Q1: What is the difference between Self-Study and Self-Assessment?

Self-Study and Self-Assessment are two distinct steps that serve different purposes.  Self-Study and Self-Assessment are structured differently to help your program meet the unique goals identified in these first two steps of the NAEYC Accreditation process.  The chart below highlights the differences between Self-Study and Self-Assessment.

Some programs choose to move through Self-Study and Self-Assessment simultaneously in order to move through the NAEYC Accreditation process on an accelerated timetable. This can be achieved if programs submit the Enrollment form and Application at the same time.

Q2: Where can programs find the tools to complete Self-Assessment?

Programs can access the tools for Self-Assessment in the TORCH Resource Library within folder 4. Tools for Self-Assessment. Programs that have an edition of the Self-Study Kit that was published earlier than 2008 should no longer utilize the tools from the CD-Rom included in the Self-Study Kit.  

Q3: When must a program’s Self-Assessment be complete?

The Candidacy Materials require programs to report on the evidence that is compiled during Step 2: Application/Self-Assessment. Programs should complete the entire Self-Assessment in order to be prepared to complete the Candidacy Materials when they are made available eight weeks prior to the Candidacy due date that was selected in the Application. Once the Candidacy Materials are submitted, programs can continue to refine the evidence that was collected during Self-Assessment in preparation for a site visit.

Q4: Must programs with satellite locations prepare one Program Portfolio for each satellite location included in its NAEYC Accreditation?

No. A program with satellite locations should prepare a single program portfolio for the overall program, which includes applicable satellite locations. The Program Portfolio must be a comprehensive representation of all satellite locations included in the program’s NAEYC Accreditation. Note that if a program has groups located in satellite locations, each satellite location must meet the Satellite Location Requirements.

Q5:  What will be accepted as current evidence in the Program Portfolio and Classroom Portfolios?

Portfolio evidence is current if it reflects a policy, practice, or document that is currently in effect or has been documented within 12 months of the program’s Candidacy or Renewal Materials due date. 

Portfolio evidence may be older than 12 months and still reflect a policy, practice, or document that is currently in effect. Please note the following examples:

• An excerpt from a Parent Handbook that was published more than 12 months prior to the program’s Candidacy or Renewal Materials due date may be used as evidence in the Program Portfolio if the policies are currently followed by the program. 

• A photograph of a child planting a garden that was taken more than 12 months prior to the program’s Candidacy or Renewal Materials due date may be used as photographic evidence in the Classroom Portfolio if the group plants a garden each spring as a part of its curriculum. 

Q6: Can multiple groups create one shared Classroom Portfolio?

The Classroom Portfolio must be a current and authentic representation of how criteria are met by the group to which it applies.  There are instances in which one Classroom Portfolio can apply to multiple groups.  Refer to Streamlining Classroom Portfolios within the TORCH Resource Library, folder 4. Tools for Self-Assessment for more information.

Q7: How can a program demonstrate compliance with a criterion if evidence of how the program meets the criterion is stored off-site or is confidential in nature, and therefore unavailable to an NAEYC Assessor?

If evidence is stored off-site or contains confidential information that cannot be viewed by assessors, a notarized letter must be provided. The notarized letter must:

• Be prepared by the authorized agency or individual responsible for the documentation;

• Clearly identify the criterion for which it is being substituted;

• Verify the existence and location of the document(s);

• Provide information related to meeting the criterion for which it is being used as supporting evidence (for example, in a program with 26 children enrolled, evidence for Criterion 5.A.01 shows that all records have current information about health insurance coverage, 24 of the 26 files have results of health examination, etc.); and

• Include a blank copy of the form used or one in which any identifying information has been marked out.

View a sample letter.

Q8: For how long after they have been conducted are Teaching Staff and Family Surveys for Self-Assessment valid?

Teaching Staff Surveys and Family Surveys for Self-Assessment must be conducted within 12 months of a program’s Candidacy due date. 

Q9: Can Teaching Staff and Family Surveys for Self-Assessment be conducted multiple times?

There is no limit to the number of times the Teaching Staff Surveys and Family Surveys for Self-Assessment may be conducted. Programs should report on the results of the most recently conducted Self-Assessment surveys in the Candidacy Materials, and should provide the results of the most recently conducted Self-Assessment surveys to an NAEYC Assessor during the site visit.

Q10: What percentage of the Teaching Staff and Family Surveys for Self-Assessment must be returned for the results to be valid?

Programs must receive at least 80 percent of all Teaching Staff Surveys distributed and 50 percent of all Family Surveys for the results to be valid.

Q11: How does NAEYC determine if a criterion is met based on the results of the Teaching Staff and Family Surveys for Self-Assessment?

At least 75 percent of the responses to all questions related to a particular criterion must be positive in order for the criterion to be met. ‘Yes’ answers are considered positive responses.  A failure to respond, ‘No’, or ‘Don’t Know’ responses are considered negative responses.  ‘Not Applicable’ responses are not counted in the calculation of the overall score.  

The survey results spreadsheets in the TORCH Resource Library include two worksheets. The first is entitled “Overall Responses” and should be used to enter raw data from the surveys. The second is entitled “Scores for Criteria” and automatically calculates scores for all criteria based on the raw data from the “Overall Responses” worksheet. A score of at least 75 percent on the “Scores for Criteria” worksheet indicates that the criterion is met.

Q12: Who is responsible for completing the Observable Criteria Tool for Self-Assessment?

During Self-Assessment, any individual can use the Observable Criteria tool to conduct observations. Programs commonly assign this task to the program administrator. Other appropriate individuals include, but are not limited to, program teaching staff, family members of enrolled children, and local early childhood professionals. 

The Observable Criteria Tool is designed to help your program prepare to meet Observable Criteria during the site visit. The results of these observations will be reported on within the Candidacy Materials, but the Observable Criteria Tool will not be evaluated during the site visit. During the site visit, an NAEYC Assessor will conduct his or her own observations to determine if criteria are met.

If your questions are not addressed on this website, reference the FAQ Master Document or contact Accreditation Program Support for assistance.