The Council for Professional Recognition, a national association that supports professional development in early education and care, awards Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials to individuals who successfully complete the CDA assessment process. Child Development Associates (CDAs) are trained to meet the specific needs of children and work with parents and other adults to nurture children's physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth in a child development framework. The Department of Early Education & Care (EEC) accepts a CDA as equivalent to 12 credits - which, with 27 months of work experience, qualifies an applicant as a Lead Teacher.