Accreditation Tips and Tools
You are here
NAEYC Accreditation Assessment Items
2019 Assessment Item Updates:What You Need to Know
NAEYC Accreditation continuously collects feedback from programs and assessors to understand how well assessment items perform. Based on this analysis, we update guidance and/or select assessment items annually. The intent of the 2019 update is to implement changes to item language, guidance, and rating options that will clarify NAEYC’s expectations of best practice evidence, and improve the accuracy of assessors’ ratings.
Accreditation Tools
Conduct a Self Study
Whether you are new to accreditation or need a refresher, self-study is a great way to ensure that your staff and other stakeholders have a shared understanding of best practices and are able to reflect on your strengths and areas needing additional attention.
Use the resource below to plan your self-study journey.
Observation Tools
Begin to examine your environment and observable practices with the same tools accreditation assessors use to conduct site visits. These observation tools will help you find strengths (all programs have strengths!) and areas needing additional attention (all programs have these too!).
Use the resources below to observe and assess your program and classrooms. You may want to invite your teaching team and colleagues in your community to help observe and self-assess. The more the better!
Portfolio Tools
Begin to document evidence to showcase in your classroom and program portfolios. Collecting and documenting evidence for classroom and program portfolios will help you find strengths (all programs have them!) and areas needing additional attention (all programs have these too!).
Use the resources below to self-assess the evidence you’ve documented in your program and classrooms portfolios. You may want to invite your teaching team and colleagues in your community help document and self-assess evidence. The more the better!
Document and self-assess with classroom and program portfolio tools
Portfolio Labels
The labels below are offered as an optional resource for organizing evidence in your classroom and program portfolios. There is one label for each assessment item. These labels were designed to be used with Avery 5160 (1” x 2 5/8”) labels or a similar product. The use of these labels is not required.
Site Visit Protocols & Procedures
Accreditation is not about perfection. It is about continuously celebrating your program’s strength and addressing areas needing additional attention. It is also about demonstrating that your program meets the standards that guide your profession.
You and your team have worked hard to document this commitment to quality. You’ve reflected and made enhancements. Now is time for our trained and reliable assessors to review this evidence and provide external feedback.
Use the resources below to help prepare for your site visit. These resources share data and tips with lessons learned from NAEYC assessors, accreditation coaches, and program directors.
Need Help with Accreditation?
Call: 1-800-424-2460, option 3. | Email: accreditation.information@naeyc.org
Share your feedback about NAEYC Accreditation and help us improve!
Submit feedback on the accreditation system.