Provider Services
Accreditation
A Giant Step for Quality
Like any accredited school or college, child care programs that are accredited have attained a higher level of professional recognition and distinction than non-accredited programs. Accreditation represents the highest standard of quality child care, and it is awarded to centers and family child care providers who reach beyond the minimum child care standards defined by state licensing and registration agencies to meet standards of excellence.
Program Specialists can talk with you about accreditation requirements and how to access grants to help your program offset the costs associated with accreditation. Child care centers or family child care homes accredited by an association as one whose standards are deemed exceptional by the State of Florida are designated as a Gold Seal Quality Care Program.
The following accrediting associations are designated as Gold Seal:
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National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
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National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)
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National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC)
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Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
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Accredited Professional Preschool Learning Environment (APPLE)
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National Accreditation Council for Early Childhood (NACEC)
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National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NACECEP)
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National School-Age Care Alliance (NSACA)