Parents and Families
The resource for your child’s early years and your high school student’s ECE path forward.
Nurturing Your Child
The Council for Professional Recognition is dedicated to supporting parents and families in navigating questions about child care and education training. We’re your go-to resource for help with selecting a child care program, tips on advocating for early childhood education in your community, advice on preparing your high school student for early childhood education training and more.
Selecting a child care program
Research shows that quality preschool and play-based learning child care programs can play a significant role in childhood development, particularly in the areas of social-emotional intelligence, academic growth and confidence. As you explore program options for your child, view our age-specific program selection guidance.
CDA holders are equipped to provide the highest level of care for children aged from birth to five, attaining 6 Competency Goals defined by 13 functional areas:
Goal 1: To establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment
- Safe
- Healthy
- Learning Environment
Goal 2: To advance physical and intellectual competence
- Physical
- Cognitive
- Communicative
- Creative
Goal 3: To support social and emotional development and to provide positive guidance
- Self
- Social
- Guidance
Goal 4: To establish positive and productive relationships with families
- Families
Goal 5. To ensure a well-run, purposeful program responsive to participant needs
- Program Management
Goal 6. To maintain a commitment to professionalism
- Professionalism
We are in the process of creating age-specific guidance to assist parents/guardians during each stage of child development. In the meantime, please see parenting guidance for children age birth to five.
We are in the process of creating age-specific guidance to assist parents/guardians during each stage of child development. In the meantime, please see parenting guidance for children age birth to five.
We are in the process of creating age-specific guidance to assist parents/guardians during each stage of child development. In the meantime, please see parenting guidance for children age birth to five.
We are in the process of creating further resources to assist parents/guardians of high school-age students who are interested in pursuing early childhood education. In the meantime, please see our blog and fact sheet on earning the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ during high school.
The best way to prepare for a career in ECE: The High School CDA® 
Coming soon: Use our search tool to find a child care program that includes at least one early childhood education professional who holds an active Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ credential.