Frequently Asked Questions

  Frequently Asked Questions(pdf).

What is Accreditation?
Who do I get my accreditation from?
Why should I get accredited?
How do I know if my program is ready for accreditation?
How do I find out more about the different systems?
Where can I find help with my self study process?

1. What is Accreditation?
1. Accreditation is a voluntary process that early childhood centers, family child care programs and school age after school programs can choose to go through. The process involves doing a self assessment which addresses every aspect of the program’s operations. Then trained volunteers observe or validate the program’s self assessment. The observations of the trained volunteers are used along with the program’s self evaluation to make the decision to accredit the program.

2. Who do I get my accreditation from?
1.  In Missouri, early childhood centers, family child care programs and school age programs can choose between state accreditation and national accreditation.
   MOA (Missouri Accreditation) is available to family child care programs, programs serving children 0-5 and school age programs. NAFCC Accreditation
   (National Association for Family Child Care) is a national accreditation for
   family child care programs. NAEYC Accreditation (National Association for the Education of Young Children) is a national accreditation for center based programs serving children 0-5.

3. Why should I get accredited?
1. Accreditation says that your program is committed to quality for children.  This level of commitment sets you apart from the average childcare program.  In Missouri, the Department of Social Services (DSS) recognizes the importance of quality care for children. DSS has authorized an increase in the amount paid to accredited programs for tuition subsidies for low income children. 

4. How do I know if my program is ready for accreditation?
1. NAFCC has developed a readiness tool to assist family child care programs in their decision to pursue accreditation. The Family Child Care Readiness tool can be downloaded at www.nafcc.org/accred/readtool.pdf . You can also contact your local CCR&R to request an accreditation readiness walk through.  They will either assign a member of their staff to assist you or help you contact a local partner such as Educare or Project REACH to do so.

5. How do I find out more about the different systems?
1. For more information on MOA, please visit www.moaccreditation.org . 
   For more information on NAEYC accreditation, please visit www.naeyc.org/accreditation/default.asp . 
   For more information on NAFCC accreditation, please visit www.nafcc.org/accreditation/accreditation.asp .
   

6. Where can I find help with my self study process?
1. Contact your CCR&R for phone technical assistance.  They may also be able to refer you to a Technical Assistance Facilitation project in your area.  Space in these projects is limited due to funding constraints.

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