Early Childhood Education Career Training Program

It is a professional development opportunity for early educators working with children from birth to 5 years old and their families. To earn the Credential you must demonstrate your knowledge, skills, and abilities in the early childhood education field. The CDA credential is the only national credential in the early childhood education (ECE) field.

The Council for Professional Recognition awards the Child Development Associate® (CDA) credential.

The CDA credential is a stepping stone to a career as an early childhood educator. Earning a CDA credential:

• Opens up opportunities for career growth and advancement, including higher pay.
• Allows you to work anywhere in the U.S. (CDA credential is nationally recognized).
• Makes you Early Education & Care (EEC) infant/toddler or preschool Teacher Certified in Massachusetts.
• Can earn you credit at some colleges (e.g. Fisher College awards college credit through Prior Learning Assessments).

Early childhood educators are required to have their CDA Credential to work in federally funded EEC programs like Head Start. Many programs participating in the Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP) also require educators to have their CDA.

The program is free. All fees and materials required to participate in the program are provided at no cost. This includes:

• Enrollment in online course and the course materials
• Paid time for doing internship and CDA prep class
• Pediatric First Aid and CPR/AED training
• Access to a Chromebook
• CDA application fee

No. If you have children, you need to arrange childcare when you are working (Monday to Friday mornings from November to mid-June).

The Cambridge Office of Early Childhood can help you find childcare resources.

No, because you are already EEC teacher qualified.

If you are interested in advancing your career as an early childhood educator, the Cambridge Office of Early Childhood (OEC) offers many professional development and academic opportunities for professionals in the field.

You can contact Emily Callejas, the Workforce Development Manager at the COEC, for more information on career development opportunities for people who are already working in the field of early childhood.

Emily’s contact information: ecallejas@cpsd.us or 617-349-9785.

No. As an ECE intern, you are a temporary part-time employee of the City of Cambridge. You have no earned time, sick time or insurance. You are allowed to work up to 19.5 hours each week - 17 hours as an intern and 2.5 paid class time. You will be paid $18 per hour.

You will work 4 or 5 mornings a week at a licensed early childhood program in Cambridge. Your shift will either be 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. or 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Your schedule will be determined by the center where you work. Each center has its own schedule.

Please note: Your schedule will not be the same as the Cambridge Public Schools.