Online Child Development Training

This Child Development Associate (CDA) and Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Associate Certification bundle is designed for childcare professionals aspiring to move into management or administration. The CDA course provides a strong foundation in early childhood education, covering child growth and development from birth through age five while aligning with CDA competencies and NAEYC standards. You will prepare for the CDA certification process through content review, assessment practice, portfolio preparation, and instructor feedback from a certified CDA Professional Development (PD) Specialist™ to be ready for the CDA Verification Visit.

In the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Associate Certification training portion of the course, you will be equipped with advanced skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook through hands-on lessons, quizzes, and video demonstrations. By course completion, you will be prepared to sit for the MO-100, MO-200, MO-300, MO-400, MO-101, and MO-201 exams. To earn the MOS Associate Certification, you must pass MO-100 (Word), MO-200 (Excel), and MO-300 (PowerPoint). Enrollment includes prepaid exam vouchers, which cover the certification exams upon eligibility. Please note that proctoring fees may apply and are not included.

Child Development Training FAQs

Does this course prepare you for a certification?
Yes. Child Development Associate – Center-Based for Infant and Toddler and/or Preschool. The education hours can be applied toward both certifications, but you will need to present a different portfolio and verification visit for each age group you choose to seek certification.

You will also be prepared for the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification exams for PowerPoint, Outlook, Word, and Excel. Upon successful completion of the MO-100, MO-200, and MO-300 exams, you will earn your MOS Associate Certification.

Please note that the course does not include the CDA exam voucher, but does include the MOS exam vouchers.

What is a Child Development Associate (CDA)?
The CDA is a nationally-recognized credential that demonstrates a childcare professional’s skills, competencies and knowledge. According to the Council for Professional Recognition, CDAs are able to “nurture the emotional, physical, intellectual, and social development of children..

Will I be provided with a certificate, transcript, or letter to verify my completed CDA education with the certifying body to obtain my CDA certification?
Yes. Upon completion of the course, you will have a certificate of completion to provide to the certifying body. In the Getting Started section of the course, under Program Information, in the Course Outline section, you can download a PDF that details the hours of instruction across the eight (8) CDA subject areas that can be provided to the certifying body alongside your certificate of completion and/or included in your professional portfolio.

Course Instructors

Kerri Welch has over 20 years of extensive experience in the field of Early Childhood Education, more specifically with the CDA credential as an Instructor, Field Supervisor at Dutchess Community College, in NY, as a PD Specialist for the CDA Council, and currently teaching Child Development classes at Houston Community College. She has successfully trained a diverse population of students by helping them advance in their careers in early childhood development through implementing a child-centered, developmentally appropriate curriculum that uses positive guidance techniques. She has a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education with a focus on Students with Disabilities, a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, and an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education.

Kerri is on the advisory board of Informed Green Solutions, a national non-profit that has pioneered environmental education on green cleaning products for early childhood programs. She is extremely passionate about children's health, nutrition, and safety, especially as it relates to children with special needs.

Tracy Berry has been a senior graphic designer/programmer, instructor, and consultant since 1993 and has developed hundreds of logos, marketing materials, websites, and multimedia solutions for customers worldwide. She was also involved in several large corporate software rollouts. She has helped many organizations optimize and streamline data solutions. She teaches both onsite and online courses and has her CTT (Certified Technical Trainer) certification. Tracy specializes in teaching graphics, desktop publishing, web design, and reporting/productivity applications.

Child Development Professional - Employment and Education

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts 8% growth for Childcare Workers between now and 2030, similar to the expected growth rates for all jobs. The BLS expects demand for early childhood education to remain strong due to its influence on a child’s intellectual and emotional development.
• According to PayScale.com, childcare professionals with CDA certification earn $35,000 per year, on average. The site also notes that 80% of CDA’s report that they are “very happy” with their profession.
• Microsoft found that entry-level professionals who hold a Microsoft Office certification can earn “as much as $16,000 more in annual salary than uncertified peers.”