Standard 10: NAEYC Accreditation Criteria for Leadership and Management Standard

Program Standard: The program effectively implements policies, procedures, and systems that support stable staff and strong personnel, fiscal, and program management so all children, families, and staff have high-quality experiences.

Rationale: Excellent programming requires effective governance structures, competent and knowledgeable leadership, as well as comprehensive and well-functioning administrative policies, procedures, and systems. Effective leadership and management create the environment for high-quality care and education by

• ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and guidelines;
• promoting fiscal soundness, program accountability, effective communication, helpful consultative services, positive community relations, and comfortable and supportive workplaces;
• maintaining stable staff; and
• instituting ongoing program planning and career development opportunities for staff as well as continuous program improvement.

Within each of the 10 NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standards are topic areas that highlight the big ideas to more fully express the meaning and value of the standard. Each topic area includes criteria that further define the meaning of quality in that area. The topic areas are identified by letters (A, B, C, etc.). The number of topic areas within a standard varies. The following chart presents the topic areas for this standard. Click on the topic area to link to the accreditation criteria.

Topic Area

10.A.
Leadership

10.B.
Management Policies and Procedures

10.C.
Fiscal Accountability Policies and Procedures

10.D.
Health, Nutrition, and Safety Policies and Procedures

10.E.
Personnel Policies

10.F.
Program Evaluation, Accountability, and Continuous Improvement