Accreditation

Accreditation is a process that identifies the high level of practices in a particular field.  Accreditation is both a status and a process: 

• As a status, accreditation provides public notification that a child care program meets standards of quality set forth by an accrediting agency. 
• As a process, accreditation reflects the fact that in achieving recognition by the accrediting agency, the program is committed to self-study and external review by their peers in seeking not only to meet standards but to continuously seek ways in which to enhance the quality of the services they provide.

There are seperate accreditation programs that are geared specifically for the different types of child care. NAFCC Accredication for family child care homes and NAEYC Accredication for child care center programs. Information about both programs can be found below.

National Association for Family Child Care Accreditation (NAFCC):

NAFCC Accreditation is an indicator that family child care offers safe, inviting spaces and warm, nurturing care complete with educational activities designed to meet the needs and interests of all children while promoting individual development.

NAFCC Accreditation is recognized as the highest level that a family child care program is a quality environment.  In many states where Quality Rating Systems have been implemented, NAFCC Accreditation is often the highest level in the rating system.

For more information or to start your journey towards NAFCC Accreditation, go to www.nafcc.org to get the latest information or you can contact them directly at:

NAFCC
1743 W Alexander Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84119
Phone:  (801) 886-2322
Phone:  (800) 359-3817

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

NAEYC Accreditation of programs for young children represents the mark of quality in early childhood education for child care center programs.

NAEYC accredited programs invest in early childhood education because they believe in the benefits to children and families.  Early childhood experiences from birth to age 8 have a huge impact on children’s lifelong learning and positively contribute to their health and development.  Early childhood education programs with the mark of quality benefit children with greater readiness for a success in school.

Benefits of being an NAEYC Accredited Program:

• Helps to build a stronger team of teachers, administrators, and families working together to improve quality for children.
• Improved standards for the overall program.
• Recognition through NAEYC, including program listing on the NAEYC website.
• Attracts more families to enroll their children in your program.

For more information to start your journey towards NAEYC Accreditation, go to www.naeyc.org to get the latest information or you can contact them directly at:

NAEYC
1313 L St, N.W. Suite 500
Washington DC 20005
Phone:  (202) 232-8777
Phone:  (800) 424-2460