Apply for Accreditation

Apply for NAFCC Accreditation

Be the Best. Trust the First.

The Accreditation Application Phase is the second stage of the NAFCC Accreditation journey. During this phase, educators formally submit their application through the NAFCC Accreditation Portal, the official system for managing accreditation documentation, fees, and communication.

Applicants demonstrate alignment with the NAFCC Quality Standards and readiness for observation by completing all required steps within the Portal.

All accreditation applications must be submitted through the NAFCC Accreditation Portal. Applications sent by email or mail will not be processed.

Application Instructions & Checklist

Accreditation portal

To apply for accreditation, educators must:

Be actively enrolled in Self-Study, or
Be a reaccrediting educator who has completed their previous accreditation cycle, including required 18-month updates.

All required documentation and fees must be submitted through the Accreditation Portal.

Once submitted, the Accreditation Team reviews the application within the Portal to confirm completeness. Applications that are incomplete will remain in pending status until all required materials are uploaded and verified.

When the application is marked complete and processed, the educator is placed into the appropriate monthly observation cycle in accordance with the Application & Observation Window Calendar.”

When the application is marked complete and processed, the educator is placed into the appropriate monthly observation cycle in accordance with the Application & Observation Window Calendar.

Checklist

The following items must be uploaded and verified within the Accreditation Portal before an application can be processed.

Completed Accreditation Application (Portal submission)

Application Fee (Portal payment)

Current NAFCC Membership (if submitting at member rate)

Current FCC Program License

Health Assessment Form (within 2 years)

TB Screening Form (within 2 years)

Current First Aid & Pediatric CPR Certification

State and Federal Background Checks (within 3 years)

Training Log & Verification (within 3 years)

Training Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate completion of required training hours across the following competency areas. Training documentation must be uploaded and verified through the Accreditation Portal.

Relationships, Interactions, and Guidance

Nurturing and positive interactions
Supporting children’s emotional development and self-regulation
Social-emotional climate
Family and community engagement

Child Growth and Development

Physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development
How these interact with one another
Facilitating child growth and development
Approaches to learning

Learning Environments and Curriculum

Curriculum and curriculum planning
Language and literacy, mathematics, science, technology, engineering, the arts, social studies
Culture, diversity, and equity inclusiveness
Dual language learners
Space, materials, activities, transitions
Schedules and routines

Health, Safety, and Nutrition

Injury prevention
Minimize disease
Allergies, tolerances, and dietary restrictions
Emergency preparedness
Physical activity
Supervision

Assessment and Screening

Observation, screening and referral, assessment, documentation, interpretation, planning, Implementation
Setting up goals and objectives for children
Using and implementing portfolios to assess and inform