1
CDA Actual Exam 2026/2027: Questions and All
Correct Answers | 100% Solved and Guaranteed
Success for Child Development Associate – Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Planning a Safe, Healthy Learning Environment (10 Questions)
Q1: A teacher notices a toddler putting a small plastic bead in their mouth during art time. What
is the teacher's immediate action?
A. Wait to see if the child spits it out naturally
B. Immediately remove the object and provide close supervision [CORRECT]
C. Continue the activity and address it later
D. Remove the child from the art area permanently
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Active supervision and immediate intervention are required for choking hazards.
Small objects (beads, marbles, coins) are choking risks for children under 3 years (NAEYC
Safety Standards). The teacher must remove the object, check the child's airway, and prevent
future access to small materials. Waiting (A) risks choking. Delaying (C) is unsafe. Permanent
removal (D) is excessive; modifying materials and supervision is the appropriate response.
Q2: According to CDA and licensing standards, how often should fire drills be conducted in an
early childhood program?
A. Annually
B. Quarterly
C. Monthly [CORRECT]
D. Only when requested by parents
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fire drills must be conducted monthly in early childhood programs per CDA
competency standards and most state licensing regulations. This ensures children and staff can
evacuate quickly and safely. Documentation of drills (date, time, evacuation time, headcount
verification) is required. Annual (A) or quarterly (B) drills are insufficient for young children
who need frequent practice. Parent requests (D) do not determine drill frequency.
,2
Q3: A teacher is setting up the diapering area. Which arrangement follows proper health and
sanitation procedures?
A. Diapers stored on the changing surface, sink across the room, no gloves
B. Diapers within reach but not on the surface, sink within arm's reach, gloves, sanitizing
solution prepared [CORRECT]
C. Changing surface near food preparation area for convenience
D. Used diapers disposed of in open trash can without liner
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Proper diapering procedure requires: supplies within reach (but not contaminating the
surface), handwashing sink within arm's reach, non-absorbent paper liner, gloves, and prepared
sanitizing solution (10% bleach or approved disinfectant). The procedure is: prepare, clean child,
remove soiled diaper, clean child's bottom, apply clean diaper, dress child, wash child's hands,
wash teacher's hands, disinfect surface. Food areas (C) must be separate. Open trash (D) violates
sanitation.
Q4: A child arrives at the center with a temperature of 101.5°F and appears lethargic. What is the
correct exclusion policy action?
A. Accept the child and monitor throughout the day
B. Isolate the child from others and call parents to pick up immediately [CORRECT]
C. Give fever-reducing medication and keep the child
D. Wait until the end of the day to inform parents
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Illness exclusion policies require children with fever >100.4°F (38°C) plus symptoms
(lethargy, behavior change) to be sent home immediately. This protects the ill child, other
children, and staff. The child should be isolated (comfortable, supervised area) until pickup.
Accepting the child (A) spreads illness. Medicating (C) masks symptoms without treating cause.
Delaying notification (D) violates health policies and parent communication standards.
Q5: Which food item is an appropriate snack for toddlers (18-36 months) considering choking
hazards?
A. Whole grapes
B. Raw carrot coins
, 3
C. Sliced bananas [CORRECT]
D. Popcorn
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sliced bananas are soft, appropriately sized, and not a choking hazard. Whole grapes
(A) must be quartered lengthwise. Raw carrots (B) must be cooked or cut into thin strips.
Popcorn (D) is a high-risk choking hazard for children under 4 years and should be avoided.
CDA health competency requires knowledge of age-appropriate food preparation and choking
prevention (hot dogs, nuts, hard candy, whole grapes, raw vegetables, popcorn are high-risk).
Q6: A teacher is planning outdoor play. What is the required fall zone surface under climbing
equipment?
A. Concrete for stability
B. Grass or dirt
C. Impact-absorbing materials: 12 inches of sand, wood chips, or rubber mulch [CORRECT]
D. Carpeting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CPSC and NAEYC standards require 9-12 inches (compressed) of impact-absorbing
material (sand, pea gravel, wood chips, mulch, rubber mats) extending 6 feet in all directions
from climbing equipment. This reduces injury risk from falls. Concrete (A) causes severe
injuries. Grass/dirt (B) becomes compacted and unsafe. Carpeting (D) deteriorates outdoors and
doesn't provide adequate impact absorption.
Q7: A teacher is sanitizing toys after a child with a contagious illness used them. What is the
correct bleach solution concentration?
A. 1 cup bleach per gallon of water (approximately 1:16 dilution, 10,000 ppm) for sanitizing
[CORRECT]
B. 1 tablespoon bleach per gallon
C. Pure bleach undiluted
D. Water only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: CDC and CDA health standards recommend 1 tablespoon bleach per 1 gallon water
(200 ppm) for sanitizing food contact surfaces, and stronger solutions (1 cup per gallon, ~600-
800 ppm) for disinfecting bodily fluids or illness contamination. The solution must be mixed
CDA Actual Exam 2026/2027: Questions and All
Correct Answers | 100% Solved and Guaranteed
Success for Child Development Associate – Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Section 1: Planning a Safe, Healthy Learning Environment (10 Questions)
Q1: A teacher notices a toddler putting a small plastic bead in their mouth during art time. What
is the teacher's immediate action?
