DAPHNE, Ala. — Tijuana Rencher of the nationally accredited Loving Care Children’s Center located in Belforest, has been awarded a Child Development Associate credential in recognition of outstanding work with young children. The credential was awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, D.C., which represents the early childhood education profession.

CDA is the only major national effort to improve early childhood education and care by evaluating and recognizing the skills of individuals providing care. The first credential was awarded over 30 years ago, and now 49 states plus the District of Columbia include CDA in their childcare licensing regulations.

Parents who use early education and care are especially concerned today about their children’s welfare, said a Loving Care spokesperson. With this in mind, as part of the CDA assessment process, every candidate for the CDA credential is observed working with young children or 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

The CDA credential is having a postive effect on the quality of early childhood education and care: Its impact is evident in center-based and home-visitor programs as well as family child care, the most common form of care for children under 5 years old, the spokesperson said.