DOUBLE TAP TO ZOOM WITH PHONE OR TABLET appropriate Competency Standards book from the Council for Professional Recognition. You will specify one of these settings when ordering. Ordering can be done by calling 1-800-424-4310 or by going online at www.cdacouncil.org. The CDA candidate is assessed on the basis of six national CDA Competency Standards. The six standards are the criteria used to evaluate a caregiver’s performance with children and families. These same six standards are used for all of the settings. These are the six CDA Competency Standards: I. To establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment II. To advance physical and intellectual competence III. To support social and emotional development and to provide positive guidance VI. To establish positive and productive relationships with families V. To ensure a well-run, purposeful program respon- sive to participant needs VI. To maintain a commitment to professionalism (Council for Professional Recognition 2006, 2013) The six Competency Standards are defined in greater detail by thirteen Functional Areas. These Functional Areas describe more specifically the functions that a caregiver must perform to meet the criteria of each Competency Standard. These functions will vary according to a candidate’s particular child care setting and the age groupings of the children. Within six months of your application, you will distribute and collect Family Questionnaires. You will also assemble your Professional Portfolio, including the Resource Collection, six Competency Statements, and your Professional Philosophy Statement. As a candidate, you will prepare a Professional Portfolio. The portfolio will include various pieces of documentation, a Resource Collection, six Competency Statements (based on the CDA Competency Standards), and a Professional Philosophy Statement. Specific instructions for assembling and preparing this portfolio are included in chapter 4 for a preschool setting, chapter 5 for an infant/toddler setting, and chapter 6 for a family child care setting. Also prior to applying for a CDA, you will need to locate a PD Specialist. This is a person who has been trained and certified by the Council to conduct CDA verification visits. Read more about the PD Specialist later in this chapter. Facts about the Child Development Associate (CDA) MATERIAL and Process COPYRIGHTED Credential 11