Accreditation in childcare: Accreditation | NAEYC

Licensing vs Acreditation – Center for Child Care and Family Resources

Licensing

• Licensing standards vary from state to state. The Utah licensing entity is the Department
  of Health, Bureau of Child Development.
• The goal is to ensure the safety and well-being of children. Minimum standards are
  set by government regulatory agencies, with input from professionals and community.
• Licensing rules are established to determine the least that can be provided to assure
  safe, healthy, nurturing environment for children’s care and development.
• Accountable to report major changes.
• All providers must pass a criminal background check and attain the minimal hours of
  required training.
• License expires & providers must renew license at set times established by the licensor.
• Inspections are done both announced and unannounced biannually.

Types of Licensing

• Residential Certificate – Child care provided in a private home for up to eight children.
  This can include up to (but not more than) two children under the age of two.
• Family Child Care – Child care provided in a private home for up to eight children.
  This can include up to (but not more than) two children under the age of two Family
  Group Child Care
• Family Group Child Care – Child care provided in a private home and operated by two
  providers who care for up to 16 children (including their own).
• Child Care Center – Child care provided in a non-residential setting on a regular
  schedule. The number of children allowed will be determined by the facility’s total
  square footage.
• Hourly Center – Child care provided in a non-residential setting, not on a regular
  schedule.

License Exempt

• Nanny Care
• Relative Care
• Programs administered by public or parochial schools
• Drop-in programs where the parents are on premises (i.e. playgroups, gym, church,
  etc.)

Accreditation

• National standards created by national groups to meet a higher level of quality.
• Set by professionals in Early Childhood Education; intended as standards of excellence
  that is most often higher than licensing regulations.
• Child care programs voluntarily become accredited as it is not mandated by law.
• Established to determine the best that can be provided to facilitate optimal growth
  and development.
• Staff engage in continued education and professional development.
• Annual report of changes and improvements.
• Accreditation expires/must be reaccredited.

Types of Accreditation

• National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)
  • Family child care homes
  • www. nafcc.org or call 1-800-359-3817
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
  • Child care centers, Kindergartens, public school preschools.
  • www.naeyc.org or call 1-800-424-2460
• National Early Childhood Program Accreditation
  • Child care Centers
  • www.necpa.net or call 1-855-706-3272
• National AfterSchool Association
  • School-Age programs
  • www.naaweb.org or call 1-800-617-8242

National Accreditation Commission For Early Child Care Education

Overview:

The National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAC) is a national accreditation program that provides early childhood leaders the chance to show and document quality performance by using evidence-based practices and research-based criteria. The accreditation was created for early care and education programs that are used to promote both professionalism and quality in Child Care.

Accreditation Process

The process involves a self-study component and a validation visit and review by the National Accreditation Commission for the definitive accreditation decision.

Eligibility Requirements

NAC provides accreditation to Child Care Centers.  Stand-alone School-Age programs and Family Child Care programs do not qualify for the NAC accreditation. For early Child Care and education programs that are applying for accreditation must be in compliance with state and local regulatory agencies. They also must meet the following guidelines:

• Programs must be in operation for at twelve continuous months at the time of the validation visit
• Programs are required to have a licensed capacity of at least 15 children and operate on a half or full-day basis
• The director of the program must hold this position for at least six months before submitting a request for an on-site visit

For the program to apply for accreditation each position must have the following educational requirements:

• A Director: The on-site administrator has a bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education/Child Development or a related field with 12 college credits in early childhood education/child development. Also, six college credit hours in program management/business administration or nine continuing education unites in business and at least one-year experience in administration of a Child Care program, and a minimum of two years of experience in teaching in an early Child Care and education class.
• On-site Supervisor: An on-site supervisor could be an assistant director, a program coordinator, and any other staff that has supervisory/ and or mentor responsibilities.  The Onsite Supervisory Staff is required to have an associate degree or higher in childhood development/childhood educator or a related field with 12 college credits in childhood development/childhood educator.  In addition to a minimum of two years of experience in an early childhood education and care classroom.
• Lead Teachers: Most lead teachers will possess an associate degree or higher with 12 college credits in early childhood education/child development and at least two years of experience in teaching in an early childhood education and care classroom.
• Assistant Teacher: Most of the assistant teachers/teacher aides at a Child Care center have a CDA credential.

How The Accreditation Process Works

It’s a must that programs spend a minimum of six months in the self-study process. Self-study is a detailed self-assessment of every aspect of the program, which includes an administration review, classroom observation, staff and family surveys, and professional progress plans.

For more detailed information about the NAC Accreditation program please visit the site or call the NAC Accreditation at 1-800-537-1118.

What does school accreditation give — how is accreditation of an educational institution, how to check accreditation

What is accreditation and why do schools need it

We explain what accreditation is in education, what it gives educational organizations and in which case a homeschooler needs an accredited school.

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What is school accreditation

Accreditation is a confirmation of compliance with federal state educational standards.

Before issuing accreditation, the quality and degree of students’ mastering of curricula, the organization of the educational process, the proposed disciplines are assessed, classrooms are examined, finances and documentation of the educational organization are studied. In addition, open lessons and sections of knowledge are held.

As part of the accreditation of an educational institution, schools undergo such checks every 12 years. However, if an educational organization has not received accreditation, this does not mean that it cannot teach children. The right to study is granted by a license to carry out educational activities. A school without accreditation cannot provide educational services for the main educational program, including attesting students.

What accreditation of an educational institution gives

It gives the school the opportunity to provide educational services for the main educational program, including conducting attestations and issuing state-recognized certificates.

This is why school accreditation is so important for homeschoolers. According to the law “On Education in the Russian Federation”, intermediate or final certification in family education is possible only in accredited schools.

How to find an accredited school

School accreditation ensures that its program meets state educational standards and the child receives a certificate of basic or secondary general education. Therefore, the search for an educational institution must be approached wisely.

When choosing an accredited school, use the register of the Federal Service for Supervision of Education and Science. After choosing a few schools that are convenient for you, take a look at their official websites. A certificate of state accreditation of the educational institution should be posted there, indicating the period of its validity. You can also visit the school in person and ask the administration to show a certificate.

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Be sure to read the reviews of the accredited schools you like. Ask homeschoolers you know how loyal these schools are to family education.

The place of study and certification in family education may not coincide. So, “Externship and Foxford Home School” gives excellent knowledge from grades 1 to 11 as part of an additional general education program. Students take certification for the main general education program in accredited schools.

Foxford Home School has partnered with Nashi Penates Moscow School and other accredited educational institutions. Thanks to this, students of an online home school can attach themselves to accredited educational organizations and pass intermediate assessments in comfortable conditions.

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