You may work to become a child development associate (CDA) by first successfully completing a secondary education or its equivalent. In some jurisdictions, CDA certification is necessary before being allowed to work in the field. Most often, certification requires completing college-level courses applicable to early child development and may require testing to demonstrate competency in this area. Familiarizing yourself with the exact child development associate requirements for accessing work in your area is an important first step. After completing all requirements, you may become a child development associate by searching for jobs in your local classifieds, through Internet employment sites and by directly approaching centers and facilities that employ CDAs.
In some instances, a high school student may engage in child development associate training by enrolling in a vocational program geared toward early education. In areas where certification is necessary before becoming a child development associate, however, the process of becoming credentialed must be adhered to and completed. If you live in such an area, check with your local education department or other relevant government agency to find the exact qualifications needed for you to become a child development associate.
The amount of training and certification needed may also vary depending on which age groups you intend to work with after you become a child development associate. For instance, if you plan to work in a private or state-run childcare facility, the child development associate requirements may be more stringent than if you are working in a family daycare business. It is, therefore, important for you to clearly identify the type of setting you would like to eventually work in to properly prepare yourself for that type of CDA job.
Becoming a child development associate also requires particular attributes and skills that are not taught at a formal level, but that must be intrinsic to your nature. For instance, individuals planning to become a child development associate should be patient, kind, energetic, trustworthy and able to effectively and fairly handle conflict. Individuals working in child development associate careers should not have a criminal record and must be able to pass a thorough background check.
In addition to possessing basic skills needed to work with children, other child development associate duties require you to be able to work well with other adults. Specifically, you must be able to communicate clearly with parents and other childcare workers. Good reading skills, as well as strong verbal and written communication skills are a must, as all of these are regularly used to relay important information about a child’s safety, behavior and activities.
After deciding to become a child development associate, gaining experience will also help you in the process of beginning your career. While you may not be able to work as a CDA right away, you may earn experience through babysitting, working as a private nanny, tutoring children or in some other capacity involving children. Volunteering at places such as childcare centers, schools and community-based organizations with programs for children may also offer experience to help you become a child development associate.
