Accreditation Portal
Accreditation Quality Standards
The quality standards will be going into effect in 2025.
Commitment to Quality and You
Quality. Commitment. Excellence.
Our accreditation program servers as a cornerstone in a state professional development systems and informs policy makers. For professionals there are two paths, and many right ways to achieve accreditation!
Reach out to accreditation@nafcc.org with questions.
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Quality Standards
Accreditation offers national recognition to family child care programs meeting the highest standards for home-based early care and education. Helping parents recognize and choose high quality family child care, our symbol of quality honors diversity and reflects cultural competency. Accreditation allows providers the flexibility to implement standards through the lens of diversity and child-centered care. Accreditation encompasses a comprehensive set of standards broken down into five core competencies:
Our accreditation program serves as a cornerstone in state professional development systems and informs policy makers. For professionals there are two paths, and many right ways to achieve accreditation!
Path to Accreditation
Any provider seeking to deepen their understanding of quality family child care can begin the Self-Study phase. This process is a self-paced stage of reflection. It gives providers the opportunity to assess whether their practices are already in line with NAFCC Quality Standards, and how they can work to achieve this status.
Requirements for movement to the next phase:
- Self reflection through use of Benchmarks to Quality
- Training
To purchase a self-study kit, please click the link to complete the form for submission and processing. All Self-Study Kits are a Pre-Order and will be fulfilled within 30 days after submission of form.
Benchmarks to Quality (PDF) Revised in 2020
Training Requirements (PDF) Revised in 2017
Training Record (PDF) Revised in 2017
Self-Study Enrollment Form (PDF) Revised in 2022
Self-Study Enrollment Form (Spanish PDF) Revised in 2022
Self-study guide FAQ (PDF) Revised in 2022
* Please note that the accreditation application process including observation and awarding timeline is currently between 6-9 months.
Once a provider has completed the Self-Study phase, they can submit their Application for Accreditation. This phase begins with collecting the necessary documents to complete the Quality Portfolio. They must also choose a Quality Assessor that will conduct the Observation Visit, and obtain their Identification Number.
Requirements for movement to the next phase:
- Prepare Quality Portfolio
- Submit Application and fees ($525 member fee, or $550 if sending a check by mail)
New Accreditation and Re-Accreditation
Accreditation Application /Re-accreditation (PDF Form) Revised 08/2022
Accreditation Application / Re-accreditation (Spanish PDF Form) Revisada 08/2022
Training Requirements (PDF) Revised 11/2017
Accreditation Transfer Workbook (PDF) Revised in 2022
Training Record (PDF Form) Revised 11/2017
This is the provider’s time to shine. Providers demonstrate how they fulfill the requirements of each of the standards. There are three separate components to this phase.
Requirements for movement to the next phase:
- Self Rating (includes Self Certification packet and video submissions)
- Parent Surveys
- Observation done by a Quality Assessor
In this phase, NAFCC and the Accreditation Council will determine whether a provider has fully demonstrated compliance with all the standards.
Requirements for movement to the next phase:
- Award Accreditation
- Award Conditional Accreditation
- Defer Accreditation
- Deny Accreditation
Accreditation validates the high quality of family child care. Accredited providers demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the profession of family child care. Accreditation is valid for 3 years. Programs are required to reapply at 2 years and 6 months, and will start fresh at the beginning of the process for accreditation.
Requirements for movement to Re-accreditation:
- Adhere to accreditation standards and NAFCC policies
- Report program changes such as move or change assistants
- Continuously assess that the environment, policies and practices are aligned with the NAFCC standards
18-Month Update (PDF Form) Revised 08/2022
Accreditation Transfer Workbook (PDF) Revised in 2022
Accreditation Transfer Workbook (Spanish PDF) Revisada 2022
Forms & Resources
Accreditation Resources
Visit the accreditation portal to submit your forms.
Accreditation Application /Re-accreditation (PDF) Revised 08/2022
Accreditation Application / Re-accreditation (Spanish PDF) Revised 08/2022
Quality Standards for NAFCC Accreditation (PDF) Revised 2017
Training Requirements (PDF) Revised 2017
Accreditation Transfer Workbook (PDF) Revised 2022
Accreditation Transfer Workbook (Spanish PDF) Revised 2022
Training Record (PDF Form) Revised 11/2017
Parent Survey English | Spanish Revised 2023
18-Month Update (PDF Form) Revised 08/2022
Benchmarks to Quality (PDF) Revised 03/2021
NAFCC Accreditation Observation Scheduling
Deciding when to apply for NAFCC accreditation
You may choose whether to do your observation virtually (by ZOOM with a pre-visit day and an observation day) or in person.
You will be scheduled for a virtually or in person observation within 60-90 days if:
| Application Date | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| January 31st | April-May |
| February 28th (29th) | May-June |
| March 31st | June-July |
| April 30th | July-August |
| May 31st | August-September |
| June 30th | September-October |
| Application Date | Observation Date |
|---|---|
| July 31st | October-November |
| August 31st | November-December |
| September 30th | December-January |
| October 31st | January-February |
| November 30th | February-March |
| December 31st | March-April |
NAFCC Accreditation Fees
Changes to accreditation fees will take effect in August, 2024.
| Item | Member Fee | Non-member Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Study Enrollment Kit | $315 | $450 |
| Accreditation Application | $525 $100.00 Co-provider Fee $100 |
$735 Co-provider Fee $150 |
| 18-Month Update | $160 | $240 |
Accreditation Application Bundle Packages
Bundle includes:
- Self-Study enrollment
- Accreditation Application – Observation
- 18-month update fee
| Member Fee | Non-Member Fee |
|---|---|
| $945.00 *plus $45.00 annual membership fee | $1340.00 |
Accreditation Projects
Connect with these local and state agencies for assistance that may come in the form of opportunities to participate in support groups, mentoring, help in developing a quality improvement plan, or financial assistance including help paying the accreditation fee.
Army
Air Force
Navy
Family Child Care Partnerships (FCCP) @ Auburn University
INAEYC
Maryland State Department of Education
Maine Roads to Quality
Florida Family Child Care Home Association
Ounce of Prevention
Tennessee State University
Wisconsin Family Child Care Association
Family Child Care Association of Maine
University of Arkansas
College of Education
& Health Professions
Oklahoma Partnership
for School Readiness
Early Childhood Solutions
Become an Accreditation Quality Ambassador
Build a bridge to NAFCC Accreditation! Sign up for the next training series for Accreditation projects leads and staff. Learn everything from project planning, to working with Family Child Care Programs and NAFCC. Be better equipped to walk Family Child Care educators through NAFCC Accreditation and Renewals.
Meet the Council
Annette Eberhart
Chair
Michael Bachman
Immediate Past Chair
Sheryl Hutzenbiler
Secretary
Jan Munday
Clara Herrera, Ed.D.
Maria Flores
Stacey Buzbee
Susan Hancock
Giselle Asencio
Find an Accredited Program
Being NAFCC Accredited shows my parents I am committed to quality, that I truly support children’s growth and development in the most professional and caring way possible.” – Lida