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OKAY, OK - A Cherokee Nation employee received an advanced credential in recognition of her outstanding work with young children.

Alice Osborn, a teacher at the Cherokee Nation Early Childhood Unit Head Start in Okay, received a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential from the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition in Washington D.C.

A CDA is a person who is able to meet the specific needs of children and who, with parents and other adults, work to nurture children's physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth in a child development framework.

"This credential takes at least 2 semesters plus wait time to receive", said Vivian Stearns, Lead teacher and Supervisor of the Cherokee Nation Head Start at Okay.

Candidates for a CDA are put through an assessment process. Every candidate 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 positive effect on the quality of childcare", said Verna Thompson, Director of the Early Childhood Unit for the Cherokee Nation. “Its impact is evident in center-based care as well as family childcare, which is the most common form to care for children under 5 years old."

Osborn has been employed with the Early Childhood Unit since 1998. She resides in Okay with her husband, Richard. They have two boys and two girls.