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!

learn icon

Continually Learn

chart

Command Better Pay

Be Nationally Recognized

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:

  • Relationships
  • The Environment
  • Learning Activities
  • Safety & Health
  • Professional & Business Practices

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

1. Self-Study

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

2. Application

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, or $550 if sending a check by mail)
  • Select a Quality Assessor from the database

3. Observation

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

4. Decision

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

5. Maintain

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
childcare
childcare
childcare

Accreditation

NAFCC administers the only national system designed for family child care providers. Accreditation is awarded for family child care providers who meet the eligibility requirements and the Quality Standards for NAFCC Accreditation.

Family child care providers achieve this high level of quality through a process that examines all aspects of the family child care program, i.e. relationships, the environment, developmental learning activities, safety, health, and professional and business practices.

Training Requirements
Accreditation Transfer Workbook
Training Record
Accreditation Update
Benchmarks to Quality

accreditation application cover

Accreditation Application
Accredication Application (PDF)
Accreditation Application (Spanish pdf)

Supports & Resources

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

quality ambassador

Become a 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.

Coming Soon!

Meet the Council

Jennifer Young

Jennifer Young

Chair

Victoria Coleman

Victoria Long-Coleman

Past Council Chair

Maria Florez

Maria Flores

Secretary

Mike Bachman

Mike Bachman

NAFCC logo

Tammy Dwyer

Annette Eberhart

Annette Eberhart

NAFCC logo

Dianna Aguirre

Clara herrera

Clara Herrera, Ed.D.

Sue Jackson

Sue Jackson

caregiving

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

Nationally Accredited Providers Map

Find an accredited provider by state and city