FAQs

FAQs About Appeals
How do I appeal an accreditation decision? AELCS allows a service to challenge certain determinations in the accreditation process. Download the AELCS Appeal Process for complete information on how AELCS processes an appeal of a decision.
FAQs About Checklists
Does the "What We Need To Do" column on the checklists need to be filled in even if the item is already being addressed? You need to make a comment in the "What We Need To Do" column of the checklists. If the item is observed or is currently being done, then it should state that. Some examples of comments might be: "Has been done" "Is continually observed" "Is in place" "Working on this for consistent practice"
Do the checklists have to be done in every family day home? Yes, both the Physical Environment and Interactions and Daily Experiences checklists need to be completed in every home on each home visitor's caseload.
FAQs About Providers
How do the providers benefit from the accreditation process? Although Providers can not state that they themselves are accredited, they can state that they are contracted with an accredited agency which means that the agency has demonstrated that they meet a high standard of service. Providers also benefit financially. Please visit the Alberta Children and Youth Services website at www.child.alberta.ca for more information about accreditation funding.
Do Family Day Home Providers get accredited? Accreditation status is granted to the Family Child Care Agency. The agencies must demonstrate that they are meeting the ACCAP standards. Providers can state that they are contracted with an accredited agency, but they themselves are not accredited.
FAQs About Site Visits
How are the interviews set up with parents? The Lead Validator and Director work together to set up interviews with parents. The Validator will randomly select 2 or 3 parents from a parent consent list. Only those parents that have consented for interviews will be asked for an interview. The Validators may ask parents if they are willing to be interviewed as they are picking up or dropping off their child. If they haven't already done so, they will need to sign a consent form before being interviewed. The Validators may interview parents by telephone if necessary.
Should Providers have their own Portfolio in the home on the day of the Site Visit to present as their own evidence? Some Providers have chosen to develop their own portfolios that showcase the activities and planning they do in their own homes. This is not a requirement, but it is a good idea.
What is the process for selecting homes for the Family Day Home Agency Site Visit? The family day home agency is required to send in a list of all their contracted family day home providers. Once AELCS receives this list, a random sampling of providers is chosen. While the selection process is random it also considers factors such as length of service with the agency and number and ages of children in care. The Validators use this list to choose the homes to visit. The agency receives 24 hours notice of which day homes were selected. There is one home visited per home visitor/consultant to a minimum of three day homes visited.

Accredited Programs

Day Care Centres

Family Day Home Agencies

Out-of-School Care Programs

Recently Accredited Programs

Online Self-study Guides

On-line Self-study Guides - Information for Child Care Centres

On-line Self-study Guides - Information for Family Child Care Agencies

On-line Self-study Guides - Information for Out-of-School Care Programs

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Research

High Quality Child Care Services

Why Is High Quality Care Essential?

Center On the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning

Occupational Standards for Early Childhood Educators