NAEYC Accreditation: Standards and What It Means

Updated November 2026 to reflect NAEYC's redesigned accreditation system.

NAEYC accreditation is a national, voluntary seal from the National Association for the Education of Young Children. It is one of the best-known quality marks for child care centers and preschools, and for decades NAEYC has used it to set a high bar for the field. A program that earns it has gone through a detailed review of its teaching, health practices, staff, family partnerships and leadership, including a visit from a trained NAEYC assessor.

Accreditation is a useful signal. It is not the only sign of quality, and many strong programs choose other paths. Here is what it means and how to use it when you choose care.

What NAEYC looks at

NAEYC's program standards have long been organized into 10 areas, and the organization released updated standards in 2025. The areas cover:

1. Relationships: warm, positive relationships between adults and children.
2. Curriculum: a plan that supports learning in all areas.
3. Teaching: methods that fit each child's age and needs.
4. Assessment of child progress: regular, fair ways to track learning.
5. Health: practices that protect children's health and nutrition.
6. Staff: qualified, trained and supported teachers.
7. Families: respectful partnerships with families.
8. Community relationships: links to local resources.
9. Physical environment: safe, healthy indoor and outdoor spaces.
10. Leadership and management: sound policies, finances and supervision.

How the system works now

In 2025, NAEYC moved to a new Early Learning Program Quality Assessment and Accreditation system with different levels:

• Recognition: a one-year term based mainly on a documentation review, with the possibility of a random site visit.
• Accreditation: a five-year term that includes a site visit by an NAEYC assessor.
• A higher tier for programs that go beyond the accreditation requirements, also on a five-year term.

For a program already running, getting accredited usually takes 12 to 18 months and can take longer. Accredited programs file annual reports and pay annual fees during their five-year term, and NAEYC can ask for more documents or an extra visit if it receives a credible complaint. The cost and staff time are real, which is one reason some good programs do not pursue it.

How to check a program

NAEYC has a public search for accredited programs on its family website. You can also ask a program to show its certificate and the date its current term ends. In Illinois, also look at the program's ExceleRate Circle of Quality and its licensing record. See our guides to ExceleRate Illinois, checking a daycare's license history and the Illinois Department of Early Childhood.

Other accreditations you may see

• NAC: the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs, another national accreditor for centers.
• NAFCC: the National Association for Family Child Care, which accredits home-based programs.
• ExceleRate Illinois: the state's quality recognition system. Every licensed program starts at the Licensed Circle of Quality, and programs can earn Bronze, Silver or Gold. Illinois quality improvement funds can help programs work toward national accreditation.

Accredited vs. licensed

• Licensing is required by the state. It sets minimum standards for safety, ratios and staff checks, and in Illinois it is now overseen by the Department of Early Childhood.
• Accreditation is optional and goes beyond the minimum, with a stronger focus on teaching quality and family partnerships.

A licensed program without accreditation can still be excellent. An accredited program can still have a room that does not fit your child. Visiting is how you find out.

Questions to ask any program

1. Are you accredited by NAEYC or another national group? If not, why not?
2. What is your ExceleRate Circle of Quality?
3. What training and education do lead teachers have?
4. How do you plan curriculum and track progress?
5. How long have the teachers in my child's room worked here?
6. How do you involve families?

For more, see our daycare tour questions and daycare red flags.

Frequently asked questions

What does NAEYC stand for?

The National Association for the Education of Young Children.

How long does NAEYC accreditation last?

Accreditation terms are five years, with annual reports and fees during the term. NAEYC's newer Recognition level lasts one year.

Is NAEYC accreditation required?

No. It is voluntary. State licensing is required.

Should I only consider NAEYC-accredited daycares?

No. Use it as one factor, along with licensing history, staff stability, hours and your own visit.

Visit Children's Land

The best way to judge a program is to see it. Children's Land staff meet or exceed state requirements and complete yearly training, and parents can watch classrooms on monitors at the entrance. Our programs run from infants through private kindergarten. Find a location or contact us to book a tour.

Related reading: Licensed vs License-Exempt Child Care in Illinois.