Birth–Five CDA Career Pathway™
A comprehensive 120-hour online professional education program focused on child development, responsive teaching, inclusive practices, and learning experiences from birth through age five.
Strengthen Your Expertise Across the Early Childhood Years
Develop foundational knowledge and practical skills to support children at different stages of development from birth to five.
Whole-Child Development
Understand physical, cognitive, language, and social-emotional development.
Responsive Teaching
Apply developmentally appropriate strategies across early childhood settings.
Inclusive Practices
Support individual differences, abilities, and diverse family backgrounds.
Professional Growth
Strengthen professional judgment, reflective practice, and credentialing readiness.
Explore the 120-Hour Birth–Five Curriculum
Professional education organized across the eight CDA subject areas, with short courses and meaningful learning applications.
1. Safe and Healthy Learning Environments
20 HRSHealth, safety, supervision, nutrition, emergency preparedness, and age-appropriate environments.
2. Physical and Intellectual Development
20 HRSPhysical development, language, literacy, early math, science, creativity, and play-based learning.
3. Social and Emotional Development
15 HRSEmotional development, secure relationships, positive guidance, self-regulation, and social skills.
4. Productive Relationships with Families
15 HRSFamily engagement, communication, cultural responsiveness, and collaborative partnerships.
5. Effective Program Operations
15 HRSDaily routines, classroom organization, documentation, policies, and continuous quality improvement.
6. Professionalism
10 HRSEthics, professional responsibilities, reflective practice, advocacy, and career development.
7. Observing and Recording Children’s Behavior
10 HRSObjective observation, developmental documentation, assessment, and individualized planning.
8. Principles of Child Development and Learning
15 HRSDevelopmental milestones, brain development, individual differences, inclusion, and learning theories.
Short, Focused Courses. Comprehensive Professional Preparation.
The Birth–Five pathway is designed for working early childhood professionals seeking flexible online education.
- Courses planned primarily in one- and two-hour increments
- Recommended study schedule: five instructional hours per day
- Maximum of 15 instructional hours credited per participant per day
- Interactive learning, classroom applications, and knowledge assessments
- Completion records organized by CDA subject area
Training activities include age-specific examples and strategies that reflect the developmental needs of children across the birth-to-five years.
Prepare for Your Next Steps Toward CDA Credentialing
EECC provides educational resources and preparation guidance for eligible enrolled participants.
Professional Portfolio Guidance
Resources for organizing professional materials, reflective statements, and documentation appropriate to the selected CDA setting.
CDA Exam Preparation
Review activities, practice questions, and preparation strategies to strengthen assessment readiness.
Verification Visit Readiness
Guidance for professional observation and reflective dialogue when a Verification Visit is required.
Preparation tools are reserved for eligible paid participants through their enrolled LearnDash learning pathway.
From Enrollment to Credential Readiness
Enroll
Select your Birth–Five preparation program and begin your assigned learning courses.
Complete Your Education
Complete lessons, learning activities, knowledge assessments, and documented hours.
Prepare for Credentialing
Review your training records and access preparation guidance for the appropriate CDA credential setting.
Expand Your Expertise Across the Early Childhood Years
Build your professional knowledge, strengthen developmentally appropriate practice, and prepare for your next steps in early childhood education.
Request Enrollment Information