CDA classes are formal early childhood education coursework that counts toward the 120 required training hours for the CDA credential. These classes must address the 8 subject areas defined by the Child Development Associate framework — from child development and health to family engagement and professional practices.

Classes can be taken at a community college, a training center, through a Head Start program, or via online providers. The Council for Professional Recognition does not maintain an official approved-provider list, but your coursework must clearly map to the 8 CDA subject areas and provide a certificate of completion showing your name, course title, subject area, hours, and completion date.

Importantly, CDA classes are separate from your 480-hour professional experience requirement — that must be earned by working directly with children in a licensed early childhood setting and cannot be fulfilled through coursework alone.

Finding accredited CDA classes near you is straightforward with the right resources. Start with these approaches:

• Community College Locator: Search your state's community college system website for ECE (Early Childhood Education) course listings. Most offer in-person, hybrid, and fully online sections.
• State Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) Agency: Every state has a CCR&R network that maintains a registry of approved CDA training providers and upcoming class schedules. Find yours at childcareaware.org.
• Head Start / Early Head Start Programs: Contact your local Head Start grantee — many offer free CDA training classes to community childcare workers, not just their own staff.
• T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Scholarships: Available in 26+ states, T.E.A.C.H. scholarships cover tuition for CDA classes at approved colleges and training programs. Eligibility is income-based.
• NAEYC Affiliate Organizations: Local NAEYC chapters host training events that qualify as CDA class hours. Search the NAEYC chapter directory for events in your area.

For fully remote options with no commuting required, see our guide to early childhood education online programs.

Not all early childhood education courses qualify as CDA classes. Before enrolling, verify that the program:

• Explicitly lists which of the 8 CDA subject areas it covers in the course description or syllabus
• Provides a certificate of completion showing your name, course name, subject area, hours, and date — not just a grade report
• Is accredited or recognized by a professional body (IACET, NAEYC, regional accreditor) or is offered by an accredited college
• Counts clock hours correctly — 1 semester credit = approximately 10 clock hours for CDA purposes

If you're unsure whether a specific class qualifies, contact the Council for Professional Recognition directly before enrolling. See also our full guide to CDA requirements for eligibility details and our CDA training overview for complete program options.