NY · QualityStarsNY
New York — CDA & ECE Workforce Credentials
New York accepts CDA at the Group Teacher tier; UPK and 3K classrooms require NYSED Birth-Grade 2 cert (BA + EPP), narrowing CDA's role in public ECE.
Data current as of April 2026.
CDA acceptance & requirements
- Lead teacher requirements (licensed centers): New York Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) child care licensing accepts CDA. CDA satisfies Group Teacher qualifications (one of three lead-teacher tiers under NY regulations: Teacher Aide → Group Teacher → Teacher).
- Assistant teacher requirements: Minimum age 18, HS diploma/GED, plus required orientation and ongoing PD.
- Director requirements: Higher Aspire Registry placement + administrative coursework + experience.
- State-funded pre-K (UPK, 3K — NYC and statewide): Operates through public schools and grants; lead teachers require NYSED Birth-Grade 2 certification (BA + state EPP). CDA does not satisfy.
- QRIS: QualityStarsNY — New York's QRIS. Higher star (5) ratings expect bachelor's + state teacher cert.
- T.E.A.C.H. & apprenticeship: T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® New York is administered through partner organizations (CSEA Voice and others). ECE Registered Apprenticeships through CUNY/SUNY community colleges.
State-specific ECE workforce credentials
- New York Aspire Registry Career Ladder — Administered by Aspire (the NY ECE workforce registry). Recognizes CDA, AA, BA, and NYSED cert.
- NYSED — Early Childhood (Birth-Grade 2) certification for public-school pre-K and primary; BA + state EPP.
- NY OCFS Director Credential — for licensed-center directors.
Notable state context
New York's three-tier lead-teacher structure (Teacher Aide → Group Teacher → Teacher) creates explicit space for CDA at the Group Teacher tier in licensed care, while reserving the highest-tier Teacher (and all UPK/3K classrooms) for BA + cert holders. New York City's universal 3K and UPK initiatives operate primarily through DOE-certified teachers, narrowing CDA's role in public ECE.