As an IACET Accredited Provider, NAEYC is offering IACET CEUs for its 2026 Pre-Conference Workshops in compliance with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. Click here for FAQs. Attendees registered for a Pre-Conference workshop will receive more information via email in the coming months.

Pre-Conference Workshops

Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Friday, December 4, 2026

Higher Education Faculty Workshop: Completing the NAEYC Higher Education Accreditation Process for Associate, Bachelor's, and Initial-Master's Degree Programs in Colleges & Universities
 

Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fees: $275 for members; $300 for nonmember 
Description:  This full-day workshop is designed to familiarize and better equip faculty working in higher education associate, bachelor's and/or initial-master's degree programs who are engaging for the first time in the NAEYC Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs system OR are new faculty members in currently accredited higher education (college/university) programs that may be preparing for renewal. In addition to the Self-Study Report template and accreditation resources, this workshop will focus on the NAEYC Higher Education Accreditation Standards including the Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators; creating aligned key assessment instructions and rubrics; and collecting and using candidate performance data to improve higher education programs.  

Note: For faculty experienced with the higher education accreditation system and seeking higher education accreditation related professional development (i.e., faculty preparing renewal self-study reports, meeting interim reporting requirements, or responding to conditions) please see the related concurrent sessions planned during Annual Conference.

Learning Outcomes:  By the end of this session, participants should be able to: 

• identify the overall process/steps of the NAEYC Higher Ed. Accreditation system 
• gain an understanding of the NAEYC Higher Education Accreditation Standards and the Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators and apply them within higher education accreditation processes 
• align Learning Opportunities and Key Assessments to the Professional Standards & Competencies 
• recognize and utilize features of high-quality rubrics 
• identify strategies for candidate performance data collection & analysis 
• utilize the accreditation self-study template 
• locate and employ additional resources to support their accreditation journey

Participants can earn 0.7 CEUs

Navigating NAEYC's New ELP Accreditation System: From Application to Site Visit

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Fee: $275 for members; $300 for nonmembers

Description: This session provides a comprehensive overview of NAEYC’s new ELP accreditation system. Participants will learn the differences between document-based and observation-based assessment items across the system’s tiers and gain practical guidance on preparing evidence for applications and the site visit experience. The session also includes an in-depth review of the site visit process to help programs feel confident and well-prepared.  

Learning outcomes:

• Describe the differences between document-based and observation-based assessment items across the accreditation tiers. 
• Prepare evidence and documentation that align with application requirements and site visit expectations. 
• Identify key steps to determine program readiness and plan for a successful site visit. 

Participants can earn 0.6 CEUs

Saturday, December 5

Affiliate Leadership Day at Annual Conference
        

Time: 7:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Fees: $60 for Affiliate Staff and Board Members

Description: *REGISTRATION BY INVITATION ONLY* Join colleagues from across the country as we exchange new ideas and strategies, renew relationships, share success stories and challenges, and help to envision what lies ahead. We look forward to hosting Leadership Day on Saturday, December 5th. A detailed agenda will be available in October.

Breakfast and lunch are provided. For questions, please contact Travis Davis ([email protected]) and Jordan Christian ([email protected])

This event is not eligible for IACET CEUs