About the CDA
The Children’s Development Academy (CDA) is a nonprofit preschool providing high-quality early learning programs to children from low-income families in North Metro Atlanta since 1967. We rely on in-kind donations to equip our classrooms, support a quality literacy program for students and their families, ease the cost of school supplies, lessen the financial strain of the holidays, and keep our program affordable for families who need it.
How to Host a Drive
- Review this page and decide what type of drive you and your group would like to host.
- Discuss how your group will collect or purchase the needed new items. Feel free to invite others (neighbors, co-workers, etc.) to donate as well.
- Set a date to collect all your donations. If you’re hosting a group drive, share information about the CDA’s mission and how the drive benefits the students.
- Contact Rebecca Hampson at rhampson@cdakids.org to schedule a drop-off date and time.
Book Drive
Year-Round
At the Children’s Development Academy, we believe that every child deserves access to high-quality early education and the joy of reading. Through our various literacy programs, we aim to instill a love for books and reading in our young learners and their families.
In 2024, students read 13,000+ books at home and 1,500+ books were placed in their homes.
Essentials Drive
Year-Round
Needed Items
- Individually Wrapped Healthy Snacks (Goldfish, Graham Crackers, pretzels, etc.)
- Bottled Water (miniature size or regular)
- Zip Lock Bags (sandwich size and gallon size)
- Batteries (especially AA, AAA and C12)
- Disinfecting wipes
- Laundry detergent (he)
- Jumbo Crayons
- Washable Colored Markers (Broadline)
- Copier Paper (White and Multi Color)
- Toilet Paper
- Paper Towels
- Kleenex/Facial Tissues
- School Glue
- Glue Sticks
- Construction Paper multi-color (9”x12” & 12”x18”)
- Books appropriate for 1 – 5 year olds, especially multi-cultural books (Can be gently used)
- Gift cards to purchase supplies (Amazon, Walmart, Kroger, Target)
Back to School Drive
July – August
Back to School is a little different at the CDA. Each child that enters the CDA is given all the school supplies they need to achieve a high quality early education. Our parents or teachers are never asked to purchase supplies, classroom decorations or other essential items. Those necessary, but expensive items are required in abundance to maintain our NAEYC and Georgia Quality Rated accreditation.
We depend on YOU to help us stock the classrooms with everything they need to be successful on day one!
School Supply List
- Zip Lock Bags (sandwich size, gallon size, and 2 ½ gallon size)
- Laundry Detergent (he)
- Kleenex/Facial Tissues
- Washable Colored Markers (Broadline)
- Copier paper (white and multi-color)
- Play-Doh
- Photo paper
- White cardstock
- Sharpie Permanent Markers – Black
- Gallons of bubbles
- Gift cards to purchase supplies (Amazon, Walmart, Kroger, Target)
- Books appropriate for 1-5 year-olds, especially multi-cultural books
- Disinfecting wipes (Clorox or Lysol brand)
- Baby wipes
- Munchkins Diaper Genie refill bags
- Individually wrapped healthy snacks (goldfish, graham crackers, pretzels, Cheez-it crackers, whole grain Ritz crackers, veggie sticks, etc. – no peanuts please)
- Plastic table cloths (rectangular) in solid colors and/or seasonal
- Bottled water (miniature size or regular)
Santa Shop Drive
November – Mid-December
Every year, our generous community donates toys and books for our preschoolers to make the holidays a little sweeter. Most of our CDA families live paycheck to paycheck and your help during the holidays lets them enjoy the season without the extra stress of another expense.
View our Santa Shop page for more information on how to get involved!