Q1: For how long is a program’s enrollment valid?
Programs that have enrolled in Self-Study on or following December, 2005 will remain enrolled until they successfully earn NAEYC Accreditation by receiving a decision of "accredited" following the Site Visit. All enrolled programs are responsible for staying informed of any changes to the system as they are provided to programs via the Program Record , NAEYC Accreditation Newsletters, and TORCH.
Q2: How long after the submission of the Enrollment form will a program receive the Self-Study Kit?
It typically takes 4-6 weeks from the submission of the Enrollment form and fee for programs to receive the Self-Study Kit. Programs may utilize resources available in TORCH to get started on their Self-Study while they wait for the Self-Study Kit to arrive.
Q3: Can the Enrollment form be faxed or submitted online?
NAEYC requires that enrollment forms and full payment be submitted to NAEYC by mail to the post office box indicated on the Enrollment form. Enrollment forms submitted via fax or email will not be accepted at this time. NAEYC accepts the postmark date of the Enrollment form as the submission date. NAEYC recommends that programs obtain written confirmation of receipt of all forms sent to NAEYC P.O. Boxes. Please discuss tracking options with your local Post Office. NAEYC is not able to sign for materials that are delivered to a P.O. Box by an individual courier such as UPS or FedEx.
Q4: Can a program skip Enrollment and move directly to Step 2: Application / Self-Assessment if it already has a Self-Study Kit?
All programs seeking initial accreditation and all programs accredited prior to January 2007 must complete the Enrollment form before submitting an Application. Programs that have obtained the Self-Study Kit through any means other than the submission of an Enrollment form have not completed Step 1: Enrollment / Self-Study and may not move on to Step 2: Application / Self-Assessment.
More information about enrollment and reaccreditation for programs accredited after January 2007 will be shared via the Accreditation E-Update and this website.
Q5: Can a program submit an Enrollment form and an Application at the same time?
If a program is willing to commit to a Candidacy due date and complete the Self-Assessment within a defined timeframe, the Enrollment form and Application can be submitted at the same time. While it is not recommended, this option is available for programs pursuing accreditation on an accelerated timeframe. Programs should review the Tools for Self-Assessment in the TORCH Resource Library before committing to a Candidacy due date upon submission of the Application.
Programs that wish to submit an Enrollment form and an Application at the same time should adhere to the following procedures:
1. Send the Enrollment form and Application together in one envelope and mail it to the P.O. Box indicated on the Application form.
2. Make sure to include a note with your Application stating that you are submitting your Enrollment and Application forms together. You may include one check or purchase order to cover the cost of both Enrollment and Application.
3. A question on the Application states: My program has been enrolled in Self-Study (Step 1). Staff is familiar with the Self-Study kit and is in the final stages of the self-study process at this time. Even though the program will not have received the Self-Study Kit at this time, this box must be checked. By checking this box, your program is committed to reviewing the Self-Study Kit once it is received.
Q6: Can a program add sites or change the grouping of its sites after it has submitted the Enrollment form?
The multi-site rules that are published in the Enrollment form must be met in order for any program to add or regroup sites. A program that is not currently accredited can include the addition or regrouping of sites included in its accreditation when it submits the Application as a part of Step 2. A program that is not currently accredited that wishes to add or regroup sites between the submission of the Application (Step 2) and the site visit (Step 4) should contact Accreditation Program Support to determine if this change can be accommodated. An administrative processing fee of $100 per site change will apply if sites are added or regrouped.
Currently accredited programs that wish to add or regroup sites must self report this major programmatic change and may be subject to additional verification. Read more about currently accredited programs adding or regrouping sites.
If your questions are not addressed on this website, reference the FAQ Master Document or contact Accreditation Program Support for assistance.
