FAQs About Accreditation Resources & Materials

What is the website for ITERS and ECERS?
The website for the Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale and the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale is www.fpg.unc.edu/~ecers 

Where can I obtain samples of policies for child care services?
Policy templates can be obtained by contacting the Alberta Resource Centre for Quality Enhancement (ARCQE) at 1-780-421-4930 or 1-877-421-4930.
Where do you get training in the use of fire extinguishers?
The use of fire extinguishers is addressed in the Physical Environment Checklist for child care centres. It states, "At least one person who knows how to use the program's fire extinguisher is present in the room whenever children are present." There is no training course; however, technicians from fire extinguisher distributors are willing to train your team on the use of the fire extinguisher. Be sure to record the visit in your portfolio as evidence.

 

FAQs About Re-accreditation

When a child care service goes through the re-accreditation process, does it have to create a new Quality Enhancement Work Plan or does it continue from the old one?
The child care service will go through a Re-accreditation process every three years at which time they will receive a Re-accreditation Review package. The child care service will need to use its previous QEP as a reference to ensure it is demonstrating "continuous" quality improvement. The QEP is a living document that is continually referred to and revised as previous goals are achieved and new goals are set.

Does a service have to have another site visit?
Yes, the service has six months to complete the Re-accreditation Review prior to the site visit.

   

FAQs About Site Visits

How are parents selected for interviews?
The Lead Validator and owner/operator work together to set up interviews with parents. The Validator will randomly select two or three parents. 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.

   

FAQs About Checklists

Do the checklists have to be done in every room?
Yes.
The Physical Environment Checklist needs to be completed in each room of the facility with the results of the Physical Environment Checklists combined onto one checklist.
Only one Practices Checklist needs to be completed for all rooms. 
The Interactions and Daily Experiences checklist must be completed in EACH room.
 Be sure to note which room each checklist applies to.

Does the "What We 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 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"

If a program's lunchroom also serves as a play area for the preschool children while the toddlers are napping, is this considered a separate room?
Yes, this is considered a separate room and should be included in the Physical Environment Checklist.

   

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.