At the heart of quality child care are dedicated family care educators who provide nurturing environments for children to grow and thrive. Recognizing their pivotal role, the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) has positioned these educators at the center of the accreditation process, advocating for excellence throughout the industry.
Quality is paramount in family child care, affecting the well-being and development of young children. NAFCC’s accreditation process not only upholds high standards but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement. By engaging in this process, family care educators demonstrate their commitment to providing quality care and education, ultimately benefiting the children and families they serve. NAFCC is dedicated to ensuring that the input and focus of family child care educators remain at the center of this work.
Recognizing our Accredited Educators
The NAFCC Accreditation Team acknowledges and celebrates the accomplishments of all NAFCC Accredited Educators. We are grateful for their continued commitment to providing quality education and aim to recognize them through a quarterly recognition program. Let’s come together to applaud our newly accredited educators, as well as those who are renewing their accreditation, for their ongoing commitment to excellence in FCC!
Setting the Standards
As the nation’s largest organization dedicated to family child care, NAFCC sets the standard for quality through rigorous industry benchmarks. These standards, informed by research and best practices, ensure that children receive the highest level of care and education in family-based settings. By adhering to these guidelines, family care educators not only enhance their practices but also contribute to the overall advancement of the field. NAFCC recently released its new quality standards, which were developed through a consensus-building process involving hundreds of educators, parents, resource and referral staff members, and many other early childhood experts.
The Accreditation Journey
NAFCC’s accreditation process is designed with family child care educators in mind, recognizing their unique strengths and challenges. This journey includes five phases: self-study, application, observation, decision, and maintenance. Each phase is carefully crafted to support educators in reflecting on their practices, engaging in continuous improvement, and ultimately achieving accreditation.
Introducing the Accreditation Portal
NAFCC has launched an Accreditation Portal for educators to apply for accreditation. The user-friendly platform centralizes resources, allowing users to track progress, access paperwork, and stay informed. The portal ensures a convenient experience for both users and NAFCC, facilitating efficient monitoring of accreditation progress. As of March 15, 2024, all application submissions must be completed through the Accreditation Portal.
To better assist educators, the NAFCC Accreditation Team will host Technical Assistance Office Hours on Thursdays at 1:30 pm EST. Please register in advance by clicking here to participate in the May Technical Assistance Office Hours:
May 2: Beginning your NAFCC Accreditation Journey 1:30pm-2:30pm EST
May 9: Unpacking the Reaccreditation Process 1:30pm-2:30pm EST
May 16: Getting ready for the 18-Month Update 1:30pm-2:30pm EST
May 30: Setting up your Accreditation Portal and Self-Study 1:30pm-2:30pm EST
Join us for Accreditation Sessions at the NAFCC Annual Conference
NAFCC will showcase this new accreditation journey at its Annual Conference, taking place from July 24 to 27, 2024, in St. Louis. This event offers a unique opportunity to connect with peers, engage in professional development, and learn about the latest trends, innovations in the field, and accreditation. Register now to secure your spot, and remember, members receive a discounted price.
We Want to Support You
If you’re looking for assistance with your accreditation work, we’re here to help. The National Association for Family Child Care offers a range of training sessions and other support services to guide you through the process. If you’d like more information or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us by email at accreditation@nafcc.org or by phone 202-796-5700. We’re excited to work with you and support your journey to accreditation!
