Child Development Associate (CDA) - Family Child Care — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Reading the same picture book repeatedly with a toddler primarily supports which area of development?

Toilet training
Gross motor coordination
Depth perception
Early literacy and language (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Early literacy and language

Repeated shared reading builds vocabulary, print awareness, and early literacy skills.

Question 2: What is a required component of most state family child care licensing regulations?

A minimum of ten employees
A commercial kitchen license for all providers
A swimming pool on site
Maintaining approved adult-to-child ratios (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Maintaining approved adult-to-child ratios

Licensing rules set maximum numbers of children per caregiver to ensure adequate supervision.

Question 3: Which document should an FCC provider give to every newly enrolled family before care begins?

The provider's homeowner's insurance policy
A copy of the provider's personal tax return
A list of other enrolled families' contact information
A parent handbook outlining all policies and procedures (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A parent handbook outlining all policies and procedures

A parent handbook communicates all program policies before enrollment, ensuring informed consent and mutual understanding of expectations.

Question 4: Providing a low shelf where children can independently choose and return toys primarily supports which developmental goal?

Independence and self-help skills (Correct answer)
Physical strength only
Fine motor grasp only
Language comprehension only

Correct answer: Independence and self-help skills

Accessible materials let children make choices and practice independence and responsibility.

Question 5: A family child care provider receives a child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) from the local school district. The provider's role is to:

Decline services because the IEP is a school district responsibility
File the IEP without reading it, as it only applies to school settings
Rewrite the IEP goals to fit the child care setting
Review the IEP goals and implement relevant strategies within the home-based program (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Review the IEP goals and implement relevant strategies within the home-based program

Family child care providers should review IEP goals and embed related strategies into daily routines to support the child's progress consistently.

Question 6: The Time-Space Percentage is used by FCC providers primarily to calculate:

The provider's staff-to-child ratio compliance
The percentage of children with special needs
The ratio of indoor to outdoor play time
The deductible portion of home expenses for taxes (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The deductible portion of home expenses for taxes

The Time-Space Percentage determines what share of home expenses—such as mortgage, utilities, and repairs—can be deducted as business costs on the provider's taxes.

Question 7: What is the primary purpose of a written contract between an FCC provider and a family?

To satisfy federal tax requirements automatically
To replace the need for a state license
To serve as the child's enrollment record at school
To outline fees, hours, and policies to protect both parties (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To outline fees, hours, and policies to protect both parties

A written contract clearly establishes fees, hours, and policies so both the provider and family have shared expectations and legal protection.

Question 8: A toddler repeatedly says 'no' and wants to do things independently. Which developmental stage explains this?

Autonomy versus shame and doubt (Correct answer)
Integrity versus despair
Industry versus inferiority
Intimacy versus isolation

Correct answer: Autonomy versus shame and doubt

Toddlers assert independence during Erikson's autonomy versus shame and doubt stage.

Question 9: In an FCC home, what is the primary reason for maintaining a current, complete emergency contact list for each child?

To ensure a parent or authorized adult can be reached quickly during an illness or injury (Correct answer)
To satisfy the child's curiosity about family
To share with other enrolled families
To reduce paperwork at pickup time

Correct answer: To ensure a parent or authorized adult can be reached quickly during an illness or injury

Emergency contacts allow the provider to reach an authorized adult immediately when a child is sick or hurt.

Question 10: What role does observation play in child care?

It’s not necessary unless problems arise.
It should be avoided during play.
Only used for discipline issues.
It helps tailor care and identify developmental milestones (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It helps tailor care and identify developmental milestones

Observation is a critical tool in child care, allowing providers to understand each child's individual needs, interests, and developmental progress. By carefully watching children, providers can tailor activities, identify developmental milestones or potential delays, and adjust their care strategies to best support each child's learning and growth. It informs responsive and individualized care.

Question 11: Which federally funded program provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities, supporting family child care providers who enroll those children?

Title I
Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)
IDEA Part C (Correct answer)
Head Start

Correct answer: IDEA Part C

IDEA Part C (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part C) funds early intervention services for eligible children from birth through age 2.

Question 12: Which approach best supports dual-language learners in an FCC home?

Welcoming the home language, using visual cues, and building on prior knowledge (Correct answer)
Avoiding books or songs in the child's home language
Delaying enrollment until the child speaks conversational English
Requiring children to speak only English at all times in the program

Correct answer: Welcoming the home language, using visual cues, and building on prior knowledge

Honoring the home language, providing visual supports, and connecting to children's prior experiences create an inclusive environment that accelerates second-language acquisition.

Question 13: Which practice best supports an FCC provider's professional image in the community?

Operating without a website or any public information
Keeping all certifications and training records private
Joining a local or national child care association and engaging in advocacy (Correct answer)
Avoiding parent communication to maintain provider authority

Correct answer: Joining a local or national child care association and engaging in advocacy

Participating in professional associations and advocacy raises the provider's profile, builds community credibility, and contributes to the field.

Question 14: In a family child care home, what is the most important reason to maintain a current written emergency plan?

To satisfy the tax accountant
To guide safe response during fires, weather events, or medical emergencies (Correct answer)
To reduce grocery costs
To increase enrollment numbers

Correct answer: To guide safe response during fires, weather events, or medical emergencies

An emergency plan ensures caregivers and children respond quickly and safely to fires, severe weather, or medical crises.

Question 15: Which of the following is a key sign that a child may have a communicable illness requiring exclusion?

A single sneeze
Diarrhea that cannot be contained in the toilet or diaper (Correct answer)
Being tired after nap
A small scraped knee

Correct answer: Diarrhea that cannot be contained in the toilet or diaper

Uncontained diarrhea is a common exclusion criterion because it easily spreads infection to others.

Question 16: Daily written or verbal communication logs shared with parents serve primarily to:

Replace the need for a parent handbook
Document provider liability in case of complaints
Inform families about their child's activities, milestones, eating, and mood during the day (Correct answer)
Provide proof that the provider worked the required hours

Correct answer: Inform families about their child's activities, milestones, eating, and mood during the day

Daily communication logs keep families connected to their child's experiences, building trust and enabling continuity between home and care settings.

Question 17: What are age-appropriate activities for infants (0-12 months) in child care?

Tummy time, sensory play, reading aloud, singing, face-to-face interaction, and safe exploration of objects (Correct answer)
No activities until they can walk
Structured academic lessons
Only watching educational videos

Correct answer: Tummy time, sensory play, reading aloud, singing, face-to-face interaction, and safe exploration of objects

Infant activities focus on sensory exploration, tummy time for motor development, responsive caregiver interactions, reading and singing, grasping and manipulating safe objects, and establishing secure attachment.

Question 18: According to Erikson, an infant who is consistently fed, comforted, and cared for is likely to develop which of the following?

Trust (Correct answer)
Role confusion
Inferiority
Guilt

Correct answer: Trust

Erikson's first stage, trust versus mistrust, is resolved positively through consistent, responsive care.

Question 19: Which statement about grief and loss is most important for an FCC provider to understand when supporting a child whose parent has recently died?

Children under five do not understand death and therefore do not experience grief
The provider's role is to keep the child distracted at all times to prevent sadness
Young children grieve differently than adults and need consistent routines, simple honest language, and extra emotional support (Correct answer)
Grief is best handled exclusively at home and the provider should not address it during care

Correct answer: Young children grieve differently than adults and need consistent routines, simple honest language, and extra emotional support

Young children experience grief in ways unique to their developmental stage; they benefit most from stable routines, age-appropriate honesty, and responsive emotional support from caregivers.

Question 20: Which is the best example of supporting emotional development in a toddler who is having a tantrum?

Offering candy to end the tantrum quickly
Telling the child to stop being a baby
Sending the child away and ignoring them completely
Calmly acknowledging the feeling and helping name the emotion (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Calmly acknowledging the feeling and helping name the emotion

Naming and validating feelings helps toddlers build emotional regulation and vocabulary.

Question 21: To prevent choking in children under four, FCC providers should avoid serving:

Soft bread torn into small pieces
Whole grapes, hot dogs, raw carrots, and large chunks of hard foods (Correct answer)
Mashed sweet potatoes, soft banana slices, and yogurt
Well-cooked pasta cut into small pieces

Correct answer: Whole grapes, hot dogs, raw carrots, and large chunks of hard foods

Round, firm, or large foods like whole grapes and raw carrots are leading choking hazards for toddlers because they can fully occlude a small airway.

Question 22: What is the primary purpose of a home visit by an FCC provider to a newly enrolled child's family?

To inspect the family's home for hazards that could affect the child at the FCC home
To deliver the enrollment contract and collect the first payment
To assess whether the family qualifies for a subsidy program
To build rapport, gather information about the child's routines, and ease the transition to care (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To build rapport, gather information about the child's routines, and ease the transition to care

A pre-enrollment home visit focuses on relationship-building, learning the child's individual needs and home routines, and reducing separation anxiety during the transition.

Question 23: A 3-year-old can typically be expected to do which gross motor task?

Do a cartwheel
Jump with both feet and climb stairs alternating feet (Correct answer)
Skip rope proficiently
Ride a two-wheel bike without training wheels

Correct answer: Jump with both feet and climb stairs alternating feet

Around age 3, children commonly jump with both feet and climb stairs using alternating feet.

Question 24: What is the most appropriate way to support language development during diapering of an infant?

Talk and narrate what you are doing in a warm voice (Correct answer)
Rush the routine to save time
Stay silent to avoid overstimulation
Play loud music instead

Correct answer: Talk and narrate what you are doing in a warm voice

Narrating routines exposes infants to language and builds vocabulary and connection.

Question 25: A professional development plan for an FCC provider should include:

Training completed exclusively online to save time
Identified training goals aligned with improving child outcomes (Correct answer)
Only the minimum hours required by the state license
Goals chosen solely by the licensing agency

Correct answer: Identified training goals aligned with improving child outcomes

An effective professional development plan sets intentional training goals tied to improving quality care and child outcomes, beyond just meeting minimum requirements.

Question 26: A provider notices that a parent seems overwhelmed and stressed at pick-up. The best response is to:

Briefly share a positive moment from the child's day and offer a listening ear if needed (Correct answer)
Avoid speaking to the parent so as not to add to their stress
Launch into a detailed report of all behavioral incidents from the day
Ask the parent to schedule a formal meeting before receiving any information

Correct answer: Briefly share a positive moment from the child's day and offer a listening ear if needed

Sharing a positive moment is supportive, signals care for the whole family, and creates a welcoming end-of-day connection without overwhelming an already stressed parent.

Question 27: Which scenario demonstrates responsive, relationship-based caregiving for an infant in an FCC home?

Responding promptly to the infant's cries, making eye contact, and talking during feeding and diapering (Correct answer)
Placing infants on a strict schedule regardless of hunger or sleep cues
Minimizing physical contact to encourage the infant's independence
Allowing infants to self-soothe for extended periods without provider interaction

Correct answer: Responding promptly to the infant's cries, making eye contact, and talking during feeding and diapering

Prompt, warm, and communicative responses to infant cues build secure attachment and support healthy brain development.

Question 28: A provider's annual self-evaluation of their FCC program should focus on:

Comparing enrollment numbers only to the previous year
Identifying areas for quality improvement in environment, curriculum, and family engagement (Correct answer)
Calculating profit margins without considering program quality
Reviewing only safety inspection checklists

Correct answer: Identifying areas for quality improvement in environment, curriculum, and family engagement

A meaningful self-evaluation examines all dimensions of quality—environment, curriculum, relationships, and family partnerships—to guide continuous improvement.

Question 29: Which community resource is most directly relevant for an FCC provider to know when a child shows developmental delays?

The nearest urgent care clinic for physical injuries
The county health department's immunization schedule only
Early Intervention (Part C of IDEA) services for children birth to age three (Correct answer)
The local public library's general reading program

Correct answer: Early Intervention (Part C of IDEA) services for children birth to age three

Early Intervention, authorized under IDEA Part C, provides free evaluations and services for children birth to three with developmental delays or disabilities.

Question 30: How often should a family child care provider practice fire evacuation drills with children?

Once every few years
Never, to avoid scaring children
Only during summer
Regularly, such as monthly, per licensing requirements (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Regularly, such as monthly, per licensing requirements

Frequent fire drills ensure children and providers can evacuate quickly and calmly during a real emergency.

Child Development Associate (CDA) - Family Child Care

The CDA Family Child Care credential validates a home-based provider's competency across six core areas: safe/healthy learning environments, child development, social-emotional growth, family engagement, program management, and professionalism.

Questions

35 min

Time Limit

70%

To Pass

Checking for saved progress...

Exam Rules

You can skip questions and return to them later
Flag questions for review before submitting
No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
Timer auto-submits when time runs out
Your progress is auto-saved every 30 seconds