What is Maryland Accreditation?

Show your commitment to providing the best quality care and education every day.

Maryland Accreditation is a way for licensed child care centers and public pre-k programs to demonstrate their commitment to providing high-quality learning using the following tools: 

  • Maryland Accreditation Standards for early childhood and school age programs
  • Self-Appraisal including input from a team of program staff
  • Program Improvement Plan based on areas of need for improvement
  • Review of program improvements through a Final Self-Appraisal
  • Optional support through participation in remote Technical Assistance
  • Observation and feedback through a Validation Visit

Maryland Accreditation shows families and your community that you are dedicated to excellence. Through accreditation, your program is eligible to achieve a Maryland EXCELS Quality Rating 5, leading the way to increased benefits such as higher Maryland EXCELS payments.

Family Child Care Homes

Currently, family child care homes are not eligible for Maryland Accreditation, but may seek national accreditation through the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC).  Support funds are available to assist family child care providers.

What is the Accreditation Process?

Maryland Accreditation Process Chart

Open the Maryland Accreditation Process Chart to download and print.