Accreditation Facilitation Project Accreditation Facilitation Project
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Accreditation?
Answer: Accreditation is a voluntary process that child care providers (family, center and school-age) can choose to go through that assesses their program and care practices based on quality standards. The process involves doing a self assessment which examines every aspect of their program's operations. The self assessment is the basis of a program improvement plan. The accrediting body (NAA - National AfterSchool Association, NAEYC - National Association for the Education of Young Children, and NAFCC - National Association for Family Child Care for examples) has trained volunteers that observe and validate the program's quality based on field standards. The appropriate accrediting body awards the accreditation certificate based on the formal observation or accreditation visit.
2. What are the benefits to becoming accredited?
Anwer: Accreditation raises the quality level of the child care provided. It says that your program is commited to providing quality child care for your children and their families. This level of commitment, and quality, sets you apart from the "average" care provider. Click here to find out more reasons NAA, NAEYC, and NAFCC provide for becoming accredited. Benefits of Accreditation
3. Are there other types of accreditation besides NAA, NAEYC and NAFCC?
Answer: Yes, there are many other types of accreditations for child care. Each accrediting body has their own set of standards and accrediting process.
Minnesota state statue recognizes the following accreditations for accreditation reimbursement allowances, and for the Child Care Assistance Reimbursement Differential:
National AfterSchool Association (NAA)
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
National Association for Family Child Care
Council on Accreditation (prorated specific to the Early Child Care and Development Program portion)
Head Start Association (NHSA) Program of Excellence
National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)
American Montessori Society
Association of Montessori International-USA
4. What is the cost of accreditation?
Answer: Each accrediting organization has a slightly different process and cost. Click here to see a cost comparison Accreditation Visit Cost Comparison
You can also visit the national organization's websites to get more information regarding each accreditation:
NAA National AfterSchool Association
NAEYC National Association for the Education of Young Children
NAFCC National Association for Family Child Care
5. How do I get started on the road to accreditation?
Answer: Accreditation raises the quality level of the child care provided but can be a daunting task for childcare programs/providers. The Accreditation Facilitation Project (AFP) offers a variety of services to help all childcare providers and programs reach this highest level of quality. These services range from an accreditation Hotline to enhanced technical assistance (mentoring/coaching/consultation) with an Accreditation Specialist. These services are offered through a tiered approach, some of the services are free and others are fee-based.
The AFP can help programs and providers understand the process, and ‘walk’ them through the actual pieces of accreditation. The AFP encourages providers/programs to apply for CCR&R grants to address the cost of program improvements. Programs that become accredited are eligible for reimbursement of half of the accreditation costs through the Department of Human Services.
6. How is accreditation different than the Parent Aware Program rating?
Answer: Designed by child care providers, early learning professionals and parents, Minnesota’s voluntary Parent Aware Rating Tool is intended to support our state’s children by creating a rating system which identifies, recognizes and celebrates quality in early education. The rating tool will recognize early educators for the quality of care they deliver and build on this quality by supporting their efforts at program improvements. It is currently limited to geographically targeted areas in North Minneapolois, Saint Paul, Wayzata school district, and Blue Earth and Nicollet counties.
Programs and providers that are accredited and are in the Parent Aware Program's targeted service area will receive the highest rating if they enroll in the Parent Aware Program. Click here for more information Parent Aware Program