Early Learning Program Quality Assessment & Accreditation Structure
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Setting the National Standard for High-Quality Early Learning
NAEYC’s Early Learning Program Quality Assessment and Accreditation system is designed to support continuous improvement for all early learning settings. Whether you are leading a center-based program, a family child care home, or a multi-site provider, this system provides a structured yet flexible pathway to achieve and maintain high-quality learning environments.
Accreditation signals to families, educators, and policymakers that a program is committed to excellence, research-based practices, and ongoing professional development—helping to strengthen the field of early childhood education nationwide.
Accreditation Tiered Model
NAEYC’s accreditation model features three progressive tiers, ensuring more programs can engage, improve, and demonstrate their commitment to quality. This model features three progressive tiers, ensuring more programs can engage, improve, and demonstrate their commitment to quality.
Recognition
A foundational tier that establishes key policies and structures to build a high-quality learning environment.
Accreditation
A full accreditation tier that includes quality assurance measures and a review of policies, structures, and practices with potential site visits.
Accreditation+
The highest accountability tier, including mandatory site visits, ongoing review, and additional quality benchmarks. Programs can move through these tiers at their own pace—building toward Accreditation and Accreditation+ as they strengthen their practice.
Benefits and Enhancements
A Streamlined and Less Time-Intensive Process
Programs previously reported spending hundreds of hours preparing accreditation portfolios. The new model:
- Reduces assessment items by nearly 50% (from 375 to 200) for Accreditation.
- Eliminates redundant documentation requirements and focuses on meaningful quality indicators.
- Introduces a simplified digital submission process, replacing paper-based portfolios with an intuitive online portal.
More Affordable & Predictable Costs
Accreditation should be attainable for programs of all sizes. With this in mind, NAEYC has:
- Reduced upfront costs for initial accreditation by an average of $1,500 over five years.
- Consolidated payment steps to make budgeting simpler and more predictable.
- Introduced scaled fees based on program size to ensure fairness and affordability.
Greater Accessibility for Diverse Program Types
This model was designed to welcome a wider range of early learning settings, including:
- Public and Private School Districts
- Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf programs
- Family child care homes
- Nature-based and outdoor-focused programs
- Faith-based and multi-age early learning settings
Enhanced Technology & Portal Experience
The accreditation portal provides:
- A modernized application process with digital tracking and progress updates.
- Faster feedback loops, enabling programs to make improvements in real time.
- One unified platform for document submission, training resources, and accreditation support.
Research-Based Standards: A Commitment to Excellence
NAEYC Accreditation is grounded in research and aligns with Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) to ensure high-quality, age-appropriate learning experiences. Accreditation standards focus on:
- Teaching & Curriculum – Supporting effective, inclusive, and research-based approaches in early childhood education.
- Family & Community Engagement – Strengthening partnerships between programs, families, and communities.
- Program Leadership & Continuous Improvement – Supporting strong leadership, professional development, and ongoing reflection.
Getting Started: Next Steps
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