Final answer:
It is important for home-based providers to have a Child Development Associate degree in addition to a high school diploma because it provides them with critical knowledge and skills in early childhood education, making them more adept and professional in delivering higher quality childcare and education.
Step-by-step explanation:
Having a Child Development Associate degree (CDA) in addition to a high school diploma is vital for home-based providers because a CDA equips them with specialized knowledge about the developmental needs and teaching strategies for young children.
The complexity of childhood education requires more than just parental intuition or basic knowledge; it requires understanding pedagogical methodologies, developmental psychology, and learning environment design—similar to how a doctor possesses specialized medical expertise beyond a layperson's understanding.
The CDA also represents acknowledge of some college or associate degree education, which is increasingly important as the value of a high school diploma alone has diminished.
Additionally, as our society values high levels of skill for jobs, Davis and Moore suggest that jobs requiring more skill are inherently considered more important, and those with the necessary qualifications are fewer.
This translates to the field of early childcare where a CDA signifies a higher level of skill and qualification, thus enhancing the providers' ability to meet the developmental needs of the children they care for and ensuring a higher quality of early education.