National Accreditation Improves the Standard of Care in Child Care

This study will investigate the impact that national accreditation has on the quality of care that children receive while in a child care program. A statistical analysis was conducted to compare the total number of non-compliances and serious non-compliances between accredited and non-accredited child care programs. A review of the different processes to obtaining accreditation among the different accrediting bodies was conducted. A survey was also conducted to determine the perceptions about national accreditation within the industry. Finally, this study reviewed and compared the differences in the costs of national accreditation between the different accrediting bodies and funds that are available to assist in the process.