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Exciting news for early childhood professionals! A new Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is launching — it covers both infants, toddlers, and preschoolers under one credential.
Starting August 1, 2025, the Birth to Five Child Development Associate allows educators to earn a single credential that spans the entire birth‑to‑five age range. Until now, the same specialty required holding multiple CDA credentials, the separate Infant/Toddler and Preschool credentials. With this new option, one certification demonstrates your ability to support children at every stage of early development.
What does this mean for you? The Birth to Five CDA recognizes a wider scope of expertise, eliminates the need for multiple credentials, and strengthens your qualifications for leadership roles in programs serving all age groups. It’s a pathway that not only reflects how early learning centers operate but also expands opportunities for career growth.
In this post, we’ll cover the requirements to earn a Birth to Five Child Development Associate (CDA), who it’s for, and the doors it can open for your future in early childhood education.
What Is the Birth to Five Child Development Associate?
The Birth to Five Child Development Associate (CDA) is a new, nationally recognized credential offered by the Council for Professional Recognition, the same organization behind the established Infant‑Toddler and Preschool CDA credentials.
This center-based setting credential launches on August 1, 2025, and is specifically designed for educators working in licensed child development centers. It merges the previously separate Infant‑Toddler and Preschool credential tracks into one comprehensive certification that reflects how most early learning centers operate, with teachers moving fluidly between age groups.
Note: The Birth to Five credential is specific to center-based settings. If you work in a family child care home, you would pursue the Family Child Care CDA.
Who Is the Birth to Five Child Development Associate For?
The Birth to Five CDA is for early childhood educators and leaders in center-based programs who serve children from birth through age five.
It’s a strong choice for:
- Educators who want flexibility to move between different age-based classrooms year after year without needing multiple credentials.
- Teachers in mixed-age group classrooms where serving children across a wide developmental span is part of daily practice.
- Current administrators or leaders in centers serving children birth through preschool, whose role requires oversight across all age groups.
- Educators preparing for leadership roles in Birth to Five center settings who want to strengthen their qualifications for advancement.
This credential is particularly valuable in programs where staffing needs change, classrooms are combined, or leadership roles demand a deeper understanding of development from infancy to kindergarten entry. By earning the Birth to Five Child Development Associate, you’re showing employers that you can adapt to multiple teaching environments, lead across diverse age groups, and bring a comprehensive perspective to early learning.
What Are the Requirements to Earn the Birth to Five Child Development Associate?
Earning the Birth to Five Child Development Associate (CDA) follows the same core process as other CDA credentials, but with expanded requirements to reflect service across all three early childhood age groups: infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Candidates must meet the following requirements, all within a center-based setting:
Education Requirement
- Must have a high school diploma or GED, or be enrolled as a junior or senior in a high school CTE early education program.
Training Hours
- 120 hours of formal early childhood education training, covering development from birth through age five, with at least 10 hours in each of the eight CDA subject areas.
- CCEI offers several online CDA course options, both self‑study and instructor-supported, that fully meet the Council’s 120-hour requirement.
Work Experience
- 480 hours in a center-based program within the past three years, including at least 160 hours in each age group:
Professional Portfolio
- A portfolio containing reflective statements, sample materials (e.g. lesson plans, safety checklists), CPR/First Aid documentation, and evidence covering all three age groups. Learn more about the portfolio requirements.
Verification Visit
- A CDA Professional Development (PD) Specialist with Birth to Five endorsement will conduct an observation and reflective conversation using the Council’s R.O.R. process (Review, Observe, Reflect).
CDA Exam
- A 65-question multiple-choice exam administered at a Pearson VUE testing center, assessing knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice for children from birth through five.
What Opportunities Does the Birth to Five Child Development Associate Create?
Earning the Birth to Five CDA offers more than just a new credential — it represents a broader, deeper level of expertise that programs value. Because it spans infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, it signals to employers that you can serve children at every stage of early development and adapt to a variety of classroom needs.
Here’s how this credential can impact your career:
- Greater flexibility in your role. With one credential covering all age groups, you can confidently move between classrooms as staffing needs change or new opportunities arise.
- Stronger qualifications for leadership. This credential supports advancement into lead teacher, curriculum coordinator, or administrative roles, especially in programs that serve birth through five.
- Increased earning potential. Many centers tie pay raises to earning a CDA — and a credential that spans multiple age groups may hold even greater weight during salary discussions.
- A competitive edge in the job market. The Birth to Five CDA demonstrates a broader understanding of child development, making you stand out to employers seeking versatile and highly qualified educators.
With this new pathway, the Council for Professional Recognition is not just updating the CDA — it’s creating an opportunity for educators to expand their scope, showcase their expertise, and open doors to new career possibilities.
Join 1M+ Educators with CCEI’s Online CDA Training
Ready to earn your Birth to Five Child Development Associate? CCEI is the Council-approved, nationally accredited training provider trusted by more than one million educators to meet their CDA goals.
Our CDA programs are 100% online, self-paced, and supported by expert trainers who guide you through every step, from coursework to portfolio completion.