Cheat sheet
CDA Cheat Sheet
Safe Environment
- Not published of exam
- Safety Supervision CPR Hazards Emergency Plans
Healthy Environment
- Not published of exam
- Handwashing Nutrition Sanitation Illness Rest
Learning Development
- Not published of exam
- Physical Cognitive Communication Creative DAP
Social Emotional
- Not published of exam
- Self Concept Guidance Relationships Behavior Inclusion
Families + Program
- Not published of exam
- Families Observation Program Management Resources Culture
Professionalism
- Not published of exam
- Ethics Portfolio Reflective Dialogue Confidentiality Growth
Quick Facts
- Credential CDA
- Exam 65 questions
- Scenario 5 questions
- Time 105 min
- Visit Only if required
- Education 120 hours
- Experience 480 hours
- Renewal 3 years
Safety First SA
- Scan, remove, document
- Supervise Remove hazard Report facts
Safety Picker SA
- Immediate danger → Remove hazard
- Child injured → First aid
- Serious injury → Call emergency
- Chemical accessible → Lock away
- Missing child → Follow plan
- Incident occurs → Document facts
Safety Basics SA
- Active supervision Watch and scan
- Ratio Adult-child count
- Hazards Remove immediately
- Chemicals Locked storage
- Medication Locked labeled
- Evacuation Practice route
- Incident report Document facts
Sanitize vs Disinfect HE
Sanitize
- Reduce germs
- Food surfaces
- Routine use
Disinfect
- Kill pathogens
- Body fluids
- Stronger product
- Reduce vs kill
Health Basics HE
- Handwashing 20 seconds
- Gloves Body fluids
- Sanitize Reduce germs
- Disinfect Kill pathogens
- Exclusion Illness policy
- Nutrition Balanced meals
- Rest Individual needs
DAP LE
- Age, individual, culture
- Age Individual Culture
Adaptation vs Modification LE
Adaptation
- Access support
- Same goal
- Environmental change
Modification
- Changed goal
- Different expectation
- Individualized
- Access vs goal
Development Picker LE
- Large movement → Gross motor
- Finger skills → Fine motor
- Problem solving → Cognitive
- Words/sounds → Language
- Pretend art → Creative
- Peer play → Social
Learning Environment LE
- DAP Age appropriate
- Centers Choice areas
- Routines Predictable day
- Transitions Plan movement
- Materials Accessible choices
- Scaffolding Support next step
- Play Primary learning
Development LE
- Physical Body skills
- Fine motor Small muscles
- Gross motor Large muscles
- Cognitive Thinking skills
- Language Communication skills
- Creative Expression
- Observation Track growth
Guidance Flow SO
- Calm voice, clear choice, redirect
- Calm Name feeling Offer choice Redirect
Guidance vs Punishment SO
Guidance
- Teaches skills
- Respectful tone
- Future behavior
Punishment
- Controls behavior
- Fear/shame risk
- Short term
- Teach vs control
Guidance Picker SO
- Minor conflict → Coach words
- Unsafe behavior → Stop calmly
- Repeated behavior → Observe pattern
- Frustrated toddler → Offer choices
- Off-task child → Redirect
- Strong emotion → Name feelings
Guidance SO
- Positive guidance Teach behavior
- Redirection Shift activity
- Modeling Show behavior
- Choices Support control
- Natural consequence Related result
- Self-regulation Manage emotions
- Conflict Coach words
Objective vs Subjective FA
Objective
- Observed facts
- Exact words
- Measurable
Subjective
- Opinion
- Assumption
- Judgment
- Fact vs opinion
Families FA
- Partnership Shared goals
- Culture Respect practices
- Communication Two-way exchange
- Resources Community supports
- Confidentiality Protect information
- Home language Honor identity
- Family input Guide planning
Family vs Professional FA
Family
- Child expert
- Home culture
- Daily insight
Professional
- ECE practice
- Confidential records
- Mandated duties
- Partner roles
Observation FA
- Anecdotal Brief narrative
- Checklist Skill list
- Running record Detailed sequence
- Objective Facts only
- Subjective Opinion
- Assessment Inform planning
- Documentation Evidence collection
Program Management FA
- Schedule Balanced day
- Policy Program rules
- Records Current files
- Environment Organized space
- Inclusion All participate
- Adaptation Change support
- Quality Continuous improvement
CDA Process PR
- Portfolio, exam, visit if needed, decision
- Portfolio Exam Visit if needed Council decision
Portfolio vs Visit PR
Portfolio
- Written evidence
- Resource collection
- Prepared before
Visit
- Observation
- Dialogue
- PD Specialist
- Evidence vs observation
Portfolio Picker PR
- Training proof → Education record
- Work proof → Experience record
- Family feedback → Questionnaires
- Practice beliefs → Philosophy statement
- Competency evidence → Resource collection
- Visit prep → Review portfolio
Portfolio PR
- Philosophy Practice beliefs
- Resource collection Required evidence
- Family questionnaires Feedback evidence
- Competency statements Written reflections
- Transcripts Training proof
- Experience hours 480 proof
- Education hours 120 proof
Assessment Process PR
- CDA Exam 65 questions
- Scenario items Photo narratives
- Ready notice Schedule exam
- Verification Visit Observed practice
- PD Specialist Council observer
- Reflective dialogue Discuss practice
- Credential decision Council review
Common Traps
Observation wording
- Facts only ≠ Avoid labels
Family respect
- Partner with families ≠ Do not judge culture
Safety response
- Remove hazard first ≠ Document after safety
Guidance goal
- Teach self-control ≠ Avoid shame
Confidentiality
- Share need-to-know ≠ Protect child records
Exam process
- Exam first, visit if needed ≠ Council decides credential
Last Minute
- 1. Exam: 65 questions, 105 min
- 2. Five scenario questions
- 3. Exam first, visit if needed
- 4. Portfolio uploaded with application
- 5. Observe facts, not opinions
- 6. DAP = age, child, culture
- 7. Guidance teaches behavior
- 8. Safety first, paperwork second
- 9. Families are partners
- 10. Confidentiality protects records