Maryland Accreditation is now extended to a five-year term! For detailed information, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions.
Please note that effective July 1, 2024, Maryland Accreditation Standards 1.2.3 and 1.2.4 have updated documentation requirements. Kindly review these changes within the online system.
Understanding Maryland Accreditation for Child Care Excellence
Demonstrate your unwavering commitment to superior education every day.
Maryland Accreditation serves as a distinguished pathway for licensed child care centers and public pre-kindergarten programs to showcase their dedication to delivering exceptional, high-quality learning environments. (Important note: Family Child Care programs are currently not eligible to participate in Maryland Accreditation.)
Programs seeking Maryland Accreditation utilize a comprehensive suite of tools designed to guide them through the process:
- Maryland Accreditation Standards: Specific standards tailored for both early childhood and school-age programs, setting benchmarks for quality.
- Self-Appraisal: A thorough evaluation process that incorporates valuable input from your dedicated staff and the families you serve, fostering a collaborative approach to improvement.
- Program Improvement Plan: A structured plan meticulously developed to address identified areas needing enhancement, ensuring continuous growth and development.
- Final Self-Appraisal Review: A subsequent review to assess the progress and effectiveness of implemented program improvements, marking advancements towards accreditation.
- Technical Assistance (Optional): Access to remote or onsite support to provide expert guidance and resources, facilitating smoother progress through the accreditation journey.
- Validation Visit: An observational assessment providing valuable feedback and validation of program quality, confirming alignment with accreditation standards.
Key Benefits of Achieving Maryland Accreditation
Maryland Accreditation offers significant advantages for child care centers, including:
- Maryland EXCELS Quality Rating 5 Eligibility: Attaining accreditation automatically qualifies programs for the highest quality rating in Maryland EXCELS, signifying premier quality.
- Enhanced EXCELS Payments: Accredited programs benefit from increased financial incentives through higher EXCELS payments, supporting ongoing quality improvements.
- Accreditation Support Funds Access: Exclusive access to Accreditation Support Funds specifically designated for purchasing essential instructional materials, enriching learning experiences.
- Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood PLUS Participation: Eligibility to participate in the esteemed Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood PLUS program, expanding access to military families.
- Strengthened Staff and Family Engagement: The accreditation process inherently fosters greater involvement and collaboration among staff and families, building a stronger community.
- Demonstrated Commitment to Excellence: Achieving accreditation publicly demonstrates your center’s profound dedication to providing exceptional services to families and the wider community, enhancing your reputation and credibility.
Navigating the Accreditation Process
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The comprehensive 24-month accreditation process guides your program meticulously through each Maryland Accreditation Standard, culminating in an official Accreditation Decision, ensuring thorough preparation and quality assurance.
Upon successful award of Maryland Accreditation, your program’s accredited status remains valid for a period of five years, providing long-term recognition of your commitment to excellence.
During each of the initial three years of your accreditation cycle, your program will submit a brief Annual Update near the anniversary date of your award, maintaining ongoing communication and accountability.
Approximately 24 months prior to your accreditation expiration date, your program will commence the re-accreditation process, starting with the mandatory Maryland Accreditation Orientation, ensuring continuous quality improvement and sustained accreditation.
Accessing Accreditation Support Funds
Support funds are readily available to ease the financial aspects of pursuing accreditation, demonstrating a commitment to supporting quality child care initiatives.
Learn more about Accreditation Support Funds and how they can benefit your program.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Embark on your Maryland Accreditation journey by completing the mandatory self-paced orientation, the essential initial step towards achieving accreditation.
Begin Orientation and start your path to program enhancement today.
Utilizing Technical Assistance Resources
Maryland Accreditation provides valuable support for your program through various Technical Assistance options:
- Virtual Technical Assistance: Sessions specifically designed for Program Administration (Section 1) and Home and Community Partnerships (Section 3), offering convenient remote support.
- Onsite Technical Assistance: Personalized onsite visits for Program Operation (Section 2), providing hands-on guidance within your center environment.
For detailed instructions on requesting and managing Technical Assistance, please consult the Maryland Accreditation Online System User Guide, accessible through the Maryland Accreditation Online System Overview video.
