iCDA Course Preparation Series (Early Education Pathways)
From Early Education Pathways (Office of Head Start and Office of Child Care, ACF/HHS)
What you'll learn
Eight free, self paced courses of about 10 hours each cover the eight CDA subject areas and give you 80 of the 120 education hours the CDA requires, with exam prep questions, final assessments and portfolio building activities.
- Eight courses on CDA subject areas
- Exam prep questions and final assessments
- Portfolio building activities
- Reflection prompts and practice activities
Source: the provider's official page ↗
Is this right for you?
- Level
- Beginner People new to this. You can start today with no experience.
- What you get
- A certificate from a name employers know, ready to add to LinkedIn and your résumé the day you finish. It costs nothing to take.
- How you learn
- Online, self paced, about 80 hrs.
- How to use it
- Add it to LinkedIn under Licenses and certifications, post it with one thing you learned, and name the exact skills on your résumé. Then bring it up in interviews and show how you use AI to get more done.
- Why it's worth it
- Fast, practical proof that you are ahead on AI. It shows initiative, gives you skills you can use the same day, and hands you something concrete to talk about with every hiring manager.
- Time
- 80 hours: eight courses of 10 hours each (covers 80 of the 120 CDA education hours; extra free EEP courses can fill the remaining 40)
- Before you start
- Free Early Education Pathways (EEP) account. Aimed at early childhood professionals in child care or Head Start, but open to people exploring the field, including high school students.
- How you are tested
- Online, self paced
- Renewal
- None stated
- Full cost details
- $0 courses and certificates
- Where it applies
- United States; federal (Office of Head Start and Office of Child Care, ACF/HHS) platform open nationally. Some courses may meet CCDF pre service health and safety training; check with your state.
Sources and what we verified
Head Start iCDA page: eight 10 hour courses, 80 of 120 CDA hours, free ↗Child Care TA Center: EEP replaced iPD in July 2026; iCDA free; extra courses reach 120 hours at no cost ↗Head Start CEU article: certificates downloadable from EEP after successful completion, listing contact hours and IACET CEUs where eligible ↗What we verified: iPD Portfolio was renamed Early Education Pathways (EEP) in July 2026. Free status from Head Start and Child Care TA pages; certificates downloadable from EEP per Head Start CEU article. Whether the Council accepts these hours is implied (aligned to Council requirements) but not stated verbatim.
Fees and eligibility can change. Confirm current terms with the issuer before you pay.
Also listed for: AI for Child Care Workers