Quality is at the heart of family child care. It’s what drives family care educators to create safe, nurturing, and stimulating environments where young children can thrive. At the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), we understand that quality in early childhood care is paramount—not only for the well-being and development of children but also for the trust and confidence of families. That’s why NAFCC’s accreditation process goes beyond a checklist of standards; it fosters a commitment to continuous improvement, helping family child care educators uphold and advance the highest standards in the field.
NAFCC Accreditation: The Gold Standard in Family Child Care
For decades, NAFCC Accreditation has been the trusted standard in family child care, providing a clear and comprehensive path for educators to demonstrate their commitment to quality. As the only system designed specifically by and for FCC professionals, NAFCC Accreditation ensures consistency, clarity, and a deep understanding of the unique needs of home-based providers. In a time when clarity in the field is more important than ever, NAFCC remains committed to uniting and strengthening the FCC community, ensuring there is no division or confusion in the marketplace. Our focus is on providing a trusted, reliable, and inclusive accreditation system that supports educators, families, and stakeholders alike.
The National Association for Family Child Care’s Accreditation Program represents the highest standard of quality in family child care, recognized for setting rigorous, research-based benchmarks. Western Oregon University initially cited the standards as research-based practices and findings. The research and recommendations from this study ensured that accredited educators who embody these standards positively influence children’s growth and development. Through NAFCC Accreditation, family child care educators demonstrate their dedication to excellence, benefiting both the children they care for and the communities they serve. Our process was specifically designed with family child care educators in mind, recognizing their unique strengths and challenges. We aim to make quality achievable and sustainable, centering the voices and experiences of family child care educators throughout every stage of accreditation.
Commitment to Inclusivity and Professional Growth
Family child care educators accredited by NAFCC demonstrate a strong commitment to quality, directly benefiting the children and families they serve. As the nation’s largest organization focused on family child care, NAFCC is committed to setting the standard for excellence in this field. Our benchmarks are backed by rigorous research and reflect the best practices in early childhood education. By adhering to these guidelines, family care educators not only enhance their own practices but also contribute to elevating family child care as a whole.
The voices of diverse FCC educators are prioritized at every stage of the NAFCC Accreditation System to ensure the lived experiences and perspectives of educators are represented. For example, the Accreditation Council oversees the integrity of the accreditation system, including its processes and the revision of quality standards. According to the bylaws, one-third of the members of the Accreditation Council must be FCC educators.
In January 2025, NAFCC will fully implement our updated Quality Standards—a milestone designed to drive continuous improvement across the field. Developed through extensive collaboration with hundreds of educators, parents, resource and referral staff members, and early childhood experts, these new standards represent a unified vision of what high-quality family child care should look like. By participating in the accreditation process, family child care providers show a dedication to professional growth and a commitment to providing the best possible start for young children.
To support family child care educators with this transition, NAFCC hosted two November webinars, offering guidance on documentation, observation prep, and strategies for meeting quality benchmarks, along with practical tips and real-world examples for daily operations.
Designed for FCC, by FCC Experts: A Comprehensive Approach to Quality
NAFCC places family child care educators at the heart of the accreditation process, designing every phase to address their unique needs and challenges. Unlike generalized accreditation systems, NAFCC recognizes the unique roles FCC educators play, from curriculum design to caregiving, empowering them as leaders in early childhood care.
Developed with direct input from hundreds of educators, parents, and early childhood professionals, NAFCC’s Accreditation is continuously reviewed and strengthened by the Accreditation Council, many of whom are FCC educators themselves. This ensures the standards remain relevant, supportive, and focused on continuous improvement for family child care professionals
Learn more about this process from Annette Eberhart, Accreditation Council Chair, in this video (English) and hear from Alba Gomez, FCC Educator- Florida, in this video (Spanish).
“Over the past year, I’ve had the pleasure of working with NAFCC on revising their accreditation documents,” said Raedell Wallace, Project Manager. “I led the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan to guide this process, working closely with NAFCC’s staff, contractors, and vendors. By updating the Quality Standards, we empower family child care programs to prioritize the highest quality of care and education for young children.”
Linda Davis and Linda Schumacher, two veteran family child care professionals, played a key role in updating the NAFCC Accreditation Quality Standards. Their expertise ensured that the new standards reflect best practices, while also overhauling Accreditation and Observer training materials. “These updates elevate the tools and resources available to providers and observers, strengthening the foundation for quality family child care accreditation,” they shared.
Mike Bachman, past chair of the NAFCC Accreditation Council and Senior Director at Shine Early Learning, led a comprehensive revision of the NAFCC Accreditation Standards over five years. “The updates honor the diversity of the family child care community, ensuring the standards are inclusive and accessible,” Mike explained.
Supporting Advocacy Through Your National Association
Choosing NAFCC Accreditation means supporting your national association, which actively advocates on behalf of family child care educators nationwide. Your participation strengthens NAFCC’s ability to elevate the voices of FCC professionals and champion policies that benefit the entire field. Investing in NAFCC accreditation strengthens the entire FCC field. A strong accreditation leads to a strong NAFCC, supporting the sustainability of family child care nationwide.
As we move forward with the implementation of these updated standards, we invite family child care educators to embrace this opportunity for growth and transformation. By aligning with the new Quality Standards, you are not only enhancing the care you provide to children but also contributing to the ongoing evolution of family child care nationwide. Let’s build a stronger, more inclusive system that ensures all children receive the high-quality care they deserve. NAFCC is here to support you every step of the way on your journey to excellence.
