We appreciate your patience, have heard your feedback and have considered how best to support your programs through the accreditation process this time. Given the impacts of COVID to child care programs, communities and travel, we have made the decision to extend deadlines and provide grace periods. We hope this will allow you to focus on rebuilding your programs in ways that best serve your communities. Below is an outline of the changes to timing expectations and how NAEYC will support you on your journey.
Registration, Enrollment, and Application
All programs in registered, enrolled and applicant status prior to April 2020, have been granted a 1 year extension to continue in your self-study or self-assessment process.
Candidacy and Renewal Programs
Programs in candidacy or renewal and awaiting a site visit status will receive a new six month window. For programs in renewal and awaiting a site visit status, if you have not received a site visit one month before you are due to expire, you will receive a six month extension of your
valid until
date. NAEYC will begin conducting site visits starting September 1, 2020 unless requested sooner.
Annual Reports
Programs that missed their Annual Report due date will be granted a grace period until August 31, 2020 to submit their annual report without a late fee.
Site Visit Protocol Changes
NAEYC recognizes that while site visits will be possible in many places, programs will be operating under new public health mandates. These changes have necessitated adaptations in how NAEYC conducts program accreditation site visits. The updated site visit protocol is accessible on the accreditation Tips and Tools
page
.
We are also here to support you and your team's professional development needs during these difficult times.
NAEYC’s Virtual Institute
is now live. Access over 100 presentations for free, On Demand, until July 17. Membership is not required to take advantage of this opportunity.
Thank you for your commitment to high quality early learning in your communities. Throughout this crisis, we know the educator commitment to children and families has continued in creative and innovative ways. Please visit the
Accreditation Operational Updates
page on our website for the most up to date information. We are here to support you.
