Accreditation

Accreditation is a process that guides child care providers through quality enhancement standards that go above and beyond licensing requirements. To achieve accreditation, the program must offer the kind of care, attention, and educational activities parents look for in quality child care programs. It must offer activities and experiences that will aid in a child's growth and development, and that will help them prepare for school.

MSDE recognizes several different accrediting agencies as aligning with the overall mission and high standard for child care programs and providers in the state of Maryland.

Accreditation can be awarded through one of the following agencies:

• Advanced Education, Inc. (AdvancED)
• American Montessori Internationale/USA (AMI/USA)
• American Montessori Society (AMS)
• Association of Independent Maryland Schools (AIMS)
• Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA)
• Council of Accreditation - After-School Accreditation (COA/ASA)
• Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)
• Middle States Commission - Early Ages (MSCES-Early Years)
• Middle States Commission of Elementary Schools (MSCES)
• National Accreditation Commission (NAC)
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
• National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)
• National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)

Click here to find information on the Accreditation Support Fund.