Approximately 9,700 programs are engaged in seeking accreditation. Programs seeking accreditation undergo an intensive self-study, collecting information from parents, teachers, administrators, and classroom observations. All of this information is independantly reviewed by a team of national experts who grant of defer accreditation.
Accreditation lasts for three years.
The process carefully considers all aspects of the program's provision- including health and safety, staffing, staff qualifications, administration, and physical environment. The greatest emphasis is on the child's relationships with the staff and how the program helps each child grow and learn-intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally.