Steps To The Accreditation Process

Step 1: Apply for Accreditation

The child care program submits an application form along with the necessary documentation and the required fee to the Alberta Association for the Accreditation of Early Learning and Care Services. (AELCS)

Step 2: Complete the Self-Study and Quality Enhancement Plan

Once a child care program has submitted a completed application form to AELCS, a Self-study Guide is sent to them. The Self-study Guide will assist the child care service to assess their strengths and to determine areas for improvement in relation to the Alberta Child Care Accreditation Program (ACCAP) Quality Standards. Based on the Initial Review of the self-study (which can take between 2 to 4 months), the child care program will develop a Quality Enhancement Work Plan (QEP), which is submitted to AELCS and Alberta Children and Youth Services. The process of completing the self-study and completing the work of the QEP can take from two to twelve months, but should not take longer than 15 months.

Step 3: Site Visit

The child care program applies to AELCS to request a site visit when it has determined that it is meeting the ACCAP Quality Standards.

A two-member validation team will conduct a site visit to review the evidence the service has collected to demonstrate that it is meeting the accreditation standards.

Step 4: Moderator Review

A Moderator will review the validated documentation and submit a report to the Governing Council with a recommendation to grant accreditation or deny accreditation to the program.

Step 5: Governing Council Decision

The AELCS Governing Council will make the final decision on conferring accreditation status. The time between the Validation Site Visit and the accreditation decision is approximately one month.

Step 6: Maintaining Accreditation

Accreditation is valid for a three-year term at which time a program applies for re-accreditation. Once the child care service is accredited, it is the responsibility of the program to maintain and enhance the ACCAP Quality Standards and meet all reporting requirements to AELCS on an annual basis and within each 3-year period.

The child care service pays an annual fee to maintain accreditation status as well.