Submit an online enrollment form, accompanied by the enrollment fee, and register for The Online Resource Center Headquarters (TORCH), where you will find information and assistance in meeting the accreditation requirements. Use the Self-Study Kit you will receive after your enrollment to assess your program. Based on your assessment, select your time-line for meeting accreditation requirements from the chart of application cycles and candidacy due dates. Plan and implement any improvements or changes you need to make.
Submit a formal application and the application fee. Conduct a formal assessment of your program and document evidence that it meets NAEYC's program standards and eligibility requirements. Complete the Candidacy Materials, which are available eight weeks before your candidacy due date, and attach any documentation, such as your staff's qualifications.
Submit your completed candidacy materials, along with the candidacy fee. Your materials are reviewed by an accreditation coordinator to check if your program meets all requirements. If your candidacy is accepted, you will be contacted by a NAEYC assessor to set up a site visit. If your candidacy is not accepted, you may resubmit your materials by the next deadline or initiate an appeals process.
Participate in a site visit by a NAEYC assessor. The assessor will evaluate your program's compliance with NAEYC's Early Childhood Program Standards and the eligibility requirements.
Maintain your accreditation by submitting an annual report. Provide NAEYC with information regarding any program changes or events that may impact the program's quality. Renew your accreditation every five years by submitting the required renewal materials.