Steps and Requirements to achieve NAEYC Accreditation

When the program submits its completed Candidacy Materials**, the program is eligible to become a Candidate for NAEYC Accreditation.

Purpose:
To ensure that the program has the capacity to support quality and to increase the possibility of a successful site visit. Through candidacy, NAEYC is establishing baseline requirements that must be met before the Academy arranges a site visit. These baseline requirements address fundamental aspects of program quality that are essential to the accountability of NAEYC Accreditation.

Tasks for Programs

• Meet candidacy requirements
• Submit Candidacy Materials and candidacy fee by your chosen Candidacy due date. Programs will have received those Candidacy Materials eight weeks prior to their chosen Candidacy due date.
  • Click here for a sample of Candidacy Materials.
• Prepare for the site visit by NAEYC Academy.
• Continue to gather evidence of performance and make improvements.
  
  

**Once a program submits the Candidacy Materials, the NAEYC Academy screens them to determine the program’s readiness for a site visit. Programs that successfully complete this step are considered Candidates for NAEYC Accreditation and can expect a site visit within six months.

The Council for NAEYC Accreditation provides a formal appeal process for programs that receive a denial of Candidacy.