My program is currently accredited, will we renew under the current system or the new system?

Programs with Valid Until Date = Thru February 1, 2026 (4th Annual Report submitted Feb. 1 2025 or earlier) will renew under CURRENT System & Standards. Programs with Valid Until Date = March 1, 2026 or later (4th Annual Report submitted Mar. 1 2025 or later) will renew under NEW System and Standards.

My program is not accredited yet, how will we transition into the new system?

Programs at Candidate status by February 15, 2025 will receive a site visit and assessed under CURRENT system and standards. Programs at Registered, Enrolled, Applicant status at launch of the new system will need to submit for "Recognition" to proceed. Any program at Enrolled or Applicant status at time of launch will receive a FREE application for Recognition within the new system. Programs that are Applicants at time of launch will also receive a 50% discount for their Accreditation application. Programs are eligible for these discounts for 12 months following launch of the new system. 

My program is currently accredited, what tier will we be in the new system?

Accredited programs in good standing will transition to the Accreditation+ tier. Programs can choose a different tier at the next renewal.

How long is the term for each of the Tiers? 

Recognition terms are one year in length. Accreditation and Accreditation+ terms are five years in length. 

What is the benefit of doing Accreditation+ vs Accreditation?

Accreditation+ includes increased quality assurance protocols that are intended for programs that want or need increased accountability due to state or local requirements, or personal goals.

Some program's valid until dates will be adjusted to provide time for implementation of the new system and to allow sufficient time for programs to become familiar with the new system requirements. If programs had not requested an extension prior to this adjustment, the program will still be eligible to request an extension in the future, if needed. If a program with a VUD of 12/1/25, 1/1/26 or 2/1/26 would prefer to keep their original VUD so that they renew in the current system, please contact the Accreditation support team.

The following outlines the full list of VUDs that will be adjusted. PLEASE NOTE that NOT all programs will have a VUD adjustment; this is only intended for those with a timeframe that align with the new system launch.

Will there be a transition period where programs can choose which system they want to go through? 

All currently accredited programs will transition to the Accreditation+ tier when the new system rolls out. Programs can move to another tier during their renewal via the portal, or at the next annual report date by contacting the ELP Support Team.

How far in advance will the changes be shared for programs coming through the first time?  

New content is currently available at the top of the Planned Changes webpage. The revised Policy Handbook for the new system will be released in early 2025. We will continue to add information to the Planned Changes webpage as it is available. Please register to receive Program News to ensure you receive all updates. 

Should programs wait until the new system launches to start their accreditation process? 

We encourage programs to continue their accreditation journey in the current system while we build the new one. Programs at Candidate status by February 15, 2025 will receive a site visit and assessed under CURRENT system and standards. Programs at Registered, Enrolled, Applicant status at launch of the new system will need to submit for "Recognition" to proceed. Any program at Enrolled or Applicant status at time of launch will receive a FREE application for Recognition within the new system. Programs that are Applicants at time of launch will also receive a 50% discount for their Accreditation application. Programs are eligible for these discounts for 12 months following launch of the new system. 

Will the new accreditation be recognized by my state QRIS system? 

NAEYC staff are communicating with each state to share the changes coming and work with them to continue supporting accreditation. Each state has its own system and will make decisions based on their unique circumstances.  

I am currently accredited.  How will the new system recognize my current accreditation? 

Thank you for your commitment to quality!  Currently accredited programs will transition to the Accreditation+ tier. Specific communication will be sent to accredited programs soon that will provide specific details on how the new system will impact their program.

Can a program be outside the United States receive Recognition status? 

NAEYC Early Learning Program Accreditation will continue to be primarily US-focused. The only exception to this is early learning programs found on US military bases overseas. 

Can non-center-based programs, including schools, outdoor nature-based programs, and family child care settings, participate in NAEYC's Quality Assessment and Accreditation system? 

Yes. NAEYC believes that high quality early childhood education can be provided in all settings, but we have been rightly held to account for the ways in which this belief has not been sufficiently reflected in our actions, and in our own systems and structures. While some FCC homes and public school classrooms have earned NAEYC accreditation over the past decades, the ELP accreditation system had not been structured for true inclusivity. In the revised system, and in response to requests to do better with respect to inclusivity, we are working hold ourselves accountable for making ELP accreditation more accessible and equitable, expanding high-quality early learning opportunities for all children, particularly those from communities with limited access to resources. 

My program is in Applicant status. How long do we have to get to Candidacy if we want to be assessed under the current system?

Programs that are in “Applicant” status must declare Candidacy by Feb. 15, 2025, to be assessed under the current system OR they need to come in under the new system after launch.

My program is coming up for renewal, but we would like an extension so we have more time to prepare. What options do we have?

If there has been no previous extension and the program is requesting a VUD extension, programs are eligible to pay for an extension. Based on the adjusted 6-month window, NAEYC will confirm whether the program is eligible for a 6-month or 12-month extension, based on the 6-month window guidance above. 

Is it required to be at Recognition for 1 year before applying for Accreditation?

No, a program that has been awarded Recognition status can immediately apply for Accreditation.

What impact does the new tiered system have on CCAoA subsidy programs?

NAEYC is working closely with CCAoA to understand the impact of the new system to existing requirements for subsidy programs. More information will be available soon.

What if I have submitted for enrollment/applicant/candidacy in the current system when the new system rolls out? 

Programs that have submitted for Candidacy before February 15, 2025 will be assessed under the current system. Any program that is Registered, Enrolled or an Applicant by February 15, 2025 will need to apply for Recognition to process in the new system.

If I can't submit my Candidacy before the change, will any of the funds I paid be applied to the cost for submitting in the new system?

Programs that are at Applicant status by February 15, 2025 will be eligible for a 50% discount on the application for Recognition. There will also be a discount to apply for Accreditation. Discounts will expire 12 months following launch of the new system (February 28, 2026).

How will parents know what the differences are between the different tiers?

What is the fee structure for each level? 

Click here to view the new proposed fee structure.

Can you share an example of how much a program with 65 children would be charged if they want to go to Accreditation+?

For a program with 65 children who is interested in working towards Accreditation+ in the new system after March 2025, the following are the fees they should expect to pay:
Recognition Fee - due at the time of submission of documentation for Recognition status.
If program stays here to work towards Accreditation, they would incur this fee annually. $400

Annual Accreditation Fee - due at the  time of submission of documentation for Accreditation status.
If program stays here, they would incur this fee annually. $750

Accreditation+ Fee - due when a program wishes to upgrade to Accreditation+ from Accreditation.
If a program wishes to renew at Accreditation+, this fee would be due when a renewal application is submitted for a new 5-year term. $2000

Annual Accreditation+ Fee - due annually at the start of the next annual report after Accreditation+ status is awarded (after successful site visit).

If a program stays at Accreditation+, they will pay this fee annually. $950

Will there still be Required Assessment items? 

At all three Tiers, there will remain some assessment items that will be required. 

Are the Assessment Items changing in any way? 

The existing accreditation standards and assessment items have been thoroughly reviewed with the intent to reduce complexity, improve accessibility, and increase NAEYC’s ability to provide meaningful and actionable feedback to participating programs and providers. These goals will be accomplished without compromising the rigor or integrity of the assessment system overall and will provide a wider diversity of programs and providers opportunities to engage with NAEYC.

•  Recognition content will be focused on identifying the key policy components and baseline practices upon which high quality early learning experiences and environments can be built. There will be fewer barriers to entry and clearly defined pathways for programs and providers that have interest in becoming accredited. The assessment process for Recognition will be entirely based on document review.
•  Accreditation content will also be streamlined to include fewer, but still meaningful and rigorous assessment items. Additionally, there will be new opportunities for programs and providers to uplift and highlight unique characteristics.  Like Recognition, a review of documentary evidence will be the basis upon which an accreditation decision is initially granted. However, accredited programs will remain accountable to maintaining high quality practices overtime through ongoing quality assurance measures, including unannounced site visits. 
•  Accreditation+ content is the same as the Accreditation tier, but there are higher requirements for ongoing engagement with quality assurance.

Are there different assessment items that must be met for Accreditation+?

No. The assessment items for Accreditation+ are the same as Accreditation. There is a required site visit and increased accountability protocols for Accreditation+.

What tools will be used with the new assessment of Accreditation +?

New assessment tools have been posted to the Planned Changes webpage. There are three tools: Recognition Application Tool, Accreditation Application Tool and Accreditation Observation Tool.

My staff are asking if there is a different format for the portfolios or are they to use the 2022 format for age groups and program portfolios?

Yes. In the new system, there will be a different approach to portfolios with all documentation submitted through an online system, that is aligned to the evidence types across the new revised items. We are working on guidance on how your team can best prepare existing portfolios for the transition and plan to have that available later this fall.

Are all the items that will be assessed listed in the Quality Assessment & Accreditation System Content tool? Or are there additional items that may be assessed listed elsewhere?

All assessment items in the revised system are included in the "Quality Assessment & Accreditation System Content V3". There have been 3 revised Assessment Tools released - that includes the items PLUS the guidance, they are separated by:

• *Recognition Application Tool (all Documentation-based items)
• *Accreditation Application (all Documentation-based items)
• *Accreditation Observation Tool (all Observation-based Items)

How do we determine where each item will be located when assessed (e.g. Application, program portfolio, classroom portfolio, SWPP, etc.)?

All documentation-based items will be electronically submitted via the new online portal. The "Quality Assessment & Accreditation System Content V3" includes all the assessment items. The "Evidence Type" column will indicate how the evidence will be submitted: Narrative Description, Family Handbook, Staff Handbook, Show & Describe & Observation.

We noticed that the document provided in May and this current document look quite different. Do you anticipate there being large shifts between now and March 2025 when the content is finalized?

No, we do not anticipate any major changes to the assessment items before launch, however, the guidance included in the tools may be revised based-on learnings from the pilots currently in process.

At which tier and when do programs receive an onsite visit for classroom observations? Will the protocols stay the same for completing Classroom observations? 

NAEYC is building a re-imagined accreditation system. At the Accreditation tier, programs will be eligible to receive random site visits throughout the term. At Accreditation+ all programs will receive an onsite visit and will be eligible to receive random site visits throughout the term New tools and protocols will be developed over the next few months. 

What are the protocols for a random visit? What happens to a program during a random visit and what are the requirements to maintain accreditation? 

Accreditation and Accreditation+ programs will be subject to Random Visits. An assessor will arrive at the program unannounced and conduct classroom observations in addition to several assessment items observed throughout the program space. No portfolio evidence will be reviewed as part of this Random Visit process. 

The specific scoring requirements will be announced once the revised assessment tools have been evaluated for validity and reliability through a pilot process.  

Will all programs receive a scheduled site visit at least once in order to achieve “Accreditation”?  

No. At the accreditation level, no observation part is required to become accredited. Programs that pass the documentation part of the assessment will be granted a full 5-year accreditation term.

This accreditation will be conditional on passing any and all random visits. Random visits will take place on an ongoing basis. As the name suggests, these visits will be random throughout the time that a program is accredited and may take place at any time (though programs will be able to show when they are closed or not serving children).  

•  Many accredited programs will be randomly selected for a visit once in their accreditation term.  
•  Some programs will be randomly selected more than once for a visit in their accreditation term. 
•  Some programs may not be selected for a random visit during their accreditation term.

NAEYC’s randomization system is designed such that the longer an accredited program goes without a random visit, the higher the likelihood of being selected for a visit. 

What if an assessor comes for a random visit on a day we are closed? 

NAEYC is developing policies and protocols that will guide random visits under the new system and will share more information once available.

In Accreditation+, will programs have a 6-month window and then 15-day window similar to what folks are familiar with?  Or will there be a different way of giving the program notice?

NAEYC is working to operationalize the required site visit in the new system and more information will be available soon.

Will we need to create a new account on the portal when it launches? 

All current users will be migrated into the new online portal, along with all program relationships. Users will need to complete a password reset to get into the new portal after launch. It is recommended that all users review the information to confirm accuracy and populate any new fields that exist.

Who are the intended users of the new online portal?

The new portal is intended for program leadership and administrative staff that support or are responsible for programs that are working towards Accreditation. Educators and teaching staff may have NAEYC Portal accounts for membership, but they would not necessarily be a user in the ELP Hub portion of the portal.