recording children's behavior |
| Scheduling: The Secret Sauce to Staff Engagement | Master scheduling strategies to maintain compliance and staff engagement. | 1 | 0.1 | Managing an effective program operation |
| Course Title | Description | Hrs | CEUs | CDA Competency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approaching Anti-Bias with Young Children | Educate children in anti-bias and multicultural practices to promote inclusivity. | 5 | 0.5 | Planning a safe and healthy learning environment |
| Friendship Development | Support children's social-emotional skills by helping them build and maintain friendships. | 1 | 0.1 | Supporting children's social and emotional development |
| Tour Like a Rockstar: Part 2 | Convert family tours into enrollments with strong follow-up techniques. | 1 | 0.1 | Building productive relationships with families |
| Everything Speaks: Leadership That Uses Workplace Physical Environment | Learn to strategically manage physical environments to enhance branding. | 1 | 0.1 | Managing an effective program operation |
| Public Relations Crisis Communication Planning for Staff | Teaches staff members their roles in executing a school's crisis communication plan. | 1 | 0.1 | Maintaining a commitment to professionalism |
| Preventing Misbehavior Within the Classroom | Strategies for preventing challenging behaviors before they escalate. | 2 | 0.2 | Observing and recording children's behavior |
| Effective Strategies for Working with Mixed Age Groups | Learn classroom management techniques for teaching mixed-age groups effectively. | 2 | 0.2 | Understanding the principles of child development and learning |
| Course Title | Description | Hrs | CEUs | CDA Competency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Managing Bullies Within the Classroom | Learn strategies to prevent, identify, and manage bullying behaviors. | 2 | 0.2 | Planning a safe and healthy learning environment |
| Integrating Music in the Classroom | Use music to enhance learning, engagement, and child development. | 2 | 0.2 | Supporting children's social and emotional development |
| Operational Excellence — Communication | Develop professional and effective communication skills for the classroom. | 1 | 0.1 | Building productive relationships with families |
| Growing Revenue for a More Profitable School | Learn revenue-generation strategies for maximizing school profitability. | 1 | 0.1 | Managing an effective program operation |
| Administrative Procedures — Fundamentals | Focuses on operational leadership, employee relations, and customer service essentials. | 2 | 0.2 | Maintaining a commitment to professionalism |
| Designing Developmentally Appropriate Toys and Activities | Learn to create and select toys and activities tailored to children's developmental needs. | 3 | 0.3 | Understanding the principles of child development and learning |
| Course Title | Description | Hrs | CEUs | CDA Competency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embracing and Celebrating Every Child's Individuality | Learn to identify, celebrate, and support every child's unique strengths and needs. | 3 | 0.3 | Planning a safe and healthy learning environment |
| Positive Discipline with Young Children | Learn developmentally appropriate strategies for guiding behavior positively. | 3 | 0.3 | Supporting children's social and emotional development |
| Time Management: The Art of Getting Things Done | Prioritize tasks effectively and manage daily demands in education environments. | 1 | 0.1 | Building productive relationships with families |
| Smart Staffing Part 1: Recruiting and Interviewing | Master hiring strategies to recruit and select high-quality educators. | 1 | 0.1 | Managing an effective program operation |
| Understanding Child Development: A Holistic Approach | Comprehensive overview of child development milestones and growth strategies. | 2 | 0.2 | Understanding the principles of child development and learning |
| Course Title | Description | Hrs | CEUs | CDA Competency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helping Children Cope with Separation Anxiety | Support children through emotional stress during transitions and separations. | 3 | 0.3 | Supporting children's social and emotional development |
| Operational Excellence — Medication Administration | Teaches proper medication handling and safety standards for childcare environments. | 1 | 0.1 | Planning a safe and healthy learning environment |
| Smart Staffing Part 2: Completing the Hiring Process | Learn onboarding and retention strategies for new hires. | 1 | 0.1 | Managing an effective program operation |
| Working With Your Mentor: A Course for Students | Helps students maximize mentorship opportunities for personal and professional growth. | 8 | 0.8 | Maintaining a commitment to professionalism |
| Working With Your Student: A Course for Mentors | Equips mentors with tools to guide and support mentees effectively. | 8 | 0.8 | Maintaining a commitment to professionalism |
The CDA builds practical skills, professional confidence, and real career momentum — opening doors to leadership roles and higher earning potential in early learning programs.
Credentialed staff strengthen a program's quality ratings, licensing compliance, and outcomes — giving directors and administrators confidence that their team meets recognized professional standards.
Children in classrooms led by CDA-credentialed educators learn in environments shaped by knowledgeable, responsive, and committed professionals — giving them the strong foundation they deserve.
Questions about what’s right for you? Contact our support team →
Yes. We provide links and step-by-step instructions to help you locate an approved testing site and schedule your CDA exam.
No. The CDA application and exam fees are paid directly to the Council for Professional Recognition and are not included in the program cost. Scholarship funding through programs like T.E.A.C.H. may be available in your state to help cover these costs.
No. We do not offer refunds for CDA programs once purchased. Please review the program details and reach out to our support team with any questions before enrolling.
Our support team is available by email at customerservice@inspirecare360.com or by phone at 1-888-804-1349.
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Empowering parents and educators with expert-led child development courses
