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National Accreditation
The best indicator of excellence is national accreditation. Child care centers are accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Family and group facilities are accredited through the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC).
National accreditation standards are significantly higher than Montana’s licensing standards. Nationally accredited facilities are evaluated on several criteria, including: quality of relationships between the caregivers, the children, and their families; activities and curriculum offered; staff training; physical environment; health and safety; nutrition; and business practices.
The tangible benefits of becoming an accredited child care program in Montana are:
- Higher reimbursement rates for children receiving the Best Beginnings Scholarship Program. Accredited programs are reimbursed 15% more per day per child than non-accredited facilities.
- Accredited home providers can achieve a Level III on Montana’s Practitioner Registry.