Accredited homes and centers voluntarily measure up to national standards of quality that have been established by national organizations.

Programs that are accredited have gone beyond minimum licensing standards and have made a commitment to provide the kind of care, attention, and stimulating activities for children. There are several national organizations which provide accreditation:

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
For more than 80 years, the National Association for the Education of Young Children has worked to raise the quality of programs for all children from birth through age eight. A major part of NAEYC's efforts to improve early childhood education is through different systems of accreditation for programs that are committed to meeting national standards of quality

National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)
NAFCC accredits family child care homes that offer high-quality child care services.

National Early Childhood Program Accreditation Commission (NECPA)
NECPA is a non-profit organization that uses an Automated Accreditation Indicator System (AAIS) to ensure that its centers and homes are safe, healthy and nurturing environments for children.

National Afterschool Association (NAA)
NAA’s mission is to be the leading voice of the afterschool profession dedicated to the development, education and care of children and youth during their out-of-school hours. NAA accredits afterschool programs that offer high-quality services.

Support for programs to become accredited is available in Vermont:

Child Development Division offers grants to regulated programs to become accredited. Information about the grants and to download the applications on the Bright Futures Information System website.

For questions about accreditation or mentoring you can call:

• Vermont Child Care Provider Association (VCCPA) at 802-796-4180 or email Cheryl Wells at Cheryl 51162@yahoo.com
• Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children (VAEYC) at (802) 244-6282 or www.vaeyc.org
• Child Development Divison at 800-649-2642 ext. 4551