The Latest: Updates from NAEYC Higher Education Accreditation
You are here
Welcome to "The Latest" (ECE Higher Education "news you can use!"), a blog-like site of ongoing announcements posted by the NAEYC Higher Ed Team to help our higher education community stay informed of upcoming events, the most recent happenings, and information of interest impacting our work in ECE higher ed and accreditation. Check in anytime, scroll through, and catch up on "the latest!" For questions or for more information, reach out to [email protected]
(Note: "Semi-permanent" posts will be displayed at the top of the page and indicated by a thumbtack icon. Other posts will show the date posted just below the post title.)
Accreditation Handbook - 2025 Revision 
Pinned Announcement
At its summer 2025 meeting, the Commission approved minor revisions to the Accreditation Handbook, including removing the requirement for Year 2 Interim Reports. To download the newly revised handbook, please click here.
Updated Higher Education Accreditation Standards Now Available
Pinned Announcement
The 2025 Higher Education Accreditation standards reflect minor updates to the 2021 standards to support programs’ use of the standards. Programs can read more about the updates and the timeline for when they will go into effect in this memo, or watch this recorded webinar.
Head Start NPRM Public Comments
Posted June 3, 2026
As you may have seen, on May 12th the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a proposed rule for Head Start rescinding requirements from the 2024 final rule which aimed to improve Head Start staff wages and benefits. CLASP, CAP, NAEYC, and NWLC have developed a template to support the submission of a public comment in opposition of the proposed rule, which would undermine progress toward supporting the Head Start workforce, risk deteriorating the high standards Head Start is known for achieving, and strip access from some of the nation's most vulnerable families. It is important that HHS hears from you about how this proposed rule may impact you and your state, and that you add your unique perspective to this comment so that HHS will count it as a distinct individual submission. To help with this, the template includes opportunities to modify and personalize your response. Please see this submission guide for further instructions. Comments are due by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on June 11th, 2026.
Celebrate Centennial and WIN!
Posted May 8, 2026
If you are a current NAEYC member, in your member portal you can enter the Centennial Membership Sweepstakes! Prizes include NAEYC Annual Conference registration, a Book Library, a swag package, and a grand prize Lakeshore Classroom Enhancement plus a visit from CEO Michelle Kang. All possible with just one extra click. Sweepstakes runs through July 31. See here for official rules. (Disclaimer: Purchase of NAEYC membership, products, resources, or materials is not a requirement for earning NAEYC Higher Education Accreditation.)
Joint position statement on early childhood inclusion: Call for public comment
Posted April 29, 2026
The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children and NAEYC are in the midst of revising our joint position statement on inclusion. A draft is out for public comment, and we would love to hear from you. You can access the draft and the survey at this link.
April 2026 Higher Education Accreditation Newsletter
Posted April 28, 2026
Have you read our latest higher ed accreditation newsletter? If you missed it, you can catch up on the updates, reminders, and a special shout-out to our many valued volunteers here.
NAEYC's 2026 Higher Ed Book Catalog is Here
Posted April 21, 2026
Fall syllabi planning season is officially here, and so is the NAEYC 2026 Higher Ed Book Catalog. This is NAEYC's centennial year, which means the books in this catalog reflect 100 years of research, practice, and dedication to young children. Whether you're building a new course or refreshing an existing one, view the digital catalog to explore what's new, updated, and worth a second look for your fall lineup. (Disclaimer: Purchase of NAEYC products, resources, or materials is not a requirement for earning NAEYC Higher Education Accreditation.)
Faculty Newsletter Sign-Ups
Posted April 21, 2026
Did you know that in addition to the higher ed accreditation newsletters sent quarterly to program contacts in the accreditation system, you can also sign up to receive other NAEYC e-newsletters? From calls to action for ECE policy and advocacy to updates relevant specifically to ECE faculty to NAEYC Notes, there's something for everyone. Opt in to receive any or all of these free newsletters by signing up here.
Week of the Young Child Toolkit for Higher Education Faculty
Posted April 7, 2026
Week of the Young Child (WOYC), NAEYC’s signature public awareness campaign, is a natural teaching moment for ECE faculty. This toolkit can support higher ed faculty in bringing WOYC to life for students and helps us elevate and celebrate this 55th WOYC in 2026!
February 2026 Ask Me Anything Recording
Posted February 23, 2026
The recording of the Ask Me Anything session held on February 3 with NAEYC higher education staff and Commission members is now available in the "Webinar Recordings" section of the online resource library (you must be logged in to the resource library to view the recording).
The Compass: A Resource Guide for the Early Childhood Higher Education
Posted January 7, 2026
We are excited to share that a new comprehensive accreditation resource has just been released to support programs in our higher education accreditation community. No matter the stage of the accreditation process-- from just beginning, to waist deep in self-study, to maintaining accreditation or even working towards renewal-- this resource provides helpful guidance and navigation to other applicable accreditation resources. The Compass is a great companion to the Higher Education Accreditation Standards and the Accreditation Policies and Procedures Handbook to help guide the way. Check it out here or via the Online Accreditation Resource library.
Revised Key Assessment Resource Now Available
Posted November 17, 2025
One of our most popular resources, "Creating Key Assessments: Practical Guidance for Designing Key Assessments that Align with NAEYC Standards" has been revised to better align with updated higher education accreditation standards, templates, and policies. Visit the online accreditation resource library to download the revised copy of this resource (you must be logged in to the resource library to access the resource).
Webinar Recording: Revised Code of Ethics for Early Childhood Educators
Posted October 10, 2025; updated October 28
On October 15, NAEYC celebrated Global Ethics Day with the launch of the revised Code of Ethics for Early Childhood Educators, a cornerstone resource that supports early childhood educators in navigating ethical decisions and upholding professional integrity in their daily work. Watch the recorded webinar of the launch to explore the updated Code of Ethics, hear directly from workgroup representatives about key revisions, and learn practical ways to use it to guide your daily work with children, families, and colleagues.
New Resource: Two Sets of Standards, One Goal
Posted September 2, 2025
Wondering about how the higher education accreditation standards and the Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators intersect within the accreditation process? Check out this new infographic discussing the two sets of standards and their one common goal: strengthening the early childhood education profession.
Now Available: Professional Standards and Competencies Online Resource Library
Posted Mar. 19, 2025
We are excited to share with our higher ed accreditation community that NAEYC has now launched the Professional Standards and Competencies Online Resource Library, a searchable database that curates a variety of free, accessible, quality resources (e.g., articles, videos, blog posts, books, book chapters, modules) that are related to and align with the Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators. It is designed to support higher education faculty teaching early childhood education related coursework and those in the field providing training, mentoring and other professional development and technical assistance to early childhood educators serving our profession.
Webinar Recap- Credit Where Credit is Due: Utilizing the Child Development Associate® Credential (CDA) in ECE Credit for Prior Learning Strategies
Posted Feb. 14, 2025
Thank you to those who joined last week's webinar hosted by NAEYC and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) that focused on expanding the use of credit for prior learning (CPL) in ECE higher education programs. This webinar unpacked how the CDA, a prevalent and valued credential in the ECE workforce, is often recognized for credit in higher education. Presenters highlighted a state-wide model that recognizes the CDA for credit across its institutions, current and upcoming resources from the Council for Professional Recognition to support recognizing the CDA for credit, and lessons learned from other professions and industries where workforce credentials are used in credit for prior learning pathways. Watch the recording here.
New Report: Credit Where Credit is Due - Expanding Credit for Prior Learning in ECE Higher Education Programs
Posted Jan. 7, 2025
NAEYC and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) are partnering on a series of resources to support ECE higher education programs and policymakers in implementing and expanding ECE college credit for recognizing competencies gained from prior learning and professional experiences. This first report in the series highlights important elements of credit for prior learning (CPL) and explores the CPL landscape in ECE higher education programs. You can also access a recording of a November webinar that previewed the report and features institutions of higher education that are offering CPL in their ECE preparation programs.
Online Resource Library Transition
Posted December 16, 2024
We’re pleased to announce the launch of our new easier-to-navigate hub for all accreditation guidance documents, templates, on-demand trainings, and more! Current primary and secondary program contacts, peer reviewers, and Commissioners received an email in early November 2024 containing access instructions.
New Resource Library link to bookmark: Higher Education Accreditation Resource Library
Password: see email sent to program primary and secondary contacts, peer reviewers, and Commissioners in early November 2024, or contact NAEYC staff at [email protected].
Recording Now Available for “Stepping Up & Stepping Up: Investing in Competencies, Credentials and Compensation”
Posted Dec. 13, 2024
On December 10, NAEYC and TEACH National Center hosted a webinar featuring ECE students, instructors and the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, to learn more about how educators and instructors see the importance and impact of competencies earned on a clear pathway of credentials, degrees, and compensation. Panelists included Hosea Bates, Michael Marzette, and Toshiba Adams from Milwaukee Area Technical College in Wisconsin, Alora Zargo and Kim Freeman from Windham Regional Career Center in Vermont, and Jenna Knight from the Center for the Study on Child Care Employment. Watch the recording here!
Credit Where Credit is Due: Expanding Credit for Prior Learning in ECE Higher Education Webinar Recording Now Available
Posted Dec. 11, 2024
NAEYC and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) are partnering on a series of reports and webinars to support ECE higher education programs and policymakers in implementing and expanding ECE credit for prior learning opportunities. Click here to access a recording of the first webinar. The first report is expected in late December.
Accreditation Policy Updates: Standards Transition Deadlines
Posted September 1, 2024
If your program is preparing a Response-to-Conditions report (Year 1, 2, or 3) for conditions cited under the 2010 standards, please remember that beginning in Spring 2025, aligning key assessments to the 2020 Professional Standards and Competencies, submitting six key assessments (for key assessment conditions), and submitting an updated learning opportunities chart (for programs that have key assessment alignment conditions) will be required.
Please reach out to staff at [email protected] with any questions about what may be required and/or advisable for your program.
In addition, all Year 4 Interim Reports are now required to align learning opportunities and key assessments with one of the 2020 Professional Standards and Competencies (it is OK if candidate performance data were collected from versions of assessments previously aligned with the 2010 standards).
Programs anticipating challenges submitting reports by their scheduled deadline may submit an extension request form in accordance with the extension policies found in the Accreditation Handbook.
For more information, see the September 2024 newsletter.