Shasta Spencer Awarded National Child Development Associate Credential

Shasta Spencer of Kristi’s Kiddie Korner has been awarded a national Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™ from the Council of Professional Recognition in Washington, DC in recognition of outstanding work with young children and families. The Council recognizes and credentials early childhood education professionals who demonstrate an understanding of how the Council’s nationally recognized CDA® Competency Standards can help teachers support young children’s early care and learning experiences.

“The CDA is the leading pathway for anyone seeking to enter the field of early childhood education because it builds baseline competence and supports a teacher’s professional growth,” says Dr. Calvin Moore, Jr., CEO of the Council. “The CDA prepares early educators to enter the classroom or home on day one with the knowledge and skills necessary to work with young children and their families.”

To obtain a CDA Credential, candidates must demonstrate through a comprehensive evaluation process their knowledge of the Council’s CDA Competency Standards and be observed working with young children and families. Only after the candidate successfully completes the CDA Professional Portfolio, observation by a CDA Professional Development Specialist™ and CDA exam at a local Pearson VUE testing center are they awarded the national Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™ - valid for three years.

Earning a CDA Credential from the Council for Professional Recognition verifies that early childhood education professionals have the ability to put the following CDA Competency Goals into practice:

1. Establishing and maintaining a healthy and safe learning environment for children

2. Advancing the physical and intellectual competence of young children

3. Supporting social and emotional development and providing positive guidance for children

4. Establishing positive and productive relationships with families

5. Ensuring a well-run, purposeful program that is responsive to participant needs

6. Maintaining a commitment to professionalism, early care and education

Nearly 1 million early childhood professionals make up the CDA community and they are having a positive effect on the quality of early childhood education by helping preschools, child care centers, family child care and home visitor programs hire qualified and competent professionals who ensure the best care for our nation’s youngest children and their families.

Shasta has been at Kristi’s Kiddie Korner for a year and a half. Starting as an Assistant Teacher, she was full of energy and passion and was quickly promoted to a Teacher position. She immediately began studying and earned her Montana Preschool Teacher Certification, Montana Infant & Toddler Teacher Certification giving her the required training to complete the CDA process. Shasta also has a BS in Psychology from California State University.

The Council for Professional Recognition promotes improved performance and recognition of professionals in the early childhood education of children ages birth to 5 years old. The Council recognizes and credentials professionals who work in all types of early care and education settings including Head Start, pre-k, infant-toddler, family childcare, and home visitor programs. As a nonprofit organization, the Council sets policies and procedures for assessment and credentialing. To date, nearly 1 million CDA credentials have been issued around the world. For more information, visit http://www.cdacouncil.org.