Wayland Woman Awarded CDA Credentials, And That's a Big Deal

Justine Alpert of Bright Horizons at Wayland has been awarded a national Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential from the Council of Professional Recognition in Washington, DC, in recognition of outstanding work with young children. The Council recognizes and credentials early care and education professionals who demonstrate an understanding of how the Council’s nationally recognized CDA Competency Standards can help teachers support young children’s early care and learning experiences. 

“It takes special knowledge, skills, and expertise to be an effective teacher of young children,” says Valora Washington, CEO of the Council. “It’s a great honor to earn a CDA and it shows a commitment to quality early childhood education.”

To obtain a CDA Credential, candidates must demonstrate through a comprehensive evaluation process their knowledge of the Council’s CDA Competency Standards and be observed working with young children. Only after the candidate successfully completes the observation and an exam at a local Pearson Vue testing center are they awarded the national Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential - valid for three years. 

Earning a CDA Credential from the Council for Professional Recognition verifies that early care professionals have the ability to put the following CDA Competency Standards into practice:

• Establishing and maintaining a healthy and safe learning environment for children
• Advancing the physical and intellectual competence of young children
• Supporting social and emotional development and providing positive guidance for children
• Establishing positive and productive relationships with families
• Ensuring a well-run, purposeful program that is responsive to participant needs
• Maintaining a commitment to professionalism, early care and education

Over 325,000 early childhood professionals make up the CDA community and they are having a positive effect on the quality of early childhood education by helping preschools, day care centers, and family child care programs hire qualified and competent professionals who ensure the best care for our nation’s youngest children.