Daycare Accreditation: What It Means 2026

Accreditation is a voluntary quality indicator that shows a childcare program meets high standards beyond basic licensing. Understanding what accreditation means helps you identify quality programs.

Accreditation

What Is Accreditation?

Definition

Accreditation is:

Voluntary quality recognition
Beyond state licensing
Rigorous assessment process
Higher standards met
Ongoing compliance

Licensing vs Accreditation

Key differences: | Aspect | Licensing | Accreditation | |--------|-----------|---------------| | Required | Yes | No | | Focus | Minimum safety | Higher quality | | Standards | State-set | National organization | | Rigor | Baseline | Exceeds licensing | | Monitoring | State inspections | Self-study + external |

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Major Accrediting Organizations

NAEYC

National Association for Education of Young Children:

Most recognized for centers
Rigorous standards
Classroom observation
Family engagement focus
Staff qualifications
Curriculum assessment

NAFCC

National Association for Family Child Care:

For home-based care
Quality standards for homes
Business practices
Family-centered approach
Ongoing professional development

Other Accreditations

Also recognized:

NECPA (centers)
COA (centers)
NAC (Head Start)
Faith-based accreditations
State quality rating systems (QRIS)

NAEYC Accreditation

What It Covers

Ten program standards:

Relationships
Curriculum
Teaching
Assessment
Health
Staff competencies
Families
Community
Physical environment
Leadership and management

The Process

How programs earn it:

Self-study period
Application submission
Site visit
Classroom observations
Staff interviews
Decision by NAEYC

Maintenance

Ongoing requirements:

Annual report
Continuous improvement
Re-accreditation every 5 years
Address any issues
Meet changing standards

What Accreditation Means

Quality Indicators

Accredited programs likely have:

Better trained staff
Lower ratios
Quality curriculum
Parent engagement
Safe environments
Continuous improvement focus

What It Doesn't Guarantee

Accreditation doesn't mean:

Perfect program
Best fit for every child
No issues ever
Highest possible quality
Only option to consider

Realistic Expectations

Understand:

It's one quality indicator
Visit and observe anyway
Ask questions
Trust your instincts
Consider alongside other factors

Finding Accredited Programs

Search Tools

Resources:

NAEYC.org accredited program search
NAFCC.org provider search
State QRIS databases
Local R&R agencies

Verify Accreditation

Always:

Check accreditation status
Confirm it's current
Verify through organization
Ask for certificate
Note expiration date

Questions to Ask

About Accreditation

Ask programs:

Are you accredited?
By whom?
When does it expire?
What areas did you excel in?
Any areas for improvement?

About Quality

Understand:

What does accreditation mean to you?
How do you maintain standards?
What's your improvement focus?
Why did you seek accreditation?

If Not Accredited

Reasons Programs Aren't

Possible factors:

Cost of accreditation
Time-intensive process
Small programs
New programs
Chose not to pursue
Working toward it

Still Can Be Quality

Not accredited but quality:

May meet high standards
Could be working toward it
Other quality indicators
Personal assessment matters
QRIS rating possible

What to Look For Instead

If not accredited:

State quality rating (QRIS)
Licensing record
Staff qualifications
Parent reviews
Your observations

Quality Rating Systems (QRIS)

State Systems

Most states have:

Quality rating and improvement
Star ratings often
Assessment process
Quality indicators
Improvement support

What QRIS Means

High ratings indicate:

Exceeds licensing
Quality standards met
Improvement efforts
Accountability

Finding QRIS Ratings

Resources:

State childcare agency
R&R referrals
Program websites
Quality improvement sites

Evaluating Quality Overall

Multiple Indicators

Consider:

Accreditation
QRIS rating
Licensing record
Staff qualifications
Your observations
Parent feedback

What Matters Most

Priorities:

Child's experience
Warm relationships
Safety and health
Developmental support
Good fit for family

Key Takeaways

Accreditation matters:

Indicates quality commitment
Higher standards
Voluntary excellence
Ongoing accountability

But it's not everything:

One indicator of many
Not all quality programs accredited
Still observe and evaluate
Trust your assessment

Types to know:

NAEYC (centers)
NAFCC (home care)
State QRIS ratings
Others exist

What to do:

Check accreditation status
Verify it's current
Ask questions
Observe anyway
Consider all factors

Accreditation is a valuable quality indicator, but it's one piece of the puzzle. Use it alongside other evaluation tools to find the right program.

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