Choosing the right child care program is a significant decision for families. In Maryland, licensed child care centers and public pre-K programs have the opportunity to achieve Maryland Accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to high-quality early childhood education. This accreditation signifies a program’s dedication to meeting rigorous standards and providing an enriching learning environment for young children. Are you looking for a child care program that goes above and beyond? Understanding Maryland Accreditation can help you identify programs dedicated to excellence.
What is Maryland Accreditation for Child Care Programs?
Maryland Accreditation is a voluntary pathway for licensed child care centers and public pre-kindergarten programs to showcase their commitment to delivering exceptional education daily. It’s a mark of distinction, indicating that a program has met specific quality standards set by the state of Maryland. It is important to note that currently, Family Child Care programs are not eligible for Maryland Accreditation.
Programs seeking Maryland Accreditation engage in a comprehensive process utilizing several key tools:
- Maryland Accreditation Standards: These standards provide a framework for quality in both early childhood and school-age programs.
- Self-Appraisal: Programs conduct a thorough self-assessment, incorporating feedback from staff and families to identify strengths and areas for growth.
- Program Improvement Plan (PIP): Based on the self-appraisal, programs develop a PIP (Program Improvement Plan) to address identified areas for improvement.
- Final Self-Appraisal Review: A subsequent self-appraisal reviews the progress made through the Program Improvement Plan.
- Technical Assistance (Optional): Programs can access optional support through remote or onsite Technical Assistance to aid in their improvement efforts.
- Validation Visit: A validation visit provides observation and feedback to ensure the program meets the Maryland Accreditation Standards.
Key Benefits of Choosing a Maryland Accredited Child Care Program
Choosing a Maryland Accredited child care program offers numerous advantages for children, families, and the programs themselves. These benefits highlight the value of accreditation in ensuring high-quality care and education:
- Maryland EXCELS Quality Rating 5 Eligibility: Accreditation automatically qualifies programs for the highest quality rating (Level 5) in Maryland EXCELS, the state’s quality rating and improvement system.
- Enhanced EXCELS Payments: Higher quality ratings in Maryland EXCELS are linked to increased payments, providing accredited programs with additional resources.
- Access to Accreditation Support Funds: Accredited programs can access Accreditation Support Funds to invest in instructional materials and further enhance their program.
- Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood PLUS Participation: Accreditation opens the door to participate in Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood PLUS, expanding access for military families.
- Increased Staff and Family Engagement: The accreditation process itself fosters greater collaboration and engagement among staff and families, strengthening the program community.
- Demonstrated Commitment to Excellence: Maryland Accreditation publicly demonstrates a program’s unwavering commitment to providing excellent services and contributing to the well-being of families and the community.
Understanding the Accreditation Process for Child Care Programs
The journey to becoming a Maryland Accredited child care program is a structured and supportive process, designed to guide programs towards continuous improvement. The typical timeframe for achieving accreditation is 24 months.
Download a PDF of the Maryland Accreditation Timeline
The 24-month process involves working through each of the Maryland Accreditation Standards, culminating in an Accreditation Decision. Once awarded, Maryland Accreditation is valid for five years, providing long-term recognition of a program’s quality.
Maintaining Accreditation:
- Annual Updates: During the first three years of the five-year accreditation term, programs submit an Annual Update near their accreditation anniversary to demonstrate ongoing compliance and progress.
- Re-accreditation: 24 months before the accreditation expiration date, programs begin the re-accreditation process, starting with a Maryland Accreditation Orientation to prepare for the next accreditation cycle. In the fourth year of the current accreditation cycle, the Annual Update is not required as the program is actively engaged in re-accreditation.
Financial Support for Accreditation: Accreditation Support Funds
Recognizing the investment required for accreditation, Maryland provides Accreditation Support Funds to help programs manage the expenses associated with the accreditation process. These funds are a valuable resource for programs committed to achieving this mark of quality.
Learn More About Accreditation Support Funds
Ready to Start Your Accreditation Journey?
For child care programs in Maryland ready to take the first step towards accreditation, the self-paced orientation is the ideal starting point. This orientation provides a comprehensive overview of the process and requirements.
Access the Maryland Accreditation Orientation
Technical Assistance to Support Your Program
Maryland Accreditation offers valuable Technical Assistance to programs throughout their accreditation journey. Support is available in the following formats:
- Virtual Technical Assistance: Sessions focused on Program Administration (Section 1 of the standards) and Home and Community Partnerships (Section 3).
- Onsite Technical Assistance: Visits specifically designed to support Program Operation (Section 2).
For guidance on requesting and utilizing Technical Assistance, the Maryland Accreditation Online System User Guide is a helpful resource. Access instructions in the Maryland Accreditation Online System Overview video.
Choosing an accredited child care program in Maryland means prioritizing quality early education for your child. Maryland Accreditation signifies a program’s dedication to high standards, continuous improvement, and creating a nurturing and effective learning environment. By understanding the benefits and process of accreditation, families can confidently select programs committed to excellence.
Alt text for images:
- Image 1 Alt Text: A dedicated child care teacher engages with a preschooler at a learning station filled with educational toys in a bright classroom.
- Image 2 Alt Text: Maryland Accreditation Timeline for child care programs, outlining the 24-month process from orientation to accreditation decision and ongoing annual updates and re-accreditation cycle.
