Why should you earn a CDA?

The Child Development Associate (CDA) is the #1 nationally recognized credential for early childhood educators. Earning a CDA helps you to qualify for early childhood teacher positions and advance your teaching career. With our online self-paced course, you can complete the requirements to earn your CDA in as little as 8 weeks.
Learn about the CDA

We offer the Ultimate course.

Why should you choose our course?

Our course is developed by early childhood experts and certified PD Specialists. Our course content is approved by the CDA Council and helps you meet the 120-hour training requirement while preparing you for the CDA Verification Visit and Exam. Our course content is always research-based, high-quality and easy to understand. As an enrolled student, you have the opportunity to meet with a ModernJoi instructor in a live setting to discuss course content to better apply your new knowledge in your early childhood setting.
Learn More About ModernJoi

Course Features:

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  • Flexible

    24/7 access to online learning portal, with an option to complete coursework in 2 to 12 months.

  • High Quality Learning

    Meet 120-hour training requirement for Center-Based or Family Child Care CDA Credentials.

  • Affordable Pricing

    Offered at an affordable price, with monthly payment options available.

  • Live Support Calls

    Calls with an instructor to discuss course content, and ask questions, in a live setting.

  • Online Community

    Lifetime access to student community with opportunities to ask questions, share ideas and network.

  • CDA Portfolio Prep

    Access to a certified PD Specialist to help you build your professional portfolio & prepare for the CDA exam.

Course Curriculum

Meets 120-hour training requirement

    1. Welcome

    2. Meet your Instructors

    3. Download your Course Workbook

    4. Course Outline

    1. What to Expect in MODULE 1

    2. Chapter 1: Safety Basics

      FREE PREVIEW

    3. Journal Entry | Safety Basics

    4. Test Your Knowledge | Safety Basics

    5. Chapter 2: Healthy Practices

    6. Journal Entry | Healthy Practices

    7. Test Your Knowledge | Healthy Practices

    8. Chapter 3: Learning Environment Planning

    9. Journal Entry | Learning Environment Planning

    10. Test Your Knowledge | Learning Environment Planning

    1. What to Expect in MODULE 2

    2. Chapter 4: Cognitive Development

    3. Journal Entry | Cognitive Development

    4. Test Your Knowledge | Cognitive Development

    5. Chapter 5: Major Development Theories

    6. Test Your Knowledge | Major Development Theories

    7. Chapter 6: Major Learning Theories

    8. Test Your Knowledge | Major Learning Theories

    1. What to Expect in Module 3

    2. Chapter 7: Physical Development

    3. Journal Entry | Physical Development

    4. Test Your Knowledge | Physical Development

    5. Chapter 8: Language & Literacy Skills

    6. Journal Entry | Language & Literacy Silks

    7. Test Your Knowledge | Language & Literacy Skills

    8. Chapter 9: Innovation & Creative Skills

    9. Journal Entry | Innovation & Creative Skills

    10. Test Your Knowledge | Innovation & Creative Skills

    1. What to Expect in Module 4

    2. Chapter 10: Social-Emotional Development

    3. Journal Entry | Social-Emotional Development

    4. Test Your Knowledge | Social-Emotional Development

    5. Chapter 11: Supportive Environment Planning

    6. Journal Entry | Supportive Environment Planning

    7. Test Your Knowledge | Supportive Environment Planning

    8. Chapter 12: Positive Guidance

    9. Journal Entry | Positive Guidance

    10. Test Your Knowledge | Positive Guidance

    1. What to Expect in Module 5

    2. Chapter 13: Home-School Communication

    3. Journal Entry | Home-School Communication

    4. Test Your Knowledge | Home-School Communication

    5. Chapter 14: Assisting Families

    6. Journal Entry | Assisting Families

    7. Test Your Knowledge | Assisting Families

    8. Chapter 15: Parent Involvement

    9. Journal Entry | Parent Involvement

    10. Test Your Knowledge | Parent Involvement

Child Development Associate (CDA) Training Course

  • $327.00
  • 8 Learning Modules
  • Professional Portfolio Guide

Meet your instructors

Instructor Jacinda Mitchell, B.S.

Jacinda has a true passion for the early childhood field. In addition to serving children and families in the Southern California region, she is committed to training early childhood professionals as a trainer and certified PD Specialist.

Instructor Emily Kirshenbaum, M.A.

Emily has over 20 years of experience in the early childhood field as a professional development trainer. She obtained her own Infant-Toddler CDA at the beginning of her career. She has a true passion for building up early educators as a certified PD Specialist.

Lead Instructor Joy Brown-Bolden, Ph.D.

Dr. Joy is the founder and Lead Instructor at ModernJoi Childhood Solutions. She has committed the last 17 years to serving the early childhood field as a professor, researcher, center manager, teacher and family advocate.

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What our students are saying...

  • "I felt that the entire training subject was easy to understand. My trainer made it simple to understand and clarified any information when [I] needed it." - Danesha | Dallas, TX

  • "I like Jacinda’s teaching she is very welcoming with questions. Even if they don't make sense or dumb, she doesn't make you feel like that. I feel very comfortable with her." - Julie | Los Angeles, CA

  • "The training has been great and lots of fun, the instructor Dr. Joy is very patient and she shows a genuine care for her trainees and future educators." - Jessica | Dallas, TX

  • "I enjoyed how Jacinda encouraged open discussion of the content. This allowed for the content to be better understood. I loved the hands on work, such as the meal planning assignment. I also appreciated the anti-bias section and discussing the issues that do occur in the classroom that I do not hear others discuss when it comes to early childhood learning." - Ashley | Los Angeles, CA

  • "I really enjoyed taking this training, and learned so much new information!" - Lisa | Dallas, TX

  • “I have enjoyed learning about all the different things like behaviors, having a supportive environment, etc. I enjoyed how each instructor thoroughly explains the lesson and have the [students] share their own opinions/responses to the questions being displayed. I like the way Emily is able to smoothly guide and help me understand the topic more.” - Katherine | Los Angeles, CA

  • "I have enjoyed all the important information that Emily has shared and being able to sign in online to review information." - Eleanor | Los Angeles, CA

  • "I have learned a lot from Dr. Bolden, that will help further my education in this career field along the way. Dr. Joy is well organized and patient! I have truly enjoyed [this] training and applaud her team for their hard work and dedication!!" - Linda | Dallas, TX

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When will I gain access to the course content?

    After you purchase the course, you will immediately gain access to your student dashboard. You will be able to access the CDA Training Course from your student dashboard.

  • How quickly can I complete this course?

    This course is 100% online and self-paced. Students can complete the course content in as little as 8 weeks or 2 months.

  • Does this course meet the 120-hour training requirement for all CDA pathways?

    Yes! This course will satisfy the 120-hour training requirement for the Center-Based Infant-Toddler, Center-Based Preschool, and Family Child Care CDA Credentials.

  • Can I take this course if I have no teaching experience?

    Yes. You can begin this course if you have no teaching experience. However, you must complete 480 hours of work experience in the appropriate setting before you submit your CDA application. In addition, you will need access to an early childhood setting to complete the requirements for the professional portfolio. Learn more at https://www.cdacouncil.org/en/educator-pathways/

  • Can I request a refund if I am not satisfied with the course?

    Yes! If you are not satisfied with the course content, you can request a full refund up to 10 days after your purchase.

  • How do I access the online community?

    All students will have access to our exclusive community in the online learning portal. You will be able to access the community in your student dashboard after logging into the learning portal.

  • What can I expect during a live support call?

    During your time in the course, you will have the opportunity to join eight 60 minute calls with a CDA course instructor. The goal of each call is to provide a space for students to ask questions and confirm their understanding of the course concepts. Each support call will focus on one of the 8 learning modules.

  • How long will I have access to the course?

    You will have lifetime access to the course content and online community. You will have access to the instructors and professional portfolio support for 12 months after your purchase.

More from our students...

  • “How we can confront challenging behavior was a topic that helped me a lot because this way we can get closer to the child and help him express his feelings. What caught my attention the most are the activities or putting into practice what we had learned.” - Cinthia | Los Angeles, CA

  • “I have been enjoying everything, and [I] have been using tips for my own children, and it has been helping me guide them. The ways they explain the material is on point.” - Abigail | Los Angeles, CA

  • "I really enjoyed this training, I learned so much." - Maria | Dallas, TX

  • “The way they explain each topic is so good that it is easy to understand.” - Christian | Los Angeles, CA

  • “I enjoyed how they explain everything if you have question's they are there.” - Susan | Los Angeles, CA

  • “I like that Dr. Joy explains one way or the other. She not only reads the slides but gives real life examples and re tells the subject for me to understand.” - Griset | Los Angeles, CA

  • “I enjoyed the talk about professionalism. How to manage burn out. It’s not talked about much in workplaces.” - Arlet | Los Angeles, CA

  • “Love this course recommend to everyone.” - Anai | Los Angeles, CA

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Still have questions?

Submit your email address, and a ModernJoi team member will contact you within 2 business days.

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