National Association for Family Child Care Accreditation Process

NAFCC's Accreditation is designed to be a continuum of professional development and quality improvement.

Self-Study Enrollment

During self-study, providers evaluate themselves and their programs using the Quality Standards for NAFCC Accreditation, make quality improvements, and gather required documentation.

Application

When candidates believe they have reached their professional development goals and have made the necessary quality improvements in their programs, they commit to completing accreditation by submitting an accreditation application. At this time, NAFCC assesses candidate eligibility.

Observation

NAFCC trained observers conduct observations of candidates and their programs. The observer gathers information based on the Quality Standards and objectively documents what is observed.

Decision

NAFCC reviews documentation from the observer and the candidate, as well as data from the parent surveys, and uses that information to determine the candidate's accreditation status.

Annual Renewals

Annual renewals offer a way for accredited providers to update NAFCC about their programs during the accreditation period. As part of annual renewals, providers will regularly assess themselves and their programs to ensure continuous compliance with the Quality Standards for NAFCC Accreditation. They will also verify that they continue to meet all eligibility requirements. In addition, providers will share their professional development activities and quality improvements they have completed during the year.

Annual Renewals are the equivalent of self-study enrollment when accredited providers apply for re-accreditation before accreditation expires.

Re-accreditation

If an accredited provider has successfully completed both annual renewals, the accreditation process begins at the application step. The re-accreditation process begins at self-study enrollment, if annual renewals were not completed, if accreditation has expired, or if the provider chooses to enroll in self-study.