A. Wait to see if the child spits it out naturally
B. Immediately remove the object and provide close supervision [CORRECT]
C. Continue the activity and address it later
D. Remove the child from the art area permanently
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Active supervision and immediate intervention are required for choking hazards.
Small objects (beads, marbles, coins) are choking risks for children under 3 years (NAEYC
Safety Standards). The teacher must remove the object, check the child's airway, and prevent
future access to small materials. Waiting (A) risks choking. Delaying (C) is unsafe. Permanent
removal (D) is excessive; modifying materials and supervision is the appropriate response.
Q2: According to CDA and licensing standards, how often should fire drills be conducted in an
early childhood program?
A. Annually
B. Quarterly
C. Monthly [CORRECT]
D. Only when requested by parents
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Fire drills must be conducted monthly in early childhood programs per CDA
competency standards and most state licensing regulations. This ensures children and staff can
evacuate quickly and safely. Documentation of drills (date, time, evacuation time, headcount
verification) is required. Annual (A) or quarterly (B) drills are insufficient for young children
who need frequent practice. Parent requests (D) do not determine drill frequency.
,2
Q3: A teacher is setting up the diapering area. Which arrangement follows proper health and
sanitation procedures?
A. Diapers stored on the changing surface, sink across the room, no gloves
B. Diapers within reach but not on the surface, sink within arm's reach, gloves, sanitizing
solution prepared [CORRECT]
C. Changing surface near food preparation area for convenience
D. Used diapers disposed of in open trash can without liner
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Proper diapering procedure requires: supplies within reach (but not contaminating the
surface), handwashing sink within arm's reach, non-absorbent paper liner, gloves, and prepared
sanitizing solution (10% bleach or approved disinfectant). The procedure is: prepare, clean child,
remove soiled diaper, clean child's bottom, apply clean diaper, dress child, wash child's hands,
wash teacher's hands, disinfect surface. Food areas (C) must be separate. Open trash (D) violates
sanitation.
Q4: A child arrives at the center with a temperature of 101.5°F and appears lethargic. What is the
correct exclusion policy action?
A. Accept the child and monitor throughout the day
B. Isolate the child from others and call parents to pick up immediately [CORRECT]
C. Give fever-reducing medication and keep the child
D. Wait until the end of the day to inform parents
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Illness exclusion policies require children with fever >100.4°F (38°C) plus symptoms
(lethargy, behavior change) to be sent home immediately. This protects the ill child, other
children, and staff. The child should be isolated (comfortable, supervised area) until pickup.
Accepting the child (A) spreads illness. Medicating (C) masks symptoms without treating cause.
Delaying notification (D) violates health policies and parent communication standards.
Q5: Which food item is an appropriate snack for toddlers (18-36 months) considering choking
hazards?
A. Whole grapes
B. Raw carrot coins
, 3
C. Sliced bananas [CORRECT]
D. Popcorn
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sliced bananas are soft, appropriately sized, and not a choking hazard. Whole grapes
(A) must be quartered lengthwise. Raw carrots (B) must be cooked or cut into thin strips.
Popcorn (D) is a high-risk choking hazard for children under 4 years and should be avoided.
CDA health competency requires knowledge of age-appropriate food preparation and choking
prevention (hot dogs, nuts, hard candy, whole grapes, raw vegetables, popcorn are high-risk).
Q6: A teacher is planning outdoor play. What is the required fall zone surface under climbing
equipment?
A. Concrete for stability
B. Grass or dirt
C. Impact-absorbing materials: 12 inches of sand, wood chips, or rubber mulch [CORRECT]
D. Carpeting
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: CPSC and NAEYC standards require 9-12 inches (compressed) of impact-absorbing
material (sand, pea gravel, wood chips, mulch, rubber mats) extending 6 feet in all directions
from climbing equipment. This reduces injury risk from falls. Concrete (A) causes severe
injuries. Grass/dirt (B) becomes compacted and unsafe. Carpeting (D) deteriorates outdoors and
doesn't provide adequate impact absorption.
Q7: A teacher is sanitizing toys after a child with a contagious illness used them. What is the
correct bleach solution concentration?
A. 1 cup bleach per gallon of water (approximately 1:16 dilution, 10,000 ppm) for sanitizing
[CORRECT]
B. 1 tablespoon bleach per gallon
C. Pure bleach undiluted
D. Water only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: CDC and CDA health standards recommend 1 tablespoon bleach per 1 gallon water
(200 ppm) for sanitizing food contact surfaces, and stronger solutions (1 cup per gallon, ~600-
800 ppm) for disinfecting bodily fluids or illness contamination. The solution must be mixed
