Episodes

  • CDA Exam Prep 2, Choosing Your Setting — Infant-Toddler, Preschool, FCC, or Home Visitor

    CDA Exam Prep 2, Choosing Your Setting — Infant-Toddler, Preschool, FCC, or Home Visitor
    Apr 29 2026
    This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The four distinct CDA settings are Infant-Toddler, Preschool, Family Child Care, and Home Visitor, each with specific age and location requirements. - Your choice of setting must be based on where you have already completed 480 hours of professional experience within the last three years. - You cannot combine work hours from different settings to meet the 480-hour requirement; it must all be from a single setting. - Your chosen setting dictates the specific, age-appropriate requirements for your Professional Portfolio and your Verification Visit observation. - A key mental shortcut is "Your Past is Your Path"—your documented work experience is the only factor that determines your correct CDA setting. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
    Show More Show Less
    2 mins
  • CDA Exam Prep 1, What the CDA Is and Who Issues It

    CDA Exam Prep 1, What the CDA Is and Who Issues It
    Apr 25 2026

    This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The Child Development Associate (CDA) is the most widely recognized national credential in early childhood education. - The CDA is issued exclusively by the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C. - A common exam trap is confusing the CDA, a competency-based credential, with an academic college degree. - Employers value the CDA because it demonstrates proven, hands-on skills in working with young children. - Many state QRIS systems and Head Start programs require teaching staff to hold a CDA credential. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep
    Show More Show Less
    3 mins