KS · Links to Quality
Kansas — CDA & ECE Workforce Credentials
Kansas recognizes CDA on the Kansas ECE Career Pathway; state pre-K programs require state teacher cert with EC endorsement.
Data current as of April 2026.
CDA acceptance & requirements
- Lead teacher requirements: Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) child care licensing accepts CDA. Kansas ECE Career Pathway recognizes CDA at a defined level.
- Assistant teacher requirements: Minimum age 18, HS diploma/GED, plus required orientation and ongoing PD.
- Director requirements: Kansas Director's Credential for ECE administrators.
- State-funded pre-K (Kansas Preschool Pilot, KPP, and Kansas State Pre-K Program): Operates through public schools and partners; lead teachers require state teacher cert with EC endorsement. CDA does not satisfy.
- QRIS: Links to Quality — Kansas' QRIS, launched 2022 to replace earlier framework. Higher tier expectations include CDA/AA mix.
- T.E.A.C.H. & apprenticeship: T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Kansas is administered through Child Care Aware of Kansas. ECE apprenticeship pathways emerging.
State-specific ECE workforce credentials
- Kansas ECE Career Pathway — Administered by Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities (KCCTO) at Kansas State University. Multi-tier framework.
- Kansas Director's Credential for ECE administrators.
- Kansas State Department of Education — Early Childhood Unified (B-Grade 3) license for public-school pre-K; BA + state EPP. CDA does not satisfy.
Notable state context
Kansas's 2022 launch of Links to Quality replaced an earlier QRIS framework, and workforce credentials are core to scoring. KCCTO at K-State is the central training and registry hub.