Program Accreditations
Programs earn accreditation through a number of national organizations
Like a Parent Aware Rating, being accredited demonstrates a program’s commitment to providing quality care and education for children.
Parent Aware Ratings help families identify child care and early education programs that are going beyond health and safety standards to prepare children for school and life.
Accreditations offer families an additional way to find quality programs. Similar to the Parent Aware Rating process, programs volunteer for an assessment to earn an accreditation. They must demonstrate that they meet an accrediting organization’s standards and are contributing positively to the growth and development of the children in their care.
Accredited programs are strongly encouraged to apply for a Parent Aware Rating. They are able to go through a streamlined Rating process because requirements for accreditation mirror or exceed those for a Parent Aware Rating.
A number of national organizations offer accreditation. Those recognized by Parent Aware include:
For Child Care Centers:
- Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment (APPLE) for Early Childhood Education Programs
- American Montessori Society (AMS) School Accreditation
- Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Accreditation
- Association of Montessori International (AMI) – Montessori School Recognition
- Cognia
- Council on Accreditation (COA) – Early Childhood Education Program Accreditation
- Council on Accreditation (COA) – Private Organizational Accreditation for Early Childhood Education
- Green Apple Accreditation of Children’s Services (GAACS) – Early Education Center (EEC) Accreditation
- National Accreditation Commission (NAC) for Early Care and Education Programs Accreditation
- National Association for the Education for Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation
- National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA) Accreditation
- National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA)
For Family Child Care Providers: