Birth to Five CDA Credential with Portfolio Review is an online course
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Understanding Your Child's Social and Emotional Development from Birth to Age 5
From birth to age five, children rapidly develop social and emotional skills—forming secure attachments, expressing basic emotions, and beginning to regulate feelings with caregiver support. Resp... Read more
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License: CC0/PUBLIC DOMAIN
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How to write your CDA portfolio
Want to know exactly how to write your CDA Portfolio? If you’re staring at the CDA Competency Statements and thinking “What do I even say?”—this guide walks you through it step-by-step usin... Read more
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License: CCBY
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Fun Ways to Teach First Aid
Make first aid training fun and memorable with interactive, classroom-ready activities. Great for building confidence, teamwork, and smart decision-making in a low-stress way.
#FirstAid #HealthAnd... Read more
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License: CCBY
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Cómo Abrir Una Guardería En Casa
¿Quieres iniciar una guardería en casa y no estás seguro(a) de cuáles son los pasos? Una lista de verificación paso a paso para ayudarte a abrir y organizar una guardería en casa. Desde la pr... Read more
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License: CCBY
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How To Start a Home Daycare
A step-by-step checklist to help you open and set up a home daycare (family child care) from licensing prep and home safety to policies, enrollment forms, and daily operations.
#HomeDaycare #Famil... Read more
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License: CCBY
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How to Start a Daycare With No Money
Starting a daycare with “no money” usually means lowering upfront costs by using funding options, donated resources, shared space, and phased purchasing. This guide walks you through realistic ... Read more
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License: CCBY
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CDA Portfolio Sample
Not sure what to write for your CDA portfolio? This free template breaks down each competency standard and provides example language you can model. Use it as a guide, then add your own classroom ex... Read more
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License: CCBY
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CDA Verification Visit
A clear guide to the CDA Verification Visit, including what happens before, during, and after the visit. Learn how to prepare your portfolio, set up your classroom (or virtual space), and confident... Read more
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CDA Council Process
Not sure what the Council requires after you complete your CDA coursework? We explain the exam-first timeline, how to schedule the CDA Exam, what happens during the Verification Visit, and what to ... Read more
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CDA Next Steps Tracker
Finished your CDA training or portfolio and not sure what comes next? This guide walks you through the next steps from confirming requirements and submitting your application to scheduling your exa... Read more
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How to Get Your CDA for Free
Find ways to earn your CDA at low or no cost using state scholarships, workforce funding , Head Start support, or employer reimbursement. Use the state-by-state links to locate programs that may co... Read more
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License: CCBY
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CDA Cost Checklist
This cost checklist breaks down the most common CDA expenses and helps you estimate what you’ll pay out of pocket—so you can target scholarships, workforce funding, or employer reimbursement.
... Read more
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License: CCBY
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Common Daycare Scenarios: What to Say & Do
A practical guide to responding to common daycare behavior concerns with positive discipline. Includes what to say, what to do in the moment, and follow-up teaching steps to support safety, consist... Read more
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License: CCBY
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Updated Checklist for Earning Your CDA Credential
The updated checklist for earning your CDA credential clearly outlines each step from completing required coursework and supervised experience to assembling your professional portfolio and referenc... Read more
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License: CC0/PUBLIC DOMAIN
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Birth to Five CDA Credential Professional Portfolio Guide
The Birth to Five CDA Credential Professional Portfolio Guide is a free, structured workbook designed to simplify the process of earning your CDA Credential. It walks early childhood educators thro... Read more
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License: CCBY
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Sample Emotional Skills Lesson Plan: “Feelings and Calming Choices” (All Ages)
The “Feelings and Calming Choices” Lesson Plan offers educators a structured approach to supporting emotional development in children from birth to five. Through interactive activities such as ... Read more
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License: CCBY
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Sample Social Skills Lesson Plan: “Let’s Be Friends!” (All Ages)
The “Let’s Be Friends!” Social Skills Lesson Plan equips educators with structured strategies to teach young children essential social-emotional skills such as sharing, turn-taking, and helpi... Read more
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Sample Self-Concept Lesson Plan (Birth to Five)
The Self-Concept Activity Lesson Plan Series provides developmentally appropriate strategies for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers to explore who they are and build self-awareness. With guided ac... Read more
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Sample Gross Motor Lesson Plan: “Animal Movement Parade”
This lesson plan supports gross motor development by encouraging children to hop, crawl, stomp, and slither like different animals. Educators are provided with clear procedures, adaptations for mul... Read more
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License: CCBY
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Sample Fine Motor Lesson Plan: “Button, Bead, and Build!”
This resource provides a variety of fine motor activities—stringing beads, building with blocks, and shaping Play-Doh—that help strengthen pincer grasp, dexterity, and hand–eye coordination. ... Read more
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License: CCBY
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Sample Science & Sensory Lesson Plan: “Sink or Float Discovery”
This science and sensory lesson introduces children to early STEM concepts through hands-on water play. Step-by-step procedures help educators guide predictions, observations, and reflections while... Read more
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License: CCBY
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Sample Language & Literacy Lesson Plan: “Storytime Sound Adventure”
This literacy-focused lesson supports vocabulary growth, comprehension, and phonological awareness through interactive storytelling. Educators are equipped with strategies for engaging children wit... Read more
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License: CCBY
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CDA Portfolio Binder Cover sheet & Tabs (Hexagon)
The Hexagon CDA Portfolio Binder Cover Sheet & Tabs offers a sleek, contemporary design to give your CDA Professional Portfolio a polished look. Each tab and divider page is clearly labeled for sec... Read more
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License: CCBY
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CDA Portfolio Binder Cover sheet & Tabs (Floral)
The Floral CDA Portfolio Binder Cover Sheet & Tabs offers a bright, professional design that makes CDA Professional Portfolios visually appealing and easy to navigate. Each divider page highlights ... Read more
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License: CCBY
