Western Oklahoma State College students Freda
Buckner and Rachel Johnson, recently earned the national Child
Development Associate (CDA) credential. Both Buckner and Johnson are
employed at Blair’s Little Learning Center. This achievement is the
culmination of a year-long period of study through Western’s child
development program and the CDA credentialing process. Buckner and
Johnson were able to work at Blair’s Little Learning Center
throughout their educational endeavor.
“At a time when there have been instances reported of substandard
child care, it should also be noted that there are many more
instances of child care providers that are taking extra steps to
offer high quality care that is loving, developmentally appropriate,
and inclusive of families,“ said Jacqueline Bellamy, child
development scholar coordinator at Western.
The CDA credential is a major national effort to improve early
childhood education and care by evaluating and recognizing the
skills of individuals providing care. As part of the CDA credential
assessment and process, every candidate is observed working with
young children and their families by an early childhood
professional.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the ability to work with
families to develop children’s physical and intellectual
capabilities in a safe and healthy learning environment. Each
candidate compiles a professional resource file and undergoes
written and oral testing.
For more information about the CDA credential process, Western’s
child development department and classes, other certificates and
degrees, or the Scholars for Excellence in Child Care (Scholars)
scholarship program, call Lynn Null at 477.7821 or Jacqueline
Bellamy at 477.7920.
