May 2, 2016 – Early childhood caregivers can learn about becoming credentialed at an information
session on May 17 at 6 p.m. at Dutchess Community College’s Poughkeepsie campus, Taconic
Hall, room 209. The two-semester, 12-credit Child Development Associate credentialing
program will be held Tuesday evenings beginning in the fall.
The CDA is a nationally recognized credential given by the Council on Professional
Recognition, a Washington D.C.-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving
the professional status of child care providers. The credential is awarded for three
settings: center-based, for which candidates are endorsed to work with infants and
toddlers or pre-school children; family child care; and home visitor.
The College also offers associate degree programs in these fields. The Early Childhood
Education Associate of Applied Science degree program prepares students to teach (head
of group) in a child care center or as an assistant in a public school setting. The
Early Childhood Caregiver Applied Academic Certificate, a one-year program, provides
early childhood and academically based skills to students working with, or seeking
to work with, young children in day care centers or family day care settings.
For more information about the credential or degree programs, the information session
or how to use SUNY Educational Incentive Program funds toward tuition costs, contact
Early Childhood Education Field Supervisor Eileen Hall at (845) 431-8346.
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