These criteria generally are at a slightly more practical and practicable level than national standards, because they are intended to accredit a fairly broad range of programs of good or superior quality. Organization standards are reflected in the policies and individual administrative and program decision of an organization. Many such standards are not formalized, but have a major impact upon service quality. They are, however, often the most important standards for the children. Personal standards are not permanently fixed.
Community standards are significant determinants of program quality.
In all but very large communities, most organizations, such as day care centers, tend to aspire to a comparable level of quality. Both excellence and sloppiness can be contagious. Because of licensing's limited flexibility and legal authority, licensing requirements generally are set at a basic level much lower than national standards or accreditation criteria. Recognizing extreme oversimplification, one could say that national standards are a Grade A level, accreditation criteria a B, and licensing requirements a C. Of these functions, licensing usually evokes the strongest feelings because it is the most legalistic and the least flexible. Nevertheless, one should not expect licensing staff members to bend the rules.