Accredited child care programs have been recognized as meeting the accreditation standards, which carry positive outcomes for children, families, staff and community. These programs have completed a rigorous self-evaluation process that has been validated through an on-site visit that was conducted by Accreditation of Early Learning and Care Services.
Programs that have achieved accreditation status are issued an accreditation certificate, which is valid for a term of three years. During this period, accredited programs have committed to maintain the accreditation standards at all times, as well as, continue to work on quality improvement in accordance with the program's Quality Enhancement Plan.
Every accredited program is subject to receive an unannounced site visit throughout its accreditation term. This site visit is referred to as the Status Verification Visit.
The Status Verification Visit serves as a means of reassuring programs, families and the child care community that the accreditation standards are in place in an accredited program at any given time, and not only during the scheduled site visits. This Status Verification Visit is unannounced and primarily focuses on assessing: interactions; communications; and relationships between child care professionals and children; as well as, physical indoor and outdoor learning environments.
Important Informtion about the Status Verification Visit
Programs will not receive prior notification of a Status Verification Visit.
The Status Verification Visits last approximately two to three hours, during which time a Validator will complete an observation of the interactions and practices with children. While the focus of the visit is on observations, some documentation may be requested.
There is no fee associated with a Status Verification Visit.
Following a Status Verification Visit, the observations and evidence collected will be evaluated and scored.
The Status Verification visit requires a minimum score of 80 percent. If a program achieves a minimum score of 80 percent, their accreditation term and annual accreditation date will remain the same.
The program will receive a letter from the accreditation agency indicating the outcome of the Status Verification Visit.
Alberta Children's Services will be informed.
If a program does not achieve the minimum score of 80 percent:
The program will be issued a Temporary Accreditation Status notice.
The accreditation agency will complete an unannounced Status Verification Follow-up site visit within six months. The Temporary Accreditation Status will remain in effect until the decision is made on the completed Status Verification Follow-up site visit.
Based on the decision, following the Status Verification Follow-up site visit, the accreditation status will be either reinstated, or revoked as per regular decision process.
Accreditation funding will not be affected during Temporary Accreditation Status; however, it will be impacted if accreditation status is revoked as a result of a failed Status Verification Follow-up site visit.
Refusing the Validator access to complete the Status Verification Visit will be interpreted that the program is no longer participating in accreditation. The accreditation status will be immediately revoked and the Alberta Children's Services Ministry will be notified. The program's file with the accreditation agency will be closed.
