CDA

Assembling Your CDA Portfolio

The CDA Professional Portfolio is a reflective experience that is required by candidates to obtain the CDA Credential. This portfolio is comprised of various items including materials from the CDA Competency Standards book, Reflective Statements of Competence, related Resource Collection items, and the candidate’s Professional Philosophy Statement. Below is a list of the items that must be included in your CDA Professional Portfolio and the order in which they should appear. Use this checklist and the video below to organize and assemble your CDA Professional Portfolio.

Assembling Your CDA Portfolio

A professional explains the process and gives some tips on assembling your CDA portfolio.

Supply List:

  • CDA Competency Standards book
  • Binder, file folder box, or online system
  • Tabbed dividers with labels
  • Page protectors (optional, if you do not use, you will need a 3-hole punch)

Portfolio Structure

The CDA Professional Portfolio should be assembled in the following order:

  1. My CDA Portfolio Cover Sheet

    Located in The Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program and CDA Competency Standards book

  2. TAB A
    1. Summary of My CDA Education Cover Sheet
      Located in The Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program and CDA Competency Standards book
    2. High School Diploma/GED Transcript
    3. Transcripts, training certificates, letters on official letterhead
  3. TAB B
    1. Family Questionnaire Summary Sheet
      Located in The Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program and CDA Competency Standards book
    2. Completed Family Questionnaires
      Located in The Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program and CDA Competency Standards book. Place in portfolio after families complete and return them to you.
  4. TAB C
    1. CDA Verification Visit Reflective Dialogue Worksheet
      Located in The Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program and CDA Competency Standards book
  5. TAB D
    1. Competency Statement I
    2. RC I-1: First aid & CPR certification
    3. RC I-2: Weekly menu
    4. RC I-3: Weekly plan with goals, plan for child with special needs
  6. TAB E
    1. Competency Statement II
    2. RC II-1: Science/Sensory Learning Activity
    3. RC II-2: Language and Literacy Learning Activity
    4. RC II-3: Creative Arts Learning Activity
    5. RC II-4: Fine Motor (indoor) Learning Activity
    6. RC II-5: Gross Motor (outdoor) Learning Activity
    7. RC II-6: Self Concept Learning Activity
    8. RC II-7: Emotional Skills/Regulation Learning Activity
    9. RC II-8: Social Skills Learning Activity
    10. RC II-9: Mathematics Learning Activity
  7. TAB F
    1. Competency Statement III
    2. RC III: Bibliography of 10 children’s books
  8. TAB G
    1. Competency Statement IV
    2. RC IV-1: Counseling agency
    3. RC IV-2: Translation services
    4. RC IV-3: Two agencies that provide resources and services to children with disabilities
    5. RC IV-4: Three websites/descriptions that help families understand how children develop and articles from each website
  9. TAB H
    1. Competency Statement V
    2. RC V: Three record keeping forms
  10. TAB I
    1. Competency Statement VI
    2. RC VI-1: Licensing contact information and licensing requirements for teachers, assistant teachers and directors’ qualifications and ratio and group size requirements
    3. RC VI-2: Three early childhood associations
    4. RC VI-3: Legal requirements regarding child abuse and mandated reporter guidelines and the contact information for the reporting agency
  11. TAB J
    1. Personal Philosophy Statement

More information on the specific requirements for each item in the CDA Professional Portfolio can be found in the references listed below:

The Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program and CDA Competency Standards: Infant-Toddler Edition. (2019). (pp.13-20). Washington, DC: Council for Professional Recognition.

The Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program and CDA Competency Standards: Preschool Edition. (2019). (pp.13-19). Washington, DC: Council for Professional Recognition.

The Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program and CDA Competency Standards: Family Child Care Edition. (2021). (pp.13-19). Washington, DC: Council for Professional Recognition.