About AELCS
The Alberta Association for the Accreditation of Early Learning and Care Services (AELCS) is a not-for-profit organization, funded and contracted by Alberta Children and Youth Services to deliver accreditation services to child care programs that have engaged in an intensive self-study of their practices. Our role is to assess child care programs against quality standards of care.
We accredit licensed child care centres and contracted family child care agencies that meet the ten Alberta Child Care Accreditation Program (ACCAP) Quality Standards.
The purpose of the accreditation initiative in Alberta is to raise the standard of child care (ages 0-6) in the province and improve best practices in early learning and child care services. Accreditation supports families through the identification of quality child care.
Research has consistently shown that the provision of high quality care is linked to beneficial outcomes for children, families and the community.
The accreditation process has enormous potential to enhance the quality of child care services; increase the visibility and credibility of the early childhood profession and strengthen the capacity of families, staff, administrators and communities to work together towards better outcomes for children.
Mission Statement
‘To promote and recognize standards of excellence in Early Learning and Care Services through research, education and evaluation.'Vision Statement
‘An accreditation system that ensures children, families and professionals excellence in Early Learning and Care Services.'AELCS Disclaimer
The accreditation credential is awarded based on the information and evidence gathered during the two days of the site visit. AELCS will not accept responsibility for any changes that occur after the site visit within the program or agency that affect the provision of quality child care. AELCS accepts no liability for any actions of an accredited program or agency.Proprietary Rights of Accreditation Materials
A program’s eligibility to become accredited and to maintain accreditation status is linked to the status of the operating license. Therefore, the materials that are purchased by a program to become accredited are owned by the program. They are not owned by any one individual and must not be removed from the program when an individual leaves or when a program is sold. New directors and owners must have access to the program’s accreditation materials in order that they can complete their accreditation process or demonstrate that they are maintaining the ACCAP Quality Standards.
