The five necessary steps below that every CDA® candidate must follow in order to successfully prepare and complete the process of obtaining a CDA® credential. Child Development Permits are available at various levels.Each level has one or more ways to qualify. The CDA is based on a core set of competency standards that guide early childhood professionals toward becoming qualified educators of young children. The certificate is designed for preschool teachers, childcare workers, and other individuals looking to work in Early Childhood Education. This data dashboard provides an overview of the child care and early learning landscape at the national level and in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. See section titled, "Subsidized Early Care and. Education" for program specific enrollment priorities and procedures. Whether you are looking to take one child care training course online, complete a certificate program, or earn your CDA CCEI is here to help. The Early Learning and Care Division (ELCD) offers a wide range of training programs for child care providers.