How to Maximize Your Career Growth with NICCM’s CDA Fast Track and National Administrator Credential Bundles

In today’s early childhood education field, growth opportunities are tied directly to your qualifications. Whether you want to work in a classroom, open a center, or lead a team, obtaining the right childcare certification can make the difference between staying stagnant and moving forward with confidence.

However, finding the time, money, and support to complete those certifications can be challenging, especially for professionals juggling busy schedules. That’s why NICCM offers bundled programs designed to help educators meet multiple career goals at once. By combining the CDA Fast Track and the National Administrator Credential (NAC) into a strategic package, NICCM helps educators fast-track their advancement without cutting corners.

In this guide, we’ll look at how bundled credentials can support smarter career growth, why pairing the CDA and NAC is a powerful strategy, and how NICCM’s approach helps you save time, reduce costs, and meet state-specific requirements like the Texas Director Credential and Florida Overview of Child Care Management Course.

Why Certifications Matter in Early Childhood Careers

The early childhood field is regulated for a reason, because working with young children requires more than enthusiasm. It requires compliance with health and safety standards, awareness of developmental milestones, and skills in leadership, budgeting, and staff support.

That’s where formal training and credentials come in. The two most career-defining certifications for early childhood professionals are:

• Child Development Associate (CDA):A nationally recognized credentialfor those working directly with children in classroom or childcare settings.

• National Administrator Credential(NAC):A leadership-level certification used to meet director qualification standards in multiple states.

Professionals who complete both are equipped for long-term success, whether they want to run a program or lead within one.

What Is the NICCM CDA Fast Track?

NICCM’s CDA Fast Track Program helps educators complete the entire training, portfolio, and prep process in as few as 3 days. It’s built for working professionals who need structure and support to complete their childcare certification without delays.

Key features:

• Includes all 120 hours of required training
• Covers portfolio guidance and test prep
• Provides ongoing application support
• Available both LIVE (in-person weekend events) and online

NICCM’s team handles everything from start to finish, ensuring nothing gets overlooked. Participants do not need to complete any pre-class work; NICCM walks them through each component during the class itself.

What Is the NICCM National Administrator Credential (NAC)?

The NAC is NICCM’s signature leadership credential. It provides directors and aspiring administrators with in-depth training on budgeting, compliance, staff supervision, family engagement, and policy development.

It’s used to meet director-level training requirements in multiple states:

• Texas:The NAC is accepted as the Texas Director Credential.

• Florida:The NAC is approved as the Overview of Child Care Management Course, which is required to apply for the Florida Director Credential.

• Oklahoma, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, and others:The NAC fulfills key components of director qualification standards.

NICCM offers the NAC as a 2.5-day course, available LIVE and online, with full support throughout the credentialing process.

The Power of Bundling: CDA + NAC

Instead of enrolling in these programs separately, many professionals are choosing NICCM’s bundled option, completing both the CDA and NAC programs in one coordinated format.

Here’s why this approach works:

1. Saves Time

Both programs are available at the same LIVE weekend events, allowing participants to complete both certifications over just three days.

Example: At upcoming events in Ft. Lauderdale, Houston, Orlando, Jacksonville, and San Antonio, attendees can register for both CDA and NAC sessions scheduled during the same weekend.

This saves months of training, scheduling, and travel.

2. Reduces Costs

NICCM’s bundles often come with package pricing and reduced administrative fees. Instead of paying full price for two separate programs, bundled attendees may benefit from group discounts and fewer materials or duplicate services.

3. Creates a Clear Career Progression

Combining classroom training with administrative credentials sets you up for immediate and future opportunities. Whether you’re applying for a preschool director certification, planning to meet the Florida Director Credential requirements, or working toward a daycare director license in Texas, you’ll be ready.

For example, a teacher in Jacksonville might complete the CDA Fast Track for classroom qualifications while simultaneously attending the NAC to prepare for a future director role.

State-Specific Benefits of Bundled Training

Here’s how bundling CDA and NAC can benefit you if you’re in Florida, Texas, or other states.

· Florida

Completing both the CDA Fast Track and the NAC prepares you to:

• Qualify for the Florida Staff Credential
• Fulfill the required Overview of Child Care Management Course
• Apply for the Florida Director Credential
• Meet DCF trainingstandards for both classroom and leadership roles

· Texas

In Texas, bundled CDA + NAC completion supports:

• Meeting Texas daycare certificationrequirements
• Completing the Texas Director Credentialvia the NAC
• Increasing chances of employment and promotion in both private and Head Start settings

· Other States

Professionals in Utah, New Mexico, and Oklahoma also benefit. In these states, the NAC is accepted as part of director qualifications, while the CDA supports classroom and assistant-level roles.

Upcoming LIVE Events for Bundled Training

If you want to complete your CDA and NAC certifications quickly, NICCM offers LIVE events across Florida and Texas where both programs are available on the same weekend:

· Florida

1. Lauderdale: August 8–10
2. Orlando: September 26–28, November 14–16
3. Deerfield Beach: October 17–19
4. Jacksonville: October 24–26
5. Miami: December 12–14

· Texas

1. Houston: September 19–21
2. San Antonio: November 7–9

These events are ideal for professionals seeking childcare certification with peer support, real-time instructor guidance, and rapid results.

View all upcoming events here.

How NICCM Bundles Help You Advance Your Career

NICCM’s bundled CDA + NAC training is built around your career goals, not just checkboxes. Whether you want to meet preschool director qualifications, complete your CDA training online, or fulfill the director credential online courses Florida requires, NICCM provides:

• Full start-to-finish support
• LIVE and online options
• No pre-class assignments required
• Training that meets state-specific credentialing laws
• Credentialing recognized in Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, Arizona, and more

Tips to Get the Most from Your NICCM Bundle

If you’re planning to enroll in a CDA + NAC bundle, here’s how to make the most of it:

1. Register early to secure seats in upcoming LIVE sessions.
2. Choose the location that fits your schedule—whether in Orlando, Houston, or Miami.
3. Ask NICCM about financial support options (like TEACH Scholarship acceptance in Florida).
4. Prepare questions ahead of time. NICCM instructors are experienced and hands-on.
5. Use the included support for application prep, test readiness, and portfolio building.
6. Visit the FAQ pageif you’re unsure what credentials you need.

Who Should Bundle CDA and NAC?

Bundling is ideal for:

• Assistant teachers ready to move into lead roles
• Center directors needing to fulfill director certificationrequirements
• Owners of new childcare businesses seeking fast, qualified approval
• Educators in Florida or Texas pursuing required state credentials
• Professionals looking to improve their qualifications quickly and affordably

Whether you're searching for free CDA classes, childcare director training, or a certificate of directorship, NICCM's bundled options provide an effective and supportive path forward.

Take Control of Your Career with NICCM

Childcare certification doesn’t have to be confusing, time-consuming, or costly. With NICCM’s CDA Fast Track and National Administrator Credential bundles, you get a faster, more efficient way to earn two powerful credentials, with full support and proven results.

Ready to complete your CDA and NAC this year? NICCM offers flexible, expert-led training for professionals at every stage, from classroom teachers to future directors. Register now. Alternatively, if you have questions, you can contact us here.

Let NICCM help you move forward with credentials that work as hard as you do.