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Nebraska’s CDA Pathways

CDA LogoThe Council for Professional Recognition administers the Child Development Associate® (CDA) National Credentialing Program. The CDA Program is designed to assess and credential early childhood education professionals. The CDA credential is based on a core set of competency standards. There are four types of credentials: preschool, infant/toddler, family child care, and home visitor.

 

Benefits of The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential:

  • Grow your career
  • Meet state licensing requirements
  • Increase your own marketability
  • Improve professional recognition of the field
  • Implement developmentally appropriate best practices
  • Display the certificate for parents to see

There are multiple pathways to earning your Child Development Associate® (CDA) in Nebraska. On the tabs below you will find links to organizations and colleges that offer CDA programs, as well as additional resources to guide you.

NDE authorized organizations that have gone through the CDA Council alignment process.

Organization

Delivery

Setting(s)

Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative*+ Online/In-Person Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care
Early Learning Connection Regions In-Person Contact regional coordinator
Quorum E-Learning* Online Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care
The Care Courses School Online Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care, Home Visitor
Child Development Education Online Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care
Prosolutions Training Online Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care
ContinuED Online Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care
Air Child Care Training Solutions Online Infant/Toddler, Preschool
Teachstone with CLASS Online Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care
CDAClass.org Online Infant/Toddler, Preschool

*Offered in Spanish
+Provides Coaching

Colleges that offer a CDA Pathway.

College

Delivery

Setting(s)

Metro Community College*+ Online/In-Person Infant/Toddler
Little Priest Tribal College In-Person Infant/Toddler
Nebraska Indian Community College In-Person Infant/Toddler, Preschool
Central Community College Online/In-Person Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care
Northeast Community College Online/In-Person Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care
Penn State Better Kid Care Online Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care
Rasmussen College* Online Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care
AgriLife Extension Online CDA Renewals only

*Offered in Spanish
+Provides Coaching

Below are additional resources that will help you on your path to obtaining a CDA credential.

  • CDA Process Overview
    A step-by-step overview of the Council for Professional Recognition’s CDA credentialing process.
  • NDE CDA Scholarship Project
    The CDA Scholarship Project provides individuals working in early childhood care and education programs in Nebraska the opportunity to apply for funds to assist with the costs of achieving a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Funds for this project come from the federal Child Care and Development Fund and may be used for the initial assessment or renewal fees. The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) Office of Early Childhood administers this project.
  • Schedule Your CDA Exam
    CDA Candidates who have applied to the Council for Professional Recognition and have received a ready to schedule notice may schedule their CDA Exam through Pearson.

Questions?
Contact Us!

Early Childhood Training Center
nde.ectc@nebraska.gov
1-800-892-4453

Updated February 23, 2023 9:47am