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Dear early childhood community,

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) understands the public health emergency has made it difficult for child development home caregivers, associate caregivers and assistant teachers to meet the December 2020 deadline for earning the required Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or an associate degree (or higher). In response to this, an emergency and proposed rulemaking extending the credential requirement deadline to Dec. 2, 2023, appeared in the DC Register on Friday, Dec. 11, 2020.

There will be an opportunity for public comment but the emergency regulations are effective immediately. Waivers are not required to benefit from this extension.

This means the education requirement deadline for child development home caregivers, associate caregivers and assistant teachers is now Dec. 2, 2023.

CDA Resources and Supports Reminder
For those currently pursuing a CDA or who plan to pursue one in the future, extensive supports remain available.
  • OSSE ECE resources webpage: Includes credential requirements, available supports and interactive portals specific to each child care facility position. Access the resources webpage here.
  • OSSE’s ECE Help Desk: Provides individualized support and addresses specific questions about the education requirements. ECE Help Desk support is available at ECEHelpDesk@dc.gov or (202) 478-5903.
  • 120 Hours of Training:  The required 120 hours of training is accessible at no cost through Quorum. Courses are available in both English and Spanish.
  • CDA-Quorum Guidebook: Available in English and Spanish to support early educators completing training via Quorum
  • OSSE’s CDA Training and Scholarship Programs: CentroNia and Southeast Children’s Fund are accepting registrations on a rolling basis for their virtual CDA programs. Please see the ECE Resources page or contact the ECE Help Desk for enrollment support.
  • CDA Tracker: Educators can track their progress towards earning the CDA through the CDA Tracker, available at dcpdis.org/CDA.  
PD Specialist Observations and Work Experience Hours
Completion of the CDA credential process requires a formal observation in a classroom and demonstration of a candidate having earned 480 work experience hours, and OSSE realizes current conditions make it difficult to meet these requirements.

Specifically, current physical distancing provisions in OSSE’s health and safety guidance for child care providers prohibits in-person observations as providers must, where feasible, restrict outside volunteers or visitors, and virtual observations are not currently allowable for CDA credential process purposes.

OSSE is actively working with the Council for Professional Recognition to develop supports and solutions for educators pursuing their CDA credential during the public health emergency and beyond, and will provide updates when more information is available.

We understand this has been a very challenging time for the entire early childhood workforce and the families you serve, and OSSE is committed to providing as much support as is possible.

If you have questions about the CDA deadline extension, other education requirements or resources available, please reach out to the ECE Help Desk at ECEHelpDesk@dc.gov or (202) 478-5903.

Thank you,
Sara Mead
Assistant Superintendent of Early Learning
Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) 

 
Copyright © 2020 Division of Early Learning, All rights reserved.


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