As professionals dedicated to the advancement of early childhood education, we understand the critical role that a highly skilled and well-trained workforce plays in the development and success of young children. At the Council for Professional Recognition, we are committed to setting the highest standards for early childhood educators through our Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™. This credential not only signifies excellence in the sector but also provides educators with the foundational tools and knowledge they need to foster a nurturing and effective learning environment.
The CDA® credential is a nationally recognized and respected marker of competency in early childhood education. It is designed to ensure that educators possess the essential skills and knowledge to support the development of children from birth to age five. The CDA® process involves 480 hours of professional development and 120 hours of formal early childhood education training, focused on the CDA’s Competency Standards, which are divided into six competency goals. This rigorous preparation culminates in a national exam that evaluates educators’ abilities across thirteen functional areas, including safety, communication, guidance, and professional conduct. For close to 50 years, educators have earned their CDA.
The CDA serves as a formal recognition of an educator’s qualifications, knowledge, and skills. This credential is achieved through rigorous training programs that cover child development, educational psychology, instructional strategies, and classroom management, among other key areas. This training equips educators with the tools necessary to create a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment for young children. Moreover, credentials ensure that educators are up to date on the latest research and best practices in early childhood education.
ECE constantly evolves, with new insights into how children learn and develop. Credentialed educators are more likely to engage in ongoing professional development, allowing them to incorporate innovative teaching methods and respond to the diverse needs of their students. The CDA requires educators to demonstrate their expertise in child development and early learning principles. This process includes a detailed review of their work in classroom settings, ensuring that they can apply theoretical knowledge practically. By requiring this level of scrutiny and assessment, the CDA guarantees that educators are not only knowledgeable but also capable of implementing best practices in their daily interactions with children.
The CDA is not a one-time achievement. It necessitates ongoing professional development and renewal every three years, requiring educators to complete 45 hours of continuing education during each renewal period. This requirement encourages educators to stay current with the latest research, techniques, and innovations in early childhood education. As a result, CDA-credentialed educators are continually improving their skills, which directly benefits the children in their care.
Holding a CDA can significantly enhance an educator’s career prospects and workforce development. Many employers in the early childhood education sector recognize the CDA as a mark of professional excellence and are more likely to hire and promote individuals who possess this credential. For educators, obtaining a CDA can open doors to advanced positions, higher salaries, and greater job security. The CDA Holder Survey, an annual survey conducted in coordination with the Council, found that 73% of respondents believe the CDA has been beneficial for their career; nearly 90% say earning the CDA made them more prepared for the classroom.
Quality early childhood education programs are built on the foundation of knowledgeable and skilled educators. The CDA ensures that educators are well-prepared to create and maintain environments that support children’s learning and development. This includes designing engaging curricula, implementing effective teaching strategies, and fostering positive interactions with children and their families.
Studies have shown that children who are taught by well-trained educators perform better in both academic and social-emotional areas. CDA-credentialed educators bring a deep understanding of child development, which enables them to tailor their teaching methods to meet the unique needs of each child. This personalized approach is crucial for promoting children’s confidence, curiosity, and love of learning. Credentialed educators are also trained to work closely with families, understanding that a child’s education is a partnership between the school and home. This collaboration is essential in creating a consistent and supportive learning environment, which is crucial for the well-being and development of young children.
The credentials of early childhood educators are not just formalities; they are vital in ensuring that those entrusted with the care and education of young children are prepared to fulfill this significant responsibility. As the demand for high-quality early childhood education continues to grow, the importance of well-credentialed educators cannot be overstated. They are the cornerstone of a child’s early learning experiences, laying the groundwork for a lifetime of learning and success.
At the Council for Professional Recognition, we are proud to offer the CDA as a means to elevate the standards of early childhood education. We believe that every child deserves access to quality education, and that begins with having dedicated educators in the classroom. By promoting the CDA, we are not only supporting the professional growth of educators but also ensuring that the next generation receives the best possible start in life.
We recently marked the millionth educator to earn the CDA. We continue to invest in reimagining and innovating the CDA and the process so that it will best support educators for many more years to come. The CDA is a trusted component in the credentialing landscape, promoting excellence and professionalism in early childhood education.
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Vice President of Strategic Alliances
Elisa Shepherd is the Vice President of Strategic Alliances at the Council, where she leads initiatives to advance the Council’s mission and strategic plan through designing, managing, and executing a comprehensive stakeholder relationship strategy.
With over 25 years of experience in early childhood education (ECE), Elisa has dedicated her career to developing impactful programs, professional development opportunities, and public policies that support working families, young children, and ECE staff. Before joining the Council, Elisa held numerous roles within the childcare industry. Most recently, she served as Associate Vice President at The Learning Experience and as Senior Manager at KinderCare Education, where she influenced government affairs and public policies across 40 states.
Elisa’s commitment to leadership is reflected in her external roles on the Early Care and Education Consortium Board of Directors, the Florida Chamber Foundation Board of Trustees, and as the DEI Caucus Leader for KinderCare Education. She has been recognized as an Emerging Leader in Early Childhood by Childcare Exchange’s Leadership Initiative.
Elisa earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a focus on child development from Pennsylvania State University in State College, PA.
Chief Operations Officer (COO)
Andrew Davis serves as Chief Operating Officer at the Council. In this role, Andrew oversees the Programs Division, which includes the following operational functions: credentialing, growth and business development, marketing and communications, public policy and advocacy, research, innovation, and customer relations.
Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the early care and education field. Most recently, Andrew served as Senior Vice President of Partnership and Engagement with Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, where he led the expansion of state and community-based partnerships to produce more equitable systems of service delivery, improved programmatic quality, and greater outcomes for communities, children and families. Prior to that, he served as Director of Early Learning at Follett School Solutions.
Andrew earned his MBA from the University of Baltimore and Towson University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland – University College.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Jan Bigelow serves as Chief Financial Officer at the Council and has been with the organization since February of 2022.
Jan has more than 30 years in accounting and finance experience, including public accounting, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has held management-level positions with BDO Seidman, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Pew Center for Global Climate Change, Communities In Schools, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and American Humane. Since 2003, Jan has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector where she has been a passionate advocate in improving business operations in order to further the mission of her employers.
Jan holds a CPA from the State of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College. She resides in Alexandria VA with her husband and dog.
Vice President of People and Culture
Janie Payne is the Vice President of People and Culture for the Council for Professional Recognition. Janie is responsible for envisioning, developing, and executing initiatives that strategically manage talent and culture to align people strategies with the overarching business vision of the Council. Janie is responsible for driving organizational excellence through strategic talent practices, orchestrating workforce planning, talent acquisition, performance management as well as a myriad of other Human Resources Programs. She is accountable for driving effectiveness by shaping organizational structure for optimal efficiency. Janie oversees strategies that foster a healthy culture to include embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of the organization.
In Janie’s prior role, she was the Vice President of Administration at Equal Justice Works, where she was responsible for leading human resources, financial operations, facilities management, and information technology. She was also accountable for developing and implementing Equal Justice Works Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy focused on attracting diverse, mission-oriented talent and creating an inclusive and equitable workplace environment. With more than fifteen years of private, federal, and not-for-profit experience, Janie is known for her intuitive skill in administration management, human resources management, designing and leading complex system change, diversity and inclusion, and social justice reform efforts.
Before joining Equal Justice Works, Janie was the Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer for Global Communities, where she was responsible for the design, implementation, and management of integrated HR and diversity strategies. Her work impacted employees in over twenty-two countries. She was responsible for the effective management of different cultural, legal, regulatory, and economic systems for both domestic and international employees. Prior to Global Communities, Janie enjoyed a ten-year career with the federal government. As a member of the Senior Executive Service, she held key strategic human resources positions with multiple cabinet-level agencies and served as an advisor and senior coach to leaders across the federal sector. In these roles, she received recognition from management, industry publications, peers, and staff for driving the creation and execution of programs that created an engaged and productive workforce.
Janie began her career with Verizon Communications (formerly Bell Atlantic), where she held numerous roles of increasing responsibility, where she directed a diversity program that resulted in significant improvement in diversity profile measures. Janie was also a faculty member for the company’s Black Managers Workshop, a training program designed to provide managers of color with the skills needed to overcome barriers to their success that were encountered because of race. She initiated a company-wide effort to establish team-based systems and structures to impact corporate bottom line results which was recognized by the Department of Labor. Janie was one of the first African American women to be featured on the cover of Human Resources Executive magazine.
Janie received her M.A. in Organization Development from American University. She holds numerous professional development certificates in Human Capital Management and Change Management, including a Diversity and Inclusion in Human Resources certificate from Cornell University. She completed the year-long Maryland Equity and Inclusion Leadership Program sponsored by The Schaefer Center for Public Policy and The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights. She is a trained mediator and Certified Professional Coach. She is a graduate of Leadership America, former board chair of the NTL Institute and currently co-steward of the organization’s social justice community of practice, and a member of The Society for Human Resource Management. Additionally, Janie is the Board Chairperson for the Special Education Citizens Advisory Council for Prince Georges County where she is active in developing partnerships that facilitate discussion between parents, families, educators, community leaders, and the PG County school administration to enhance services for students with disabilities which is her passion. She and her husband Randolph reside in Fort Washington Maryland.
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