National Park College (NPC) CCAWCA was awarded the Child Development Associate (CDA)
Gold Standard following a quality review of their training and student services by
the Council for Professional Recognition.The CDA Gold Standard is part of the Council’s early childhood education effort to
help CDA students find high-quality training and student services they need in preparation
for the CDA exam and a career as an early childhood educator.
Program director, Terri Helms said, “We are extremely honored to be the first organization
in Arkansas to receive the CDA Gold Standard. We feel that this will help us raise
professionalism and workforce standards in the early childhood field.”
Earning the CDA Gold Standard is recognition that CCAWCA successfully demonstrated
that its early childhood education training is based on the Council’s three industry-leading
principles that include alignment with the CDA formal education coursework found in
the CDA’s Eight Subject Areas, sound business policies and practices, and quality
student services that meet their educational and professional needs.
“We believe that the Council’s CDA Gold Standard award adds value and integrity to
the early childhood profession by verifying connections between the Council’s proven
teacher competencies and the quality of training resources available to CDA students,”
said Valora Washington, chief executive officer for the Council for Professional Recognition.
In addition to offering high-quality training, CDA Gold Standard applicants must provide
evidence that they serve the CDA student community with excellence, which includes
professional development that prepares students for successful completion of their
training program.
“It’s exciting to think about the many young children, families, and communities that will benefit from the high-quality education and training students will receive from a CDA Gold Standard organization like CCAWCA,” Washington added.
CCAWCA is dedicated to establishing strong partnerships with families, child care providers and the community, advocating for children and providing information, education, guidance and support.
