Early Child Care Education / Child Development Associate

Early Child Care Education/Child Development Associate

Contact Theresa at 440.891.7697 or tliska@polaris.edu to arrange a personal tour!

700 HOURS (39 WEEKS)

The Early Child Care Education/Child Development Associate (CDA) is the most widely-recognized credential in early child care education (ECE) and is a key stepping stone on the path of career advancement in ECE. The Polaris Career Center CDA program is designed to prepare students to successfully complete the requirements for the nationally-recognized CDA credential.

The CDA credential is based on a core set of competency standards which guide early care professionals as they work toward becoming qualified teachers of young children. CDA students will learn how to nurture the emotional, physical, intellectual and social development of children. Students will also learn employability skills. The CDA student will gain knowledge of how to put the CDA Competency Standards into practice and an understanding of why those standards help children move with success from one developmental stage to another. Students will receive at least 90 Ohio Approved training hours, as well as knowledge of working with the Ohio Early Learning Development Standards. Upon completion of the classroom hours, students will be prepared to begin working in a Step Up To Quality rated childcare center. Students will have completed a registry profile with OCCRRA and gain real-life experience working in the child care field. With the new requirements for Step Up To Quality and the career pathways model, earning a CDA credential will enhance a student’s job opportunities and pay rate in the field. Learn the CDA Observation Method, R-O-R (Review, Observe & Reflect) and plan for the verification visit.

Students will receive 220-hours of classroom training and gain practical experience in a 480-hour unpaid field experience (work-based activity) at an area Step Up To Quality child care center. Field experience (work-based activity) hours will vary between 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Specific hours will be determined by the child care center.  Fast Track CDA prep program for those currently working in the child care field is also available.

Requirements for Completion:

•  A “C” average (70%) or higher
•  Attendance rate not less than 90%
•  Payment of all outstanding obligations to the school
• Completion of field experience (work-based activity)

Certifications:

•  AHA CPR/AED
•  Communicable Disease for Childcare Personnel
•  AHA Pediatric First Aid
•  Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention Training 
•  Ohio Approved Professional Development Certificate
•  Child Development Associate (CDA) (taken at testing center)

Requirements for Certification:
Within six months after completion of 480 hours of field experience (work-based activity) student must:
1. Complete application
2. Pay fee (included in program cost)
3. Schedule and complete observation
4. Complete exam

Requirements for Employment:
In order to be hired in an ODJFS licensed childcare program employees must have the following:

• An OPR (Profile on the Ohio Professional Registry), Completed BCI/FBI Backgroung Check (Form JFS01176).  This is done by submitting a request for background check (Form JFS 01175) and being electronically fingerprinted at an OHIO web check facility.
• Employee Medical Statement (Form JFS 01296), which includes MMR and TDAP Immunizations.
• High School Diploma or GED
• At the time of hire, new employees will need to complete the Staff Orientation training, and the Child Abuse One Hour Overview.

Career Opportunities:

• Lead teacher in infant, toddler or preschool program
• Assistant teacher in an infant, toddler or preschool program
• Teacher’s aide in an infant, toddler or preschool program
• Floater or substitute in an infant, toddler or preschool program
• Administrator in an infant, toddler or preschool program

Qualifies for our Adult Diploma Program

Fall 2022 - Evening
Program Orientation:
Thursday, September 15, 2-22, 5:50 PM - 7:30 PM
September 19, 2022 - June 27, 2023 (approximate ending date)
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM plus two Saturdays

Total Program Cost $6,995:
Includes Tuition: $6,086, Books & Supplies: $153, Materials & Assessments: $756
Cost includes textbooks, suppies, t-shirts (2), certification fees and CDA application fee.  Students can expect the following additional costs: physical exam, background checks and immunizations/titers.

Contact Theresa at 440.891.7697 or tliska@polaris.edu to arrange a personal tour!

Early Child Care Education/CDA 2021-2022 Advisory Members

Ms. Julie Babcock, Urban Community School
Mrs. Megan Drye, The Goddard School
Mrs. Sue Kirschner, Cuyahoga County Public Library
Ms. Clair Mayfield, Fairview Park City Schools
Ms. Jennifer Penttila, Berea Horizon Education Centers
Mrs. Heather Robey, The Smart Start Learning Center, Inc.
Mrs. Colleen Siss, KidsFirst Learning Center
Mrs. Donna Winter, Olsted Community Center/Olmsted Community Outreach