The CDA Introduction Training course is the first step in your journey to receiving your Child Development Associate Certificate, awarded by "The Council for Professional Recognition". In this course, participants will obtain all the information needed to complete the CDA certification. In addition, all participants will be able to upload all the initial documentation to verify eligibility for our CDA training program.

REQUIREMENTS:
1. Be employed in a School Readiness or VPK contracted preschool or childcare program contracted site with the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County.
2. Updated DCF transcript showing completed DCF 45-Hours
3. Candidates must show proof of minimum education with a valid High School diploma or GED. Degrees earned outside of the US must be evaluated by a degree evaluation agency pre-approved by the Office of Educator Certification, determined to be equivalent to a US degree. A list of pre-approved agencies is included in this course. Participants with foreign diplomas must choose one of the recommended agencies, other agencies will not be accepted.
4. You must be 18 years or older.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO READ ALL THE INFORMATION IN THE SYLLABUS; THIS WILL HELP YOU SUCCEED IN OUR CDA PROGRAM

Portfolio Labs will be in person on Saturdays: January 17, January 31, February 14, February 28, March 14, and April 11.
Times vary
Location: Early Learning Coalition of Orange County
7700 Southland Blvd. suite #100
Orlando FL 32809

Once registered, participants will have access to the calendar with all scheduled portfolio labs.

The Subject Area courses are online and self-paced.

All participants must attend:
Virtual Information Session on Wednesday, January 7 from 7:00PM to 8:00 PM
-and-
CDA Orientation on January 10, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
The CDA program will officially start on Monday, January 12 and end on Wednesday June 3, 2026.


The course includes the cost of 120 hours of instruction required for CDA certification, books, and the professional portfolio course.


Payments submitted will only be refunded if cancellation is received 72 hours before the scheduled training occurs. Otherwise, tuition credit may be given for a same value course.

Childcare is unavailable, and children under 18 are not permitted during in-person trainings.