Child Development Associates Class graduates

Front Row: Jaimia Blue, Mary Lane. Second Row: Annette Treadwell, Destinee Primm, Stephanie Lowes. Third Row: Stacey Hicks, CDA Instructor. Fourth Row: Ashley Davie, Shannon Garrett, Hattie Adkinson, Adriane Harvey. Not Pictured: Amy Owen, Stephanie Fraction

The Educare Program's Child Development Associates Class held its graduation on May 20, 2014, at the Cape Public School Administration Building. The CDA class is a national credential from the Council for Professional Recognition, headquartered in Washington, D.C.

During the course of the program, students participate in 120 hours of training in a variety of topics including child development, health and safety, setting up quality environments for young children and other topics related to early care and education for children ages 0-5 years. After completing training participants take a test, are observed by a Professional Development Specialist, have their portfolio reviewed and complete a personal interview with the PD Specialist.

"Research tells us the more training teachers have the more effective they are in the classroom," said Janice Jones, Success By 6 Coordinator. "As part of our effort to have all children in our community ready for kindergarten we support efforts to improve the early care and education programs in our area by investing in teacher training."

Funds for the class are provide by Success By 6 United Way of Southeast Missouri to support quality improvements in early care and education programs.

"We are very appreciative of the investment Success By 6 has made in the CDA program," said Stacey Hicks, Educare trainer and teacher for the CDA program. "We could not have the classes without their support."

"When parents are looking for child care they should ask about the credentials/training of the staff," said Jones. "Having a child care teacher with a CDA credential means they have knowledge of how to work with children of different ages and have realistic expectations of young children. They are able to plan activities that are appropriate for each age developmentally."

For more information on the Educare Program's Child Development Associates Class, contact the Educare office at 651-9171.