Can you earn a Child Development Associate (CDA) if you are not currently working?

Question

Can you just volunteer at a center-based setting?

Answer 1

Of course you can. you do not even have to volunteer. I am a home child care provider and am getting my CDA. You can go to a local community college or thru resource and referral. My classes are one sat a month and are about 5 hrs long. Its a great class. i have learned so much from it. we have people in our class who have never set foot into a child care center. Just being a volunteer is not going to get you your CDA, but it does not hurt you either.Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Answer 2

To get your CDA you have to take about 15 semester hours in Child Development courses, the courses wil vary by community college, but one thing to keep in mind is that although you don't have to work to get your CDA, you still have to find some way to pay for your tuition and books